I have had a week of a lot of growth and a lot of healing this time around. It's been really good, and really needed to be honest. Getting everything ready has been just back-breaking and difficult and I've just been yearning to finish some of the big tasks that I have to do and then go back to being a real missionary, but I had no idea how far in I'd caved on myself in these past couple of weeks. Because of so much office work, I haven't been doing really any of the basic facets of missionary work, but then about three or four days ago, I started to find ways to take back the missionary life from the hands of administrative duties, and the process has been painful, but healing. It starts with studies and stronger prayers, and is developing into greater interest in our areas, the wards, our District, and even the missionaries that aren't here.
Now that I'm feeling a lot better, I realize that so much of what we need to bring the Spirit more powerfully into our lives are things that we already know. I started to play General Conference talks while working here in the office and then really strive to do as President Uchtdorf suggests and use them as a mirror by which I can judge myself, along with the scriptures, and the result has been wonderful. I realized that God doesn't view our mistakes, failures, imperfections, and poor attributes in the same ways that we do. The words of ancient and modern Prophets and Apostles helped me to see my own imperfections better and instead of being crushed by debilitating guilt, I was really helped to make small changes and feel alleviated. I know that God's servants speak His words and that by the Spirit, they carry His feelings and sentiments to us. I have felt Him in prayer in bedrooms and office waiting rooms, I have heard Him in this crowded office building and listened to His counsels in the midst of storms. That is the beauty of this Gospel and our Father; they are with you wherever you may be, if you listen closely enough.
So, that's how I am and how I've been feeling this week. It's strange because I'm really feeling many of the same feelings that normally accompany the New Year but a week or two late.... I love feeling the surging change and opportunity for great things. And so now we will see some great things happen here in our areas and in our District.
As far as WHAT I've been doing this week, I have finally finished all of the documents that the mission will be using for the next year! Yes!!!! I'm so excited to update these this Monday (paritally because as part of our new system, I do almost NOTHING!)
We also have some housing changes so that I think that the majority of houses in our mission have AC to suffer the summer with. That's been a trial, but the Lord has shown some great light on things. I realized though that I need to be better about saying no and making better decisions about what happens. And managing my time. Those might be the same struggles as I've always had here in the office.....
And then we're preparing for changes!!! With lots of help of course. Hermana McMullin has been buying the things that we need and we've been getting a lot of work done so that everyone has not only somewhere to live but all the living supplies they might need on top.
Proselyting..... Still no. But this week we'll be getting out!
Anyways, that's the biggest update that I have this week. The only P-day activities of today were cleaning the house and going out to KFC- because they built the second KFC ever in Paraguay right near us. Also, in cleaning the house, Elder Aldaraca decided to clean up the back yard (which is all concreted over). He got all the weeks and branches and things that there were and piled them together and got my help as we- parental discretion advised -proceeded to attempt to burn the entire pile. It was an incredibly foolish idea, but we were succeeding until it just took too long and we had to put it out so we could go and eat. I still smell like some really nasty smoky fire. And that's after taking a second shower... I hope I don't have to teach anyone a really awkward lesson about the Word of Wisdom tonight. ;)
I thank all of you for all of your letters and support. You all keep me going and your prayers make miracles happen over here. Have a wonderful week, and let me know if there's anything you'd like to know.
Love,
Elder Harris
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