I’ll start out by saying I’m headed to my 7th area this week! Yep, my
second “one and done.” I will be companions with goofy ‘Ol Elder
Anderson in Killeen. Copperas 1st Ward and YSA.
My new address: 1202 South FM #116 Unit # 11-208 Copperas Cove TX 76522
Ain’t nobody gonna write to that address! I don’t get it either.
I got a call from President Ames on Wednesday and he told me that he felt the Lord would have me be a District Leader this coming transfer. He said he wanted to let me know early because he loves me and wanted to make sure I knew it wasn’t a “demotion” (cause clearly it’s not – there is no ladders in the Lords Kingdom). In my new district there will be 2 missionaries that just finished being trained and will be training. AKA: Greenie Train. So I’ll have a young district! Straight outta the crib!
I kid you not it was one of the hardest logistical things I have ever
done – hurt my head so much. We coordinated the rides with Killeen
Zone as well.
I want to tell you an experience this week that grew my testimony in
the atonement. This week has been extremely stressful for both Elder Judy and I as we’ve been preparing the SMC document, and being in charge of getting our Zone to and from the departing missionary temple trip, new leadership meeting, Elder Falabella conference, and transfers. Through it all I have been on a rollercoaster ride with emotions from “we can do this!” To straight up depressed. Saturday was one of many breaking points. My companion and I weren’t happy with each other because of the stress, and I felt so alone. I couldn’t help but just cry. A couple thoughts were placed in my mind. First was Sister Ames’ promise that if we pray for charity, we will receive it. I did exert the energies of my heart and prayed hard. The other thought was along the lines of, “Please just give me peace!” I prayed hard for peace and to not feel alone knowing I can receive because I read in John 16:
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be
scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I
am not aalone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world.
After, we got back to work and we met with the Fuete family. They are investigators that have been on the fence, haven’t really been keeping commitments. We started to teach the Plan of Salvation, but it just didn’t feel right. I could feel the spirit leading a different way. I asked to open up to Alma 32 because they said their faith in God has been struggling with the passing of a loved one. As we asked if they want greater faith and they said yes, I could feel the spirit drawing them in. After we were done and bore testimony, they committed to read and pray everyday. As the lesson went on, I FELT SO MUCH PEACE. All feelings I was feeling that day disappeared and I felt so much comfort. I felt more love for my companion. I want this always! Always. I’ll do anything to have it.
Christina’s baptism is this Saturday! I’m really sad to miss it, but
I’m glad she made the decision and that everything is in place!
Gena called us this week and said she has been reading the Book of
Mormon every morning and every night! She thanked me for having her read Alma 24 and said it really spoke to her. She also said she has
“had one foot in the door and one foot out of the door of the church,” But she has been praying long and hard to know what to do. She got her answer!! She asked to be baptized on December 11!! That will be the completion of a family to be converted!! That strengthened my testimony in the power of the Book of Mormon!
Kenny came out with us this week with a white shirt and slacks! His
whole countenance just changed so much over the last 2 weeks, everyone can see it! He even called and asked if he could go do service with us at a food pantry and had a great time! Bishop pulled him into his office and next thing we know, KENNY IS GETTING THE PRIESTHOOD!!
Bishop also told us that he committed 2 people to baptism yesterday! Go bishop!
We had a Mission Conference with Elder Falabella of the 1st quorum of the 70 this week and it was awesome! All about how to find more people to teach. We had a small MLC with him beforehand (18 of us) and then afterward we had a bigger MLC with all the Zone Leaders in the mission. I loved it so much, The spirit was so strong. He’s also hilarious! He had us stand up after an hour and do some “exercises” which was just “head, shoulders, knees, and toes” it was so funny.
Before we were headed down south afterward, the poor Hermanas ride canceled….so we talked to president told us to have the Killeen Zone Leaders go with some other Elders and the Hermanas come in the van with us and the Sister training Leaders. Talk about luggage! Haha 🙂
This week was a bunch of lasts for me, and it was bittersweet. Lemme e’splain… No there is too mush, lemme sum up:
Last time collecting numbers till 10pm every Sunday night (actually
I’m pretty stoked to leave that)
Last time going to MLC
Last time calling the missionaries about Transfer Doctrine
Last time going to SMC
Last time putting the SMC document together!!!
Last time driving the minivan
Last time seeing my Wacko buddies
Last time sending in supply requests
Annnnddd the list could go on forever. Many responsibilities I don’t
mind giving up, but others I will miss, like MLC.
This week we needed to find rides to and from the metroplex (2.5 hours away) for:
⭕️ Wednesday:
???? Hermana Ford – Departing missionary temple trip
???? Elders Harris, Brinkerhoff, Barber, Law, Escobar, Williams – New
leadership/followup training mtg
⭕️ Thursday:
???? Us, Killeen Zone Leaders, and our Sister Training Leaders
⭕️ Friday:
???? The whole Zone to and from the Mission Conference
⭕️ This Wednesday:
???? Transfers
I kid you not it was one of the hardest logistical things I have ever
done – hurt my head so much. We coordinated the rides with Killeen
Zone as well.
I have loved my time here in Waco to death and I am very sat to leave it. It’s difficult to not see the full fruits of my labors, but I am
glad to have seen the conversions happen here.
I am excited for my time with Elder Anderson in Killeen and pray that I’ll have charity and be whom he needs me to be.
Elder Householder