This week has been one that has sure made me sleep well at nights! haha We have had a ton of things happen that are way out of the norm, so it has been a little bit of a struggle. But, it has been a blast to be able to serve, and to make sure that we continue to help the elders and sisters that need it. We had an elder get emergency transferred to the Hayward zone to help a set of elders drive, cause they lost their wallets, and they both had their licences in them. So we had to drive to Oakland and borrow one of the mission trucks, and then come back out to Walnut Creek and load up his stuff, take him out there, and then unload, go back to Oakland to drop off the truck, and then come all the way back in our car to make it to a super last minute lesson that we set up! All in all I'm not even sure how long it took, but I felt like I was loosing hair the entire time! We got it all figured out, and were able to make it in time for our lesson.
Elder Hill has been doing pretty good. I am struggling a little bit, just because he isn't as fluid with the teaching as I felt like elder Fajardo was, but at the same time he has a lot of power that he brings with him from time to time. The investigators seem to really like him, so that is all that matters. We have been having a lot of success lately. We dropped one of our dates for the 11th, but had a miracle happen the next day that replaced it! We got a call from a set of sisters that serve in a part of our area, that has been teaching a young lady for about a month now. She has a date for the 11th set, but has been wanting to go to the YSA Ward lately, so they are going to be switching her over to us this next week. It's crazy how much the lord blesses us with people to teach, so that we can continue to bless others the way that we have been able to bless a few others at this point.
I wish that we could get Tyler's parents to support him! They have been a super big hindrance, and it is starting to get to him lately... We almost lost him this week, because of the pressure that they have been sending his way! He is one that we have been trying to get to recognize that even if they don't support him, that he still needs this in his life. We want them to support him, and to be there next to him, but if they are going to hold him back from it, he is going to have to make a decision for himself what will be the best. His girlfriend Courtney has really been working hard on him too and sending him daily quotes and scriptures for him to read. We found out a few nights ago that he hadn't been reading his scriptures for the past few weeks, and we helped him to recognize that that could be a huge reason for why he hadn't been receiving answers to his prayers! You have got to be reading your scriptures daily along side of prayer, or you are not going to be able to feel the spirit as well as you could if you had been reading! It was a good thing for him to recognized, cause he was able to see the difference in the way that he had been feeling. He was starting to get angry again, and just not wanting to meet with us, but once he did, he felt the spirit again, and so he was able to recognize just how real satan is! He will get at you if you don't put Heavenly Father first! It has been a good last day or two to be able to teach him, and be able to see the difference in his life. He came to church, and is still preparing for the 28th. Just trying to get his parents to support him a little more. It will all work out!
Deniella is really trying to work towards her date too. She is just still struggling to get an answer! I kinda wonder if she is still worried about it, or if she is just worried about telling everyone that she got one! We shall see. I am really hoping that she is going to be able to come out with the fact that she has received a spiritual witness, and that she is going to keep working towards the date of the 28th also. It may be the 29th, cause she doesn't want to share a day with Tyler haha. We will just keep praying for her, and see how it all goes!
Well it officially is under a month till I come home.. I am really getting to the point where I am starting to get excited about it. I am stoked to be able to come and see everyone and spend time with you again, but it's just so hard to even think about not being here with these people that I have grown to love. I honestly never though that I would say that I love California, but I love it here. Don't think I could live here, but man has this last year and a half been amazing! I have met so many people that have just changed who I am, and changed the way that I see the world! I don't think I will ever be able to forget these times. Part of my heart will always reside here in the bay area! This will be the place where my testimony was formed, and transfigured into what it is today! I wish I could truly put into words the way that I am feeling, but it just isn't happening.. My journal has turned into the large plates of Nephi, because I just have never felt this happy in life, and so I have no idea how to write it, to make it even come close to the way that it really is! I have changed in ways that I didn't think I would ever change! I feel closer to the spirit then I have ever felt in life before also. One of the best parts of my mission, has been the fact that I have learned how to much better follow the spirit! I feel it almost all the time, as long as I don't do something that drives it away. That is probably the thing that I get the most frustrated with, is the fact that I still struggle with even the smallest things that make the spirit leave for small amounts of time. I know that we all do that, but it has just got so frustrating to struggle with it, and not be able to ALWAYS have the spirit with you! We have it most of the time, but judgmental thoughts come into your mind, or you aren't exactly obedient, and the spirit by command can't be there! It has been a good lesson to learn! I love being a full time missionary! I can't believe that it is about to come to an end. I will miss it for the rest of my life! Thankfully missionary work is always right around us, and that is going to be the thing that will keep me going strong! I look forward to still being a missionary at all times when I am home.
Well it's time to end this one. I feel like it is larger then usual. Haha the sister missionaries that are usually here emailing haven't gotten here yet, so we have been able to focus and get a good email out quickly before we get distracted with talking! haha Guys I love doing what I am doing! I am so thankful for all that you have done for me! For those who helped mom write letters for my 12 days of Christmas, thank you sooo much! I have gotten through a few of them, and they are treasures to me! I am so thankful to everyone that has helped me over the years to become the person that I am. You all deserve a personal spot in the Celestial Kingdom for putting up with me in High School! Thanks for never giving up on me! I will be forever grateful to you all! I love this Gospel! I love the Lord! The Scriptures will change all of our lives if we will just allow them . Don't forget what the true meaning of Christmas is, and remember to pray for those who don't have what we have! Love you all! Talk to you next week!
Love Elder Shelley
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