First and foremost, Elder Leany (one of my zone leaders) says: "Hi." ;)
Second, since I was able to talk to most of you just a day or two ago, I don't have much to say. So... don't expect too much.
The work for the past two weeks has been pretty slow. It's been that way because transfer week is always slow with trying to move out of one place, move in to another, try to get organized, say goodbye to people who you love, and hello to the new people you'll need to know in your new area. Then, Christmas rolled around. And, if there was such a thing as a vacation on your mission, this would be it: We weren't supposed to do anything that we hadn't previously scheduled an appointment for. No member or less-active stop-bys or anything. For that reason, we've been minimized on all kinds of finding, and work, for that matter. It's weird. No worries, we didn't just sit around. We were sure to set up a few lessons and such waaaaay in advance so we wouldn't have to worry about being lazy or bored, it's just weird not to be CRAZY INSANE BUSY. Nuts, eh? (by the way, I said "Eh" to my family once or twice on our skype call, and it was a priceless moment to watch them react)
Elder Stewart and I have been getting along well, he's got A TON of greenie fire. He is the definition of greenie fire. Holy tolito. No worries though, cause when you know how to channel the fire, it becomes a very effective tool in the Master's hand. Right? So, we've been having a lot of fun and working hard.
I think going to break the bank a bit with a sharp reality; missionaries are not perfect people. I think we (as missionaries) often imagine coming in to the field and being immediately responsible, immediately different, immediately respectable, loving, humble, hard working, thrifty, clean, reverent, & hungry. And while a lot of things change immediately out of necessity (like what you wear, what time you go to bed, and what music you listen to), you are still the same person you were when you left home. The differences between when you are home and when you are on your mission are: 1. The expectations you now hold for yourself and 2. The expectations the Lord has for you (little did you know He had those expectations before your mission and will continue to have them for you after your mission). (I'm using a lot of parentheses)
So, you may ask, then why are missionaries so different when they get home? I have a theory (what? Elder Hill having a theory? Never happens. Nope. Not ever.), and because I'm still in the experimental phase with this little seed of faith I'm going to continue to call it a theory and just act. I believe the difference that we see between missionaries who are just leaving and the missionaries who are coming home comes down to a single word: Conversion. (I think someone's frontal lobe just exploded)
David A. Bednar taught the following :"Samuel the Lamanite identified five basic elements in becoming converted unto the Lord: (1) believing in the teachings and prophecies of the holy prophets as they are recorded in the scriptures, (2) exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (3) repenting, (4) experiencing a mighty change of heart, and (5) becoming “firm and steadfast in the faith” (see Helaman 15:7–8). This is the pattern that leads to conversion."
Okay, now apply that statement to missionary work. In order to be successful we must first apply no. 1. Then, as missionaries, we are called to apply no. 2 and no. 3 (see PMG pg 1 for further information). Somewhere in application of the first 3 principles, we experience no. 4. Then we become "firm and steadfast in the faith." For some missionaries, full conversion takes a full two years to reach. For a select few (Saul to Paul and Alma the Younger) it seems to happen overnight, but as we apply each of those principles throughout our missions and determine to allow each of those 5 basic elements to shape our destinies, we grown into the men and women that we hope to become.
Yes, obedience is important. Yes, working hard is important. Yes, being respectable is important. But never forget why you were called to the mission you were called to (whether that mission is in Canada, Washington, Arizona, D.C., Argentina, Japan, Georgia, Philadelphia, Mexico, New York, Illinois, Indiana, or your own home [see PMG Ch 1 pg 6(?)]): you were called to your mission because of who you are.
Now, let the Lord take you and let Him shape you into the person you are destined to become, by living the gospel and becoming converted unto the Lord.
(the Gospel according to Taylor Hill)
I love you all. Rock on. Peace, love, and temple marriage... in that order.
Elder Taylor J. Hill
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