This week was a good week! Not a lot happened proselyting wise, but WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!!! WOO HOO!!!! :D :D :D :D I was honored that Amy asked me to do the baptism. That went off wonderfully! And it was just a really good week to help the zone and grow together.
So on Monday we spent some time just as the zone, getting to know each other and playing sports and other fun games. I love being able to associate with just amazing spiritual giants! As well as have some fun and burn off missionary stress. I really hope my brothers notice a difference in my B-ball skills when I get home ;) I've been working hard. Then after our zone activity, we went to a huge 3 zone activity with sports and playing music and that was really fun too. Getting to see other missionaries in the Pocatello area is always nice. All in all it was a good day. I got my cardio work out in (I still hate cardio) and it was just a great day. Today for P day we are going to play Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee as a zone activity and then probably go to the big 3 zone activity as well. :) So much running... :/
On Tuesday we had a District meeting and there were some awesome Training's given all about being prepared for baptisms and how we can create a more spiritually uplifting environment for ourselves and for our investigators. It's nice to not be in charge of District meetings but still be able to give input and help out. :) Tuesday we also had the baptismal Interview for Amy :) She, because of some past things in her life she has worked through, was interviewed by President Hoyjberg, a counselor to President Brinkerhoff. That man is a spiritual and physical giant! He stands at 6'8" probably 300 pounds. And when he enters the room you can just feel his love for you and his love for God. He spoke to us a little bit about the Savior and how as members of the Church we are never forgotten. Our names are kept that we can be remembered and looked after. Also that we are not strangers anymore, but fellow citizens in Christ. It was awesome. Then he excused us and visited with Amy for a little bit. After 10 minutes he invited us back in and gave the O.K for us to proceed with the Baptism. :) :)
Wednesday we had another District meeting for the other district in our zone. This again was a great meeting. In fact, it was especially good because President and Sister Brinkerhoff came! They came to watch and provide input and counsel. In my 21 months as a missionary, I have never had President and Sister Brinkerhoff come to a District Meeting. It was intense. We had a role playing practice where we pretended to be investigators and other missionaries had a lesson with us and would invite us to do things. That happens frequently as a missionary but it’s always good to re-practice and receive inspiration on what we could do in that situation.
Thursday was weekly planning and running errands for the zone. Getting Supplies, handing out stuff and all around just being busy. And because our zone is so huge it takes us most of the afternoon to get all of that done. Yay for busy work. It’s good though because it gives us a chance to visit with the members of our zone and see how they are doing. :)
I think Friday was our first normal day and we spent it working hard in our area trying to make up for all the lost time doing other things. A lot of our investigators were sick and cancelled on us but we were able to visit with a couple of them or at least stop by and say hi.
Then Saturday was the Baptism of Amy and Sunday was the Confirmation as well as a Fireside we were able to go to.
Now there are some more questions that my Dad has asked me to answer...
1. What advice would you give your brothers as they are preparing to serve missions?
-My advice is to do everything you can to be worthy and prepared for your call. Respect others; be open and willing to talk to your friends and others about the gospel. Read the Scriptures every day and Preach My Gospel. I will be honest when I came out on my mission I didn't fully understand the Restoration, of the Plan of Salvation, or the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In all my Seminary and Church I never understood the importance of it or the doctrine behind it. So Study PMG (at least chapter 3) and understand the Doctrine and Principles it teaches. Then pray to know if they are true. Many can discredit what you say. But no one can touch your testimony.
2. Having served in areas with lots of sisters, what unique qualities do sisters bring to missionary work?
- Sisters just have the ability to get into places and teach people that elders never could. It’s a lot harder to say no to a pretty sister than an awkward elder. They also have different insights and ways of thinking about things. They are inherently more spiritual and hard working. They can do in 18 months what it takes elders 24 to do. :) They are just awesome!!
3. What is the greatest personal lesson you have learned during your 2 years in the mission field?
-That's a hard one, but I think the greatest lesson I've learned during my time as a missionary is the importance of hard work. Not just hard work, but putting your whole soul into something. To really giving everything you have to a task. Whether that is in Missionary work, or schooling, or just life. If we want the blessings of Heaven we can't simply sit and wait for them to drop out of the sky. We need the Lords help of course. It was put best to me like this. "When you pray, pray as if everything depends on the Lord. Then rise up and work as if everything depends on you" I've found that the Lord is willing to work as hard in blessing us as we are willing to work to receive those blessings. So work hard in anything and everything you do. And you will find success.
4. How have you learned to deal with rejection as a missionary?
-Rejection is a part of life. Whether its rejection from a job opportunity, or in schooling, or in getting a date (I’m familiar with this one ;) ) Rejection comes. Rejection in missionary work is a natural thing. There are those who want nothing to do with you. Who will sometimes be so against something they don't understand they will be hateful and violent. What has helped me the most is the fact that they aren't rejecting ME, they don't even know ME. They are rejecting the message I have, and overall, they are rejecting the Savior. All I can do is be obedient to what the Lord has asked of me. This is to go and teach those who will accept us. And offer the message to any who will listen. We can't change agency, we can't force them to agree with us. All we can do is try.
5. You have learned how to face hard things during your missionary service...what advice would you give someone reading your blog who is facing a challenge that they don't feel capable of facing?
- Dory from finding Nemo put it best. "Just keep swimming" Something my parents always instilled in me (even if I didn't listen) was "You can do hard things" As Children of God we have divine potential. We have the inherent ability to overcome all things in our way. It may seem impossible, but so did flying 100 years ago until the Wright Bros worked hard and overcame what people thought was impossible. Trials are a part of life. They stink, no one likes trails. But you CAN and MUST keep going. There is hope ahead. Christ descended below everything, so that we have someone to turn to in our time of need. God loves you, you aren't alone. Turn to Him and He will be there for you.
I love you guys! I hope you have a great week! Remember who you are!
Love,
Elder Rash
Elder Rash, Amy, Elder Wauneka
Amy's Baptism
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