Family and friends!
I can't even tell you how amazing this week has been. I feel like something finally clicked and I have given up what's been holding me back (fear) and I've just thrown myself into this work with reckless abandon.
Let me explain. :)
We had MLC on Wednesday (Mission Leadership Council) and for the first hour, we all discussed and taught each other what we learned from Elder Holland's visit. And I realized very ashamedly that although I was moved by a lot of what he said, I haven't yet applied it to my work.
We also counseled on the biggest weakness our mission has: opening our mouths. The way we have been instructed to prioritize our time in the mission is to 1. meet investigators needs/work on other name-based monthly goals, 2. fulfill any assignments from ward leaders, 3. visit with members and help them with their missionary work, 4. serve in the community, and 5. personal contact. This is the most effective way for us to work in the Boston area and it's the best way to find and teach SOLID people. As a result, we rarely block out time to go tracting/street contacting. And it's pretty easy to fill your time with the first 4 priorities. But, the negative result it has caused throughout the mission is a loss of a sense of urgency to find people, especially by contacting them on our own. I've totally noticed it in myself and this week I realized it makes me feel like I have NO credibility when I visit with members and encourage them to do uncomfortable things and talk to their friends about the gospel when I haven't been doing a great job at doing what's uncomfortable for me: talking to EVERYONE.
Elder Holland shared a French poem that talked about being asked to come to the edge and being too afraid for fear of falling, but when we come to the edge, we are pushed, and then we fly. He also said, "We don't fly because we are too inclined to play it safe." Those words have been ringing in my mind for the past 2 weeks and when we talked at MLC about what we learned and what we've changed in our work, it all clicked for me and I realized this is what I needed to change. I needed to have more of an urgency to find people in ALL of our priorities and I especially needed to stop playing it safe and do what is uncomfortable for me.
So, I set a new goal to give out at least one Book of Mormon a day from now on. And you know what? Sister Crane and I have been ON FIRE. The Spirit that has entered our work is miraculous and infectious and invigorating! And yes, there have been awkward/uncomfortable moments, but we have also found so many wonderful potentials! And I finally, FINALLY feel like a real missionary. I feel like there is nothing holding me back. No lack of training or experience, no friction in my companionship, no FEAR. And it is so liberating and energizing and addictive and I just want to TELL THE WORLD! (What in the world could I have accomplished if I had arrived at this a year ago?!)
And now I feel like I have more credibility when I visit with our members and ask them to push themselves and seek revelation and step outside their comfort zone and share the gospel with their friends. And I can now personally testify to them that the Lord is just waiting to pour out His Spirit on us. He is just waiting for us to fly!
I'm short on time, so I'll share my favorite miracle of this week. The Brindamours came to church and it was just so perfect! Julie and Jodi had to leave but Jazmin, the 17 year old niece, stayed for the rest of church and she LOVED it. LOVED IT! And she wants to get baptized! We are SO excited to keep teaching her and helping her understand how the Atonement can free her of the guilt she feels. SO excited!
Alright, I love you all so very much! This is the Restored church and gospel of Jesus Christ! What a blessing it is to know our Father's plan for us! It is such a perfect plan!
MUCH LOVE!
Sister Wheeler Jr.
P.S. Attached is a photo of all Sister Bringhurst's (redhead) posterity. :) She is my grandma (she trained Sister Hollan). :) And then all my daughters are there too! :) #sillymissionculture
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