This week has been a week
of depression. Elder Carlson received a call this last week from
President Stucki informing him that some parts of the Tacloban mission has been
announced safe and will be reopening in the near future. There are 26 missionaries
returning and Elder Carlson is one of them. After a mere six weeks, the dynamic
duo, the dream team, the self proclaimed "two ties" will be divided.
I guess they decided that this much talent was too much for one area to
handle. It needs to be spread out across the world for the benefit of
Filipinos everywhere. We'll be taking him to the mission office later tonight
and he'll be catching a flight early tomorrow morning. Way sad. I'm
gonna miss this kid like crazy. We've had some amazing experiences this
past transfer and we've made a friendship that will last far beyond the
mission. He'll do well over their in Tacloban though. He'll finally be
able to talk to people again. (something that has been tough for him here). We
heard that he'll be spending quite a bit of time doing service; building
houses, helping out people, things like that. It'll be a great experience
for him.
Other than that, not a lot
has happened this week. Thursday was a pretty tough day. All of our
appointments fell through. Not a single person wanted to talk to us. I
had people refusing to shake my hand, people swearing at us, and all that fun
stuff. It's tough when you see people running into their house after they
notice the missionaries coming, or people (that you have an appointment with)
won't come to the door. Especially when you can hear them talking inside
or you see someone quickly look through the window and then retreat. It
was a tough day. It makes it a lot tougher when I'm the one that has to
do all the talking as well. I kind of have to carry that whole load on my
own shoulders (of course the Lord carries most of it, but it still weighs me
down.) I really wish people could understand the importance of the gospel
in their lives. If they would only give it a chance, they would quickly
realize the change that it would cause in their lives.
Don't worry, there was
still some great things that happened this week. We had the opportunity
to attend stake conference this last Sunday (my second stake conference in the same
steak. I've been here for a while). It was a great experience.
We had some amazing speakers and some amazing musical numbers. The
Cabar choir was supposed to make an appearance, but there was some travel
issues coordinating flights. As I walked in at the beginning of the
meeting, I was met by one of the most beautiful sights. Sitting a few rows from
the front of the gym was the Caras family excitedly waving at me. A few
rows in front of them was Mark and his family reverently awaiting the beginning
of the meeting. It's little things like that that truly make missionary
work that much more worth it.
I just want to share a quick
scriptural thought that I came across during my personal study this week. This
scripture is found in the 15th Section of the D&C. By request, Joseph
Smith inquired of the Lord for John Witmer. He stated the following:
6 And now, behold, I say
unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be
to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.
I just want to
testify to the truthfulness of this scripture. There is nothing of more
worth to us then sharing the gospel and bringing souls unto the lord. This
scripture reaches far beyond full time missionaries. Missionary work brings
happiness to the lives of all regardless of our age, gender, or circumstances.
If we feel like we are not as happy as we can be, follow the admonition
of the Lord and bring souls unto him. In that work, we will find that which is
of the "most worth" to us.
I love missionary work.
I love the Lord.
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