I Love My Mission

How art thou my family?

This week was a great one as we were blessed by a servant of the Lord who taught and inspired us. Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy visited our mission and it was great to hear from him. He taught a lot about faith, and what we could do to strengthen it. I really enjoyed learning things I can do to improve as a missionary. At the end of the meeting my companion and I were one of four companionship's to be interviewed by Elder Johnson. It was a neat experience to be able to talk and interact closely with such an experienced person. It was a privilege. I'm still really excited for the end of the month when we will have another two surprise general authorities visit us! We're extremely lucky.

This month we have focused on faith as well as all Christ-like attributes as a mission. It's been something that I really needed. So much has been going on and there have been so many responsibilities to take care of, that in a way I have lost myself. I've spent so much of my energy and efforts helping others, that I've forgotten to take care of myself. Both my companion and I have felt the same way. Everything is "business". We've really taken a step back and are helping each other remember that we are sharing the Everlasting Gospel and changing lives.

We need to develop greater charity and love. It's especially important as we continue to experience more and more drama. I didn't think it could get any worse than it was. Without going into much detail, one of our newly acquired, recent converts from the other missionaries area did something to another recent convert that has landed him in jail and will probably lead to excommunication. It's been one of the greatest eye openers in my life watching the consequences of those missionaries decision. So many terrible things have happened to people they taught or influenced since they left.

I don't mean to give an excuse to those who poorly used their agency, but I can't help but think that if they were there during the last couple of weeks, certain things would have been prevented or ended up differently. The impact those two could have had, as they were lead and guided by the spirit, could have changed many things. Instead, there area has been left (for the most part) neglected and abandoned.

We have stewardship over it now, but it has taken all of our remaining time in the past week, just to learn who people are. So many of their investigators are disappointed and even furious that the missionaries didn't say goodbye. They feel like the missionaries didn't even care about them, which makes everything they taught invalid to them. It has been quite a mess to clean up. On top of that, we found out that one of our members has a crush on my companion. She wrote him a love letter of sorts.... It was actually pretty funny. I'm not too worried about it, but I will be keeping a close eye on things. This same thing has happened to either my companion or I in every area I've been in, and from what I've seen so far as a missionary, it's pretty unavoidable. Luckily I have complete trust in my companion. There is just too much to think about and do.

I've learned a lot about life in these few short weeks as a zone leader. The use of ones agency has so much effect on others around them. I've seen those who use their influence for good and those who use it for evil, I just wish that more would do the latter.

To answer your question mom, both my companion and I are zone leaders. There are 9 zones (each of which has about 20 missionaries) so there are a total of 18 zone leaders. The area I am in now is a lot like Ledgewood, my first area. The ward is not quite as big, there are usually about 120-140 who attend sacrament each week. I am really enjoying my time here. In our ward there is a young man (I think he's 22?), who is a recent convert that I really love. He was just made a ward missionary and has been so enthusiastic in sharing the Gospel! He was baptized the transfer before I got here, and has been inviting his parents and his brother to church. He also talked to his girlfriend about the gospel, and she wants to meet with us. This Sunday he told me that he was fasting for spiritual guidance, and he decided that he is going to serve a mission. I'm so excited for him! Our ward Mission Leader's son just came home from BYU because he is leaving for his mission to Cote D'Ivoire in a few weeks also. It's such a privilege to take those two out and help them understand what a mission will be like. I love It!

This Mission is so incredible. I love my mission president and his wife so much. I know that I was fore-ordained to serve here and no where else. I am so grateful that I decided to serve a mission. When I think of the people I have met whose lives Heavenly Father has been able to touch through me I feel such an amazing joy. I feel bad for those who chose not to serve. Both they and the people they would have touched miss out on so much. I love the work of the Lord, and will always be a part of it. I love you all so very much.

Love Elder Tilley