Ridiculously hard, obviously challenging, but most of all a blessing to those who have the opportunity to serve a mission. I have had a rough transition and have not enjoyed it all. The MTC is a training centre though so do not be thinking it is all rough, as I said it is a blessing.
My companion is Elder Fitzhugh, he is amazing. Today we had our first legit teaching session with Troy. Troy is from Louisville, Kentucky. Troy believes in god but has trouble with his faith, in that Our Father in Heaven Answers his Prayers. We taught about how our Father in Heaven is our literal Father, we ARE his CHILDREN. We explained how much he loves us. I mean he gave his only begotten, Jesus Christ to come down and bear all trials and afflictions we may go through on this Earth. We shared scriptures like Alma CH 7. V.11- it reveals that Jesus Christ literally went through everything we might face on this Earth in detail. We invited him to pray with us that instant, we got on our knees and had a prayer. We prayed that Troy may feel the spirit and the love God has for us. After we asked him how he felt and he went on to say it was good but he still isnt sure. We later invited him to get baptized and he obliged, contingent that he read the book of mormon and prayed to know of its surety and even just simply praying to know that his Father loves him and wants him to communicate whatever his heart may desire.
Interestingly enough i received a calling last night in our meeting with the branch presidency. President Christensen called me to be District Leader. My responsiblities include conducting our study sessions by calling on an Elder to say an opening/closing prayer, and a hymn. I still do not yet know what it all entails but it definitley adss a whole lot of stress! For instance an Elder in our district had a couple items that are prohibited in the MTC and even in the field. The first night he told me about it and i brushed it off, but with my calling it is my responsibility to take care of the district an ensure we are all being as obedient as possible. i started our wee interview with that " I love you Elder .., and its our duty to be Jesus Christs' ambassadors not what we were at home. i told him that its all part of the sacracfice an encouraged him to get rid of the items ASAP! to my suprise he agreed and accepted what the Districts concerns are. I told him that im not trying to be difficult but again its a small sacrafice compared to our purpose as a missionary. I ended the interview by again saying i appreciate his service but dont expect him to disrepect me because of what my concerns are as District Leader, simply that its part of my responsibility and duty to our Sitrict and Branch Presidency.
I have learned alot but most of all that my purpose as a missionary isnt just to invite others to come unto christ but to love the people i serve, and invite the spirit in their homes so that they may feel that and i know they will want that in their lives just as much as i do.
i should mention our District include my Companion and I, along with three other companionships making that 8 Elders in my District being that i preside over 7 other elders.
along with other interviews I conducted I spoke with other Elders in the District. It was basic, but consisted of me asking questions like, " How are you doing so far? Any issues or concerns with your companion? Do you need anything at all? and ended with some a little more companionship help between them and their comp.s.
i know this email is dumb but its hard to sit down and know what to share considering everything is soooooooo structured and I really dont like it but I know it is for my benefit in the field so ill deal with it a wee while longer.
One Experience i did have though (which was today) in class was awesome....
Part of being a Missionary Of Jesus Christ is to be able to tap into the spirit and recognize when youre recieving revelation. We were asked to read the first six verses of the Book of mormon but even befor that write down some questions on what the lord can help us with or what the Lord might want us to know a few examples. " what can i do to be more effective? What do YOU want me to know before i leave the MTC? How can i love my district more? Ect..." in Verses 5 and 6 its great because Nephi is talking about when his father Lehi prayed unto the Lord an it wasnt until he prayed on behalf of his people (My District) that the Lord showed him a vision. In a way i recvieved revelation that very moment!!!! Its not about how i can figure out better ways to serve the district but to Pray for them! not me and what i can do but again Pray for them and their needs and rely completley on the Lord, i know ill be able to love my district more, Pray for the people whom im serving not for me and how i can serve them because the Lord will provide those answers!
Until next week.... Elder Binns
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