Since I’ve been down here it’s been really good because I’ve learned an awful lot. First, I’ve learned to be self-sufficient. I can now rely on myself because I’ve been the senior companion. It has really made me grow. I’m really grateful for the opportunity that I’ve had to be here on my own.
In my last area I really learned how important the Spirit is and it became real-life to me. And now, I’m putting the things I’ve learned to use for me and also the benefit of others. The Spirit plays a huge role in my life now, though I’m still struggling to be able to understand the communication from the Spirit. I don’t know if I ever will. I guess it’s something you have to always work on.
I know I really need to work harder and now with my new companion I think that it will be really good. One reason is I’m going to train now. Elder Chlarson is getting transferred and I’ll get a brand-new Elder. It’s going to be really neat. I’m starting to believe some of the things that my Patriarchal Blessing is saying. One such thing is that the Lord has confidence in me. I can now see that, because I’m down here all by myself and also even more, because I’ll get to train a new Elder in a few days. I’ve certainly learned a lot the last ten months, that’s for sure.
My mission has been really good, you know, though. My family has really helped me a lot these last few (10) months, not only financially, but also spiritually. My Dad’s written to me som great little letters that I’ve really learned a lot from.
Right now my mind is really going through a lot. I’m sure that the Lord is just saying to me to just do the work and don’t worry about it. There’re a lot of things I need to do and it all seems so overwhelming; sometimes I don’t know what to do. I’m certainly grateful for prayer. Sometimes I think I understand how Laman and Lemuel were so fast to do iniquity. I have a really hard time sometimes remembering all the spiritual experiences in the past. so when I think back I can’t really recall them so that they will help me in my life. I know God lives and that he answers prayers. Although I don’t always understand the answers that I get, I wish that I did. I guess I just need to be more patient, but especially have more FAITH. There’s a work to do now in the Bridgetown District and I know that the Lord wants this work to move forward down here. I can really feel it. How can I make this small branch into a large branch? I think that in the past I really haven’t been able to baptize anyone because I haven’t been ready for it. And the people wouldn’t be quite so strong as if they were converted now What does the Lord want me to do at this time to help out and move the missionary work ahead down here.
Maybe one of the things that he wants me to do is to “just do it.” I know how to be a missionary. Why don’t I just be one? It’s just as simple as that. Why do I continually try to make things seem harder than they really are? I need to fast and pray with real purpose and I need to just be the best missionary that I can without thinking about the way that I do things. Just follow the Spirit; follow the promptings of the Spirit; learn to come close and harken to his promptings. I know the Lord has a great work for me to do, even here in Bridgetown District. I know I can do it, because the Lord has so declared.
I have a very strong testimony of God, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the Church. It’s all true. It’s so true I can’t even thank Heavenly Father enough for blessing me with it in my life. Where much is given much is expected. It’s true.