I think I love my mission. Maybe a little. Maybe a lot.
When you're on a mission, you get to experience a lot of things that testify that God loves His children.
Basically, we went by a couple of investigators who have really been struggling. Background, they have been investigating the church off and on since 2004, have dropped their baptism dates 4 or 5 times the day before they have happened. Their names are almost a swear word at church--kinda like "Landon" used to be in my home. We mention their names in Ward Council and people roll their eyes and sigh, like, "We're really going to play this game again? Really? Why? They're not worth it." Everyone is so tired of waiting for them, so they're ready to leave them behind.
What I want to share today is that Jesus Christ has a "No Man Left Behind" policy:
We knocked on their door inquiring as to why they hadn't been at church, and they kindly invited us into their home, and then asked that we would please share a message with them. We agreed, and talked about the Holy Ghost. We asked them both a lot of questions about what had been going on, and why did they still let missionaries into their home? "Because when you come," Mike began, "our lives get better. That's what we want."
Elder Church :"Do you believe this church is true?"
Mike :"Yes, and I've set a date for myself to be baptized."
Stunned silence.
Mike's wife, Noelle: "What?"
Mike: "I know this is true. I want it. I need it. I'm sick of failing. I'm sick of not making it. I want to be happy. I know this is true, even if that means being baptized alone. I will be baptized, and I'm giving you two," motioning to the Elders, "permission to use the stick to get me there. Every day."
Challenge accepted.
Since that time, they have both stopped smoking, drinking coffee, and are even giving up TV (because they feel it's too big of a distraction). In the back of my mind, I understand that this may just be another "almost there" thing, but for heaven's sake, what is life with out hope? What is faith without hope? How will miracles happen without hope? If you don't believe that Jesus Christ can and will pick up the pieces of a broken life then how can He?
Something that was once said while I was in the MTC is: "Don't ever be the Eeyore of missionary work." I want to extend that invitation to encompass everything. "Don't ever be the Eeyore of life." Don't allow yourself to lose hope. Don't ever think that God doesn't know you. Don't ever lose sight of the possibility that Jesus Christ can and will pick up the pieces, so long as you will only invite Him in to do so.
The Lord has the power to do all things. Don't ever get so caught up in the negative that you lose sight of the possibility of what is so beautifully stated in Revelations 21:4
" 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more adeath, neither bsorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more cpain: for the former things are passed away."
See what I'm saying? Please don't forget Him. Please don't ever fall into the trap of believing that He's forgotten you.
I'm done.
Anyway, other than that, this week I was frustrated because our numbers have been rediculously down recently. So I woke up early and I made a chart so we can keep track of everything we need to do every day so we can reach our goals, which basically means nightly planning now takes 5 minutes and we overshot almost all of our goals this week. So, we set them higher and are going to keep rolling. The chart is affectionately known as the "Churchhill Chart."
If there is anything at all that I have learned thus far, it is that setting goals and keeping track of them will improve performance more quickly than anything else. The other thing I've tried to learn ("tried" being the operative word) is that serving others is the catalyst that causes exponential growth. I'm still no good at it, but I'm trying to forget myself. It's not always just that easy, but it should be, eh?
Elder Church pulled a giant (about 3 feet tall) "My Little Pony" stuffed pony out of the dumpster a few days ago. He named it "Carl" and it is so terrifying. Bright neon orange. Yuck.
Mike and Mary Schmidtz came to church and have been reading and praying daily.
The Messengers.... Elder Church is scared of going over, but I really REALLY feel we need to. Heavens.
Halloween.... woo. We were at the Chapel with the rest of the missionaries by 5 (to protect us... I guess) and I'm pretty sure I popped my left thumb out of its socket, it just doesn't feel broken, but I can't bend it all the way. Super frustrating.
The mission has a car accident every 3 or 4 days because nobody knows how to drive in snow. I think they need a driving course, because two Malibus had their suspension blown out completely this week. Oh! Two weeks ago, Elder Church and I awoke to a huge *BOOM*. We looked out our bedroom window and approximately 30 feet away was the remnants of a car that had lost control while speeding, hit the curb, and rolled at least a few times, hit a tree, broke the tree in half (not a small tree) then had hit another tree, where it had finally stopped. The tree was obliterated (how's that for a good word?). The car was toast. We called 911 and within moments (probably took less than 2 minutes) emergecy vehicles were outside. We were up all night. Kinda cool, still sucks, but hey.
Well, gotta jet. I love you all. Have a good week. Sorry for not being good at writing letters. Or emails for that matter.
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