Hi Everyone!
This has been another wonderful week! We once again hit Standards of Excellence, but we actually had to work really hard to achieve it. Several people cancelled appointments this week, and we didn't get as many referrals, so it was harder to find new investigators. We did find two, Bernie and Sherrie, a nonmember couple from Missouri. So yeah, it wasn't quite the flying colors of previous weeks, but still a really awesome week. Any week that we hit Standards is a good week. This is the fourth week in a row, and I'm so grateful for this work we have to do! The Lord is blessing us in this area.
So, after Elder Bednar visited the mission a couple months ago, I've been thinking a lot about faith. Faith is more than just believing, it is believing, trusting, and then acting. Joseph Smith showed faith in that his prayer immediately preceding his visitation by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ was not "which church is true", but rather "which church should I JOIN". He intended to act on whatever answer he received. I've seen how that praying in faith really helps. This week especially, we did that and saw the blessings. It was a bit later in the week, and we still hadn't found any new investigators. We needed two to hit Standards, and aside from that, we're always looking to expand our teaching pool, and also picking up new investigators really does boost morale. The night before, I had stopped by Bernie and Sherrie's house while I was on splits with a ward mission leader. We talked to Sherrie for a couple minutes, but weren't able to share a lesson, or really gauge how interested they were in the Church. So right before returning the next day, Elder Bright and I said a prayer, asking Heavenly Father to bless us with success in the things we were about to go and do, and then we went and did it. And lo and behold, we were able to share a message with them and get a return appointment, and they seem pretty interested! That's just one of the several times that come to mind where praying in faith has really worked.
We recently had a change in the rules. The music rule has changed! It used to be that we could only listen to Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Then it was changed to MoTab and anything on LDS.org (and most of the stuff on LDS.org is EFY). And don't get me wrong, that stuff is great, especially MoTab! It's just, 8 months of nothing else begins to get old, especially when there are songs that are at least as spiritually uplifting, but can't be listened to because it just doesn't fall into that category. But just a few days ago, we got a big surprise. Without any foreshadowing, we got the announcement in Zone Meeting that the music rule had been abolished, and we are now living the mission handbook rule which says: "Listen only to music that is consistent with the sacred spirit of your calling. Music should invite the Spirit, help you focus on the work, and direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior. Do not listen to music that pulls your thoughts away from your work, merely entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls your spiritual sensitivity by its tempo, beat, loudness, lyrics, or intensity." That opens up A LOT of good music options! And it makes me really happy. Now of course, the handbook rule is still restricting, but it's for a purpose. We missionaries are supposed to stay focused. As far as interpreting the music rule goes, some missionaries might have slightly different interpretations and that's between us, our companions, and the Lord, but a lot of it comes
down to Sister Center's "Don't Be Stupid!" rule. Also, though the handbook leaves room for interpretation, but it is very clear on the standards for listening to music, and also says that if there are any questions, to ask the Mission President. Anyway, we're all really excited about being able to have more options than just MoTab and cheesy EFY music. It's been an exciting week.
This week was transfers too. Being a district leader, I got the transfer call on Saturday (most get it on Sunday, but DLs, ZLs, and those who will be training get it on Saturday). I'm staying with Elder Bright in Enoch West! I figured that was going to be the case. I'm still training Elder Bright, and I've only been DL for 6 weeks. But it was nonetheless exciting/relieving to get the official call from the
Assistants to the President (APs). There will be some changes in the District though. One of the Enterprise Elders is getting transferred and one of the Enoch Sisters is getting transferred. I guess I'll get to meet their replacements on Thursday at District Meeting. Anyway, by the end of this transfer, I will have been in Enoch for 6 months! After that, Elder Bright will have finished his 12 week training, and it would be likely that I might get transferred. But I hope not. I'd rather spend Thanksgiving and Christmas in a place where I feel comfortable, and actually know people. And who knows, maybe I'll be here a ridiculous amount of time. Elder Boox served in Moroni for seven and a half months. Elder Bennett served in Canyonview for seven and a half months. Elder Howard has been in Canyonview for six months, and he's going to be training a greenie this transfer so he'll likely
be there for 9 months! Anything could happen I guess. But for now I'm comfortable in the fact that I'm staying put, and that most of my close friends in the mission are also staying in the Cedar City area.
Well, that's about it for this week. I'll be sending some pictures (some of which are the pictures I said I'd send last week but forgot to send). Have a fantastic week!
-Elder Oswald
Pictures from the mountain:
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