Wow, it is transfer 4 already (to put things into perspective with those of you whose lives aren't counted in transfers, I have 12 transfers total. Ah!!)
MUSINGS-Well, this week was long, hard, but so good too. Funny how often those attributes coincide. This we (like the past few weeks) we've just been contacting, trying to find new investigators. People either don't live in our area or don't want to set up, but I'm really learning that maybe Heavenly Father sends people to DaTong to work or play just so they can meet us and the missionaries where they live can get in contact with them. It's good. It's hard not having investigators progressing toward baptism. That is probably the hardest part right now. We have people who will meet with us but will not or have not yet set a date. We have a few we are hopeful for that this week, if they pick up their phone or respond on facebook, that we can meet with them and set dates... get them really moving on their way to salvation.
CHARITY- I'm excited for this month as we together focus on developing Christ-like attributes, but particularly charity. Charity for members and everyone! Charity really is a miracle feeling. We are told to pray for charity and in doing so has really strengthened my testimony in prayer. I have had moments when I just feel so much love for a person I just want them to be happy and accept the gospel so they can recieve the blessings and we can live together for eternity! :) But then agency comes, and I'm very grateful we have agency. But boy is it hard to accept that others have agency and even if they've had spiritual experiences they still sometimes choose to not pursue this course. Really though, our companionship might be the biggest success this week, which I think is okay. We really trust each other, and share about our feelings, promptings, and thoughts. I'm realizing the Sprit works so subtly through our thoughts sometimes and when we share them the Spirit can then testify that it's a good thing to do and we can do it! Wow, this week was just great recognizing moments of unity and improving moments of not so much unity. I love Sister Sun so much! She is so precious, and I think one of the biggest things that changed is we are no longer afraid of a language barrier. While she tries to speak lots of English and I try to speak mostly Chinese, we can understand each other if we have to express ourselves in our native language.
Doctrine and Covenants- I h ave goals of finishing reading D&C this transfer and I've really loved it. It has SO MUCH about missionary work and hope that this work will continue. Many warnings too, about raising standards and repenting, and relying on the Lord because He really is coming soon. I hope that you can all are always finding ways to step it up. We live in the last dispensation to prepare the way for Christ to come again. We ought to strive to live celestial lives (I know that seems high, but it's ultimately what we are working towards, right?) Find those things in your life that are not helping you grow closer to the Savior by serving others, developing talents, developing your testimony, or encouraging others to come unto Christ, think about what it is making you into. Just a thought. I've started noticing things I can always improve, but isn't it so great that Christ WANT us to improve, will HELP us improve, and is BY US the whole time? Love this gospel. It's true, 2 Nephi 26:24, EVERYTHING Christ did and does is for the benefit of the world.
I'm excited for this week of adventures, miscommunications, rejections, acceptions, English class, and miracles. This is truly the most amazing work I've ever seen, and we are so lucky to not just be on the front row, but participants in this miraculous, eternal work! I love you all so much!!!! Hope you're all getting ready for a great school year, because it WILL be awesome! Keep the faith, and keep serving.
Love, Sister Smith
MUSINGS-Well, this week was long, hard, but so good too. Funny how often those attributes coincide. This we (like the past few weeks) we've just been contacting, trying to find new investigators. People either don't live in our area or don't want to set up, but I'm really learning that maybe Heavenly Father sends people to DaTong to work or play just so they can meet us and the missionaries where they live can get in contact with them. It's good. It's hard not having investigators progressing toward baptism. That is probably the hardest part right now. We have people who will meet with us but will not or have not yet set a date. We have a few we are hopeful for that this week, if they pick up their phone or respond on facebook, that we can meet with them and set dates... get them really moving on their way to salvation.
CHARITY- I'm excited for this month as we together focus on developing Christ-like attributes, but particularly charity. Charity for members and everyone! Charity really is a miracle feeling. We are told to pray for charity and in doing so has really strengthened my testimony in prayer. I have had moments when I just feel so much love for a person I just want them to be happy and accept the gospel so they can recieve the blessings and we can live together for eternity! :) But then agency comes, and I'm very grateful we have agency. But boy is it hard to accept that others have agency and even if they've had spiritual experiences they still sometimes choose to not pursue this course. Really though, our companionship might be the biggest success this week, which I think is okay. We really trust each other, and share about our feelings, promptings, and thoughts. I'm realizing the Sprit works so subtly through our thoughts sometimes and when we share them the Spirit can then testify that it's a good thing to do and we can do it! Wow, this week was just great recognizing moments of unity and improving moments of not so much unity. I love Sister Sun so much! She is so precious, and I think one of the biggest things that changed is we are no longer afraid of a language barrier. While she tries to speak lots of English and I try to speak mostly Chinese, we can understand each other if we have to express ourselves in our native language.
Doctrine and Covenants- I h ave goals of finishing reading D&C this transfer and I've really loved it. It has SO MUCH about missionary work and hope that this work will continue. Many warnings too, about raising standards and repenting, and relying on the Lord because He really is coming soon. I hope that you can all are always finding ways to step it up. We live in the last dispensation to prepare the way for Christ to come again. We ought to strive to live celestial lives (I know that seems high, but it's ultimately what we are working towards, right?) Find those things in your life that are not helping you grow closer to the Savior by serving others, developing talents, developing your testimony, or encouraging others to come unto Christ, think about what it is making you into. Just a thought. I've started noticing things I can always improve, but isn't it so great that Christ WANT us to improve, will HELP us improve, and is BY US the whole time? Love this gospel. It's true, 2 Nephi 26:24, EVERYTHING Christ did and does is for the benefit of the world.
I'm excited for this week of adventures, miscommunications, rejections, acceptions, English class, and miracles. This is truly the most amazing work I've ever seen, and we are so lucky to not just be on the front row, but participants in this miraculous, eternal work! I love you all so much!!!! Hope you're all getting ready for a great school year, because it WILL be awesome! Keep the faith, and keep serving.
Love, Sister Smith