Wow, I really love being a missionary. This week number-wise we did ok, but we felt so great about the work we did... and I'm learning it really is all about the Lord's approval. At the end of a day when we write 0 after 0 on the key indicators, and we can still smile and say, wow, today was great, I feel so satisfied... and tired. Always tired :) One miracle was when we were knocking a few days ago this cute old man opened the door and started saying bu yong but we whipped out the hymnbook and started singing Families Can be Together Forever, and it was a sweet moment. I really felt the spirit and afterward when he still closed the door, I felt so good. Also, Sister Jasperson had a prompting we needed to visit an investigator and we called and scheduled for the next day. It's a man so we had a great sister [from the ward] with us, (and here's where one of the "What I would like to change" comes in this week) we sat down with her about 25 min. before the lesson and told her exactly our plan. We also told her that we wanted to refrain from [lengthy, irrelevant] stories and just help him understand the Spirit and his desire to be baptized. And it was an awesome lesson! We had MUCH better unity with her and the spirit I think, than in the past. The Spirit can't be there if we are frustrated or stressed, and usually with members, we get a little frustrated with them sharing (though awesome and touching and testifying) stories that we don't feel really helps with the goal or purpose to build their testimony. But this time, she spoke, she helped us better understand his conflict with baptism, and she was definitely able to bear testimony of the blessings that come from sacrificing to be baptized. It was so awesome to see! Then he came to the fireside on Sunday and I think he liked it. We'll follow up with him this week, but we told out district leader to be ready, because we'll be scheduling an interview soon! This week, I also worked more on making door knocking fun, and it was more fun. We came up with new places to go, we broke up the knocking time, and we sang too. It was better, and I'm excited to keep trying to enjoy it more and more. This week, I also really want to be more willing and jump in at opportunities to make phone calls, lead while biking, and so forth. I realized this week that soon Sister Jasperson might leave and I will have a new companion... and if I'm still in DaTongQu, I really need to know the area :) But I honestly love this area. I've fallen in love with the people, the members in WanDa Ward, and with our little parks and cute little food places. I'm just so happy to be here, and i'm so glad I feel that way. I'm realizing more and more, what a privilege it is to be here, and honestly, I'm realizing, when we turn in our papers and accept our call, we are saying we are willing and accepting of becoming better and coming unto Christ more. It is a huge blessing! Well, this week, like I said, just felt good. I realized I still need to focus, and I'm working on making prayers more meaningful, and I still am doing my hair sometimes while memorizing language phrases, but (it being the beginning of the month) I have had the chance to look back on the past couple months here and realize I've learned a lot. In studying Pearl of Great Price, I'm realizing there is so much I can't even comprehend right now. And through the Book of Mormon, in 2 Nephi, I'm learning the testimony and doctrine Nephi and Jacob knew. Wow, it's a lot, and again, I don't even comprehend all of it, but I'm finding that what I need to comprehend, I do. The Spirit is so powerful and quiet. So quiet and humble that usually I think it goes so gently it's like it is your own thought, but when we really realize, it is NOT our thoughts, it's humbling to see that the Spirit is with us always. And even though we make mistakes, we think of home, or wake up a little late, or get feelings of frustration or stress, He is still by our side. Through the power of the Atonement, we are forgiven for all those things as we try to change and get better. And that is a very humbling thought. | Singing in the RainDowntown TaipeiSkirts have a short life expectancy here |
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AuthorI'm Sister Smith, missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm serving in the Taiwan, Taipei mission until July 2015. Archives
June 2015
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