Wow. Incredible week. Today is p-day (obviously!). Thanks so much for the letters! 1st three days=study, study, study. Met our amazing district and teachers. Love. them all. A lot of them are from Utah, my companion, Sis. Ramstedt, is from PG. She's a professional photographer, quirky, very understanding, and not overly perky. There is not one person I love or like more or less than anyone else. It's a little strange. But it's true. I love it! ...
One of the elders in our district (one of 3 in our district going to New Jersey, the rest of us are headed to SC), is the golden missionary and the happiest, most helpful, most informed, most humble, hilarious elder. Oh and he acts. He's fresh out of HS and so eager and been preparing so diligently for his mission. He also reminds me of James so it makes me happy to see him. Another elder busted his foot playing volleyball and has to wear a boot for 2 weeks. We really hope he gets to come with everyone else--we leave the MTC on monday at 3:30am. ....
The first time we met our second investigator, it felt like de-javu with some people from the lab in WI. Stubborn. No need for God. Talk about banging your head on a wall. Okay, actually, looking back, there was soo much I learned from him and respecting others beliefs. We went through so many lesson plans and possibilities of anything that would have the smallest sliver of connecting with him for our second meeting but we were sure they would each be bashed on. The day and a half between our meetings with him were very humbling. We came to a VERY clear realization that we are not there to convert or even convince in the least that anything we say is right but that we are there solely to invite him to come unto Christ, simply to bring him closer. And if that only means a million little mini mustard seeds that won't grow for many years, that's okay. We invited and we talked of Christ, we preached of Christ, we rejoiced in Christ and all that He's done. We did not down-play that one bit. We met with him a second time last night and ended up having a short meeting with him (about 15 min), but guess what? He PRAYED! YES!!!!! That made not my night, not my day, not just my week, that made at least my month! (the only thing that made it even better was going to the Temple). Guess what made it click so that he was willing to? I bore my testimony of you (mom and dad) teaching me how to pray. How us (missionaries) are not big religious experts, that we are regular people who are inviting others to partake. I told him how you seem....
I thought I couldn't cram any more into my head after the first 3-4 days but after that, my comprehension seems to more easily expand. Aside from the Temple and sharing my experiences, P-day is actually my least favorite day....I love teaching. We have in-field orientation tomorrow, basically a full "day in the life of a missionary", not just studying and classes and training. Real life. ....
One of the elders in our district (one of 3 in our district going to New Jersey, the rest of us are headed to SC), is the golden missionary and the happiest, most helpful, most informed, most humble, hilarious elder. Oh and he acts. He's fresh out of HS and so eager and been preparing so diligently for his mission. He also reminds me of James so it makes me happy to see him. Another elder busted his foot playing volleyball and has to wear a boot for 2 weeks. We really hope he gets to come with everyone else--we leave the MTC on monday at 3:30am. ....
The first time we met our second investigator, it felt like de-javu with some people from the lab in WI. Stubborn. No need for God. Talk about banging your head on a wall. Okay, actually, looking back, there was soo much I learned from him and respecting others beliefs. We went through so many lesson plans and possibilities of anything that would have the smallest sliver of connecting with him for our second meeting but we were sure they would each be bashed on. The day and a half between our meetings with him were very humbling. We came to a VERY clear realization that we are not there to convert or even convince in the least that anything we say is right but that we are there solely to invite him to come unto Christ, simply to bring him closer. And if that only means a million little mini mustard seeds that won't grow for many years, that's okay. We invited and we talked of Christ, we preached of Christ, we rejoiced in Christ and all that He's done. We did not down-play that one bit. We met with him a second time last night and ended up having a short meeting with him (about 15 min), but guess what? He PRAYED! YES!!!!! That made not my night, not my day, not just my week, that made at least my month! (the only thing that made it even better was going to the Temple). Guess what made it click so that he was willing to? I bore my testimony of you (mom and dad) teaching me how to pray. How us (missionaries) are not big religious experts, that we are regular people who are inviting others to partake. I told him how you seem....
I thought I couldn't cram any more into my head after the first 3-4 days but after that, my comprehension seems to more easily expand. Aside from the Temple and sharing my experiences, P-day is actually my least favorite day....I love teaching. We have in-field orientation tomorrow, basically a full "day in the life of a missionary", not just studying and classes and training. Real life. ....