This week we were able to help an older gentleman in his garden on two occasions. His name is Mihai and he's an investigator. Sora Lund and I went out there with our branch president and got to work. There were a lot of weeds around his plants, and the ground was all dried up and hard, so we got to attack the ground with hoes for a couple hours both days. Even though we were dying in the sun and had the hardest time telling the difference at time between long grass and the garlic that was hidden among it, it was a lot of fun. There was a lot of laughter going on between Sora Lund and I, so much that our branch president kept looking over at us to figure out what was so funny. Pretty much, we just like to be happy and laughing when we work. One of the best moments was when our branch president came over and took a picture of us working. He then said, "Never in my life did I think I would see two American girls working in an old man's garden in Romania. I have to take a picture or my mother won't believe me." We discovered yesterday that he actually did share those pictures with family. Apparently it's quite the sight.
(This is the garden we worked in)
I did something new this week. I sung in the park as a means of contacting. We were trying to advertise our English classes which start tomorrow so we were singing songs in English and handing out little English cards with information about our classes. We made signs that said "Want to understand what we're singing? Come to English!" And then we had the times written down. We had some good contacts that way. I also discovered that it's more awkward than it was in my head! Sora Lund put it well when she essentially said that she's come to find that most of missionary work includes awkward situations, but that's okay. Just embrace it and move forward. My lesson for the week--embrace the awkward.
We gained a new investigator this week. She was a referral. We were only able to meet with her once last week, but she came to church yesterday, and we're working on setting up a time to meet with her again. She really seems interested and has a copy of the Book of Mormon, so hopefully things will continue to progress. Also, did I mention we taught someone the stop smoking program last week? As of yesterday she hasn't smoked for three days! We'll be meeting with her again on Wednesday.
Yesterday, the second counselor in the mission presidency and his wife spoke in sacrament meeting. The counselor, Elder Henniger, said something that stuck out to me, mostly because it's something I'd been thinking about for a good portion of the week. Essentially the thought was this, "We become who we think we are," or "A man is as he thinketh," or to quote the Iron Giant, "You are who you choose to be." We've been told more than once that thoughts lead to actions. If we are constantly beating ourselves up in our minds or continually tell ourselves that we can't do something, it becomes true because we believe it. Remember that you are a child of God, that He has provided a way for you to return to Him and be with Him forever, that we can be forgiven of our sins. All this is true. Write those truths on your hearts and become the person He knows you can be. We do not change instantaneously. Change takes time, but Heavenly Father will mold us. Seek His guidance. He will never lead you astray.
Have a great week.
Sora Adams
(Our lost sole was found!! ;-) )
No comments:
Post a Comment