This week Elder Holland came to visit us, and it was awesome! It was absolutely fun. He started by sharing his gratitude for us missionaries. He talked about all the things we need to have as missionaries. One thing he said that was funny, he said, "I don't need you guys to be all that serious all the time, but I do need you guys to be faithful!" He mentioned that when he shook our hands, he'd look into our eyes and like interview each of us. He looked at me a lot during the talk, and he also said, don't get an ulcer trying to be a perfect missionary. Well dang, I think I've already screwed that one up! Ha Ha! Actually that comment meant a lot to me, because that's one of the biggest things I worry about always trying to be the best missionary I can.
Elder Robins from the Seventy also talked. His thoughts gave me hope. Ever since I was a kid, ya know, I realized I was't athletic, I wasn't popular, then I always wanted to make something of my life and prove people wrong. I want to be successful, and I know I have to work hard. I have tried to work so hard as a missionary and to make the most of my opportunity to serve. But it kind of makes me worry sometimes that I'm not doing enough, I'm trying to be a perfect missionary, but I'm not. So I really needed to hear what he shared about hope. Elder Holland talked about this is the best works we'll ever do. This is where we teach individuals, families, and many many people, I understand, and it helped me minimize my fears about wanting success, help me realize that it's insignificant.
He talked about the Savior, and he said we don't have any reference in the scriptures that say He laughed. But he said, I know he laughed. That's good, life is hard, and I need to laugh more, I guess. And then he went on to say that we have many references in the scriptures that he wept. And that was powerful.
He thanked us again for being missionaries and shared this, "It's the most revolutionary time of your life" He said, "The thought of NOT going on a mission makes him scared." He said, "Everything I am is a result of going through the portal of a mission" He talked bout a recent convert was in a class and the teacher asked, "who's perfect!" And the convert said, "the missionaries." Then he got loud and said, "You missionaries DO NOT have the right to change what people think of you! You DO NOT have the right!" He said it multiple times. We have a title to live up to, and a name, even Jesus Christ. Of course we are not perfect. He said, "When missionaries don't get it, I go ballistic! I bounce off the walls, I get electrocuted from spitting into the microphone!" He went on to give us training.
He talked about Nichademas in the Bible, he was a Saduces, He was one of the best of the Jews. He came in the night, why did he come in the Night? Because there was conflict there. He said, if the Pope wanted to talk to the prophet, he'd come in the night wearing a hoodie (he even said the word hoodie) Ha ha. He talked about how Jesus taught Nichademas about rebirth, and Nichademas says, should I go back in my mother's womb? Jeffrey R Holland said, "Now that is the dumbest question in all recorded scripture." The way he said it sounded like dad when he gets frustrated, like that is the dumbest thing I have ever seen! I don't know, but the way he said it sure reminded me a lot of dad.
He went on and discussed with us the story of the Woman at the well, and a couple other stories from the Bible. And he just had such a way of explaining things in real modern language. He was able to liken the scriptures to our day so well. It kind of made me think how dumb we all are at times, and how hard our Father in Heaven is working to help us. Like he's telling us exactly where to lay the puzzle piece if we'd just listen. And it's not until we fit it in that we finally see His hand in the process and the final product.
He talked about how missionaries come out so strong and they slowly end up tapering off, and can become stagnant. He said, "They come out of the MTC like they were launched from a canon" and after the year mark they can start to slow down. He said, "No one ever in the world got a prize for how they started."
That's about all my notes from Elder Holland's talk. It was awesome.
We met some potential investigators named the Hernandez's. So if you guys could pray for them that would be great! We have a lesson with the Sherwood's tonight, I am excited! We'll try to get them to church. Nicole is loving it. She's coming to church, she still needs to quit smoking and move out. But she's going like visiting teaching. She just loves the church, she just needs to change her circumstances a little. Pray for Chopper, it's hard to get in with him! Other than that it's been a pretty normal week.
Love you guys, have a wonderful week.
Ba-bye.
Elder Robins from the Seventy also talked. His thoughts gave me hope. Ever since I was a kid, ya know, I realized I was't athletic, I wasn't popular, then I always wanted to make something of my life and prove people wrong. I want to be successful, and I know I have to work hard. I have tried to work so hard as a missionary and to make the most of my opportunity to serve. But it kind of makes me worry sometimes that I'm not doing enough, I'm trying to be a perfect missionary, but I'm not. So I really needed to hear what he shared about hope. Elder Holland talked about this is the best works we'll ever do. This is where we teach individuals, families, and many many people, I understand, and it helped me minimize my fears about wanting success, help me realize that it's insignificant.
He talked about the Savior, and he said we don't have any reference in the scriptures that say He laughed. But he said, I know he laughed. That's good, life is hard, and I need to laugh more, I guess. And then he went on to say that we have many references in the scriptures that he wept. And that was powerful.
He thanked us again for being missionaries and shared this, "It's the most revolutionary time of your life" He said, "The thought of NOT going on a mission makes him scared." He said, "Everything I am is a result of going through the portal of a mission" He talked bout a recent convert was in a class and the teacher asked, "who's perfect!" And the convert said, "the missionaries." Then he got loud and said, "You missionaries DO NOT have the right to change what people think of you! You DO NOT have the right!" He said it multiple times. We have a title to live up to, and a name, even Jesus Christ. Of course we are not perfect. He said, "When missionaries don't get it, I go ballistic! I bounce off the walls, I get electrocuted from spitting into the microphone!" He went on to give us training.
He talked about Nichademas in the Bible, he was a Saduces, He was one of the best of the Jews. He came in the night, why did he come in the Night? Because there was conflict there. He said, if the Pope wanted to talk to the prophet, he'd come in the night wearing a hoodie (he even said the word hoodie) Ha ha. He talked about how Jesus taught Nichademas about rebirth, and Nichademas says, should I go back in my mother's womb? Jeffrey R Holland said, "Now that is the dumbest question in all recorded scripture." The way he said it sounded like dad when he gets frustrated, like that is the dumbest thing I have ever seen! I don't know, but the way he said it sure reminded me a lot of dad.
He went on and discussed with us the story of the Woman at the well, and a couple other stories from the Bible. And he just had such a way of explaining things in real modern language. He was able to liken the scriptures to our day so well. It kind of made me think how dumb we all are at times, and how hard our Father in Heaven is working to help us. Like he's telling us exactly where to lay the puzzle piece if we'd just listen. And it's not until we fit it in that we finally see His hand in the process and the final product.
He talked about how missionaries come out so strong and they slowly end up tapering off, and can become stagnant. He said, "They come out of the MTC like they were launched from a canon" and after the year mark they can start to slow down. He said, "No one ever in the world got a prize for how they started."
That's about all my notes from Elder Holland's talk. It was awesome.
We met some potential investigators named the Hernandez's. So if you guys could pray for them that would be great! We have a lesson with the Sherwood's tonight, I am excited! We'll try to get them to church. Nicole is loving it. She's coming to church, she still needs to quit smoking and move out. But she's going like visiting teaching. She just loves the church, she just needs to change her circumstances a little. Pray for Chopper, it's hard to get in with him! Other than that it's been a pretty normal week.
Love you guys, have a wonderful week.
Ba-bye.