people move than I have actually taught lessons. That's how many
people ask the missionaries to help them move. On Tuesday we helped
two families move for 2 and a half hours. Oh and it was pouring rain.
Welcome to Virginia.
We actually have a baptism coming up this Saturday!! Which is
awesome!! It's our investigator named Neeta! She's the sweetest little
Indian lady I've ever met. She has the most faith out of anyone I've
ever come into contact with. We have been teaching her about
commandments this week and she drinks coffee and tea. So we were
teaching her about the word of wisdom and she said "ok I'll stop
drinking those. For God I'll do anything." Then we were teaching her
about fasting. And in her culture they fast for 40 days like Jesus
did. But when we told her that we only need to fast on the first
Sunday of each month she insisted that she keeps fasting for 40 days
because she loves God so much. I never thought I'd ever have to
convince someone to lessen their fast? Lol. She is amazing though. She
has been investigating the church since about December but there is
one draw back. She is illiterate. She can't read or write English or
Hindi. Which has definitely been a challenge because she have to read
to her out of the Book of Mormon but every time we do, she breaks down
into tears. She loves to watch Mormon messages and other church
videos. She hasn't decided yet who she wants to baptize her so I'll
have to let you guys know if she wants me too which would be awesome!
Not a lot really happened thing week because my companion was pretty
sick so there was a few days we stayed home and he slept and I just
studied till I about died. Literally 5 hours straight of studying will
really get ya! But I learned so much during that time so I'm grateful
for the chance I had to study and further my knowledge of the Book of
Mormon and Preach My Gospel.
We got to meet our new mission president on Friday which was awesome!!
President Huntsman is an amazing man I can already tell that he is
called of God and that he will lead and direct us down straight and
narrow paths and help us further the work here. Sister Huntsman was
super sweet also. We were able to meet almost all of their kids. We
met 7 of their 8 kids. One of their sons is on a mission. They have 6
girls and 2 boys. Crazy big family to move to Virginia to be mission
presidents. But fun fact for you, his dad was the mission president of
our mission about 35 years ago. So he is pretty familiar with the
area. And he has a brother that lives in our mission. I'm so excited
to work under President Huntsman!
The 4th of July wasn't as fun as I expected it to be but we did end up
having a fun time! We went to dinner at a members in-laws house and
had some BBQ! It was good to have some good ole home cooking (since
we've basically eaten Indian food everyday this week). We played some
games and did some activities with their family and watched them light
off some fireworks! Then after that around 9 we went to this bridge in
Falls Church which over looks a high school that puts on a firework
show. The fireworks there weren't as cool as the Cul-de-sac of Fire.
Nothing really compares to that. But I ran into a lady there that knew
aunt Kath which was pretty cool! We were actually home by like 10pm
that night even though our mission president said we could be out till
10:30pm.
The weird thing about serving a mission is that I find myself not
really getting upset over worldly things. (I mean I will always get a
little bent when some random people cuss us out or scream at us for
knocking on their door or call us possessed by demons) But instead I
find myself getting upset when people don't use the atonement to its
fullest potential and maximize the suffering that Christ bared for all
of our sins. For instance, we are working with a less active member
who has a severe alcohol problem. We talk to him probably everyday and
everyday he tells us that he is going to stop. We have made deals with
him numerous times that we would come over everyday and read with him
and help him fight those temptations. But instead we will text him
every once in a while at night just to make sure he is keeping his
commitments. And usually he is drunk and texts us back some very
choice words about the church and what not. We have literally tried
everything with him. I even blatantly said to him "you need
professional help" and he just won't take advantage of the atonement
or our advice for professional help I'm that case. It's so frustrating
when you put all this time and effort in with people who could care
less about everything Jesus Christ did for us. So my council to you
guys is to make sure that you ALWAYS utilize the atonement to its
fullest potential. The atonement wasn't only for our sins, but it was
also for everything in life that is unfair or unjust. Christ suffered
for every pain and affliction we could possibly imagine. If you use
the atonement and realize that because of Christ we don't have to
suffer those afflictions your life will be so much more happy. But
don't get me wrong, we should absolutely use the atonement to repent
for our sins because without that we wouldn't be able to return to
live with Heavenly Father in the Celestial Kingdom. Which should be
everyone's ultimate goal.
In conclusion, I was studying in 1 Nephi 22 this week and I thought I
would share with you one thing that really stood out to me. In verse
25 it says, "And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of
the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there
shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and
in him they shall find pasture." When Jesus Christ comes again, we
will know him, we will desire his presence if we have lived a true and
faithful life. And when that time comes, he will feed us and through
him we will find our home. A mission isn't the funniest thing I've
ever done or even the most enjoyable, but "I have a desire to serve,
so I am called to the work."(D&C 4:3) I love you all!
Much Love,
Elder Leishman
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| This sombrero has been in our apartment for 2 years. |
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| Companion selfie time |
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| Happy 4th of July!! |
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| Bree sent me stuff for the 4th of July. |
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