Humility

Time just keeps a-truckin here. The weeks fly by, and we keep doing our best to improve ourselves as missionaries and teach with the Spirit and help these people progress. I love this point on my mission because I am no longer so overwhelmed by the work. I understand how it goes, I have lots of experiences with teaching and with understanding how the Spirit works, and I feel much more capable of helping others. I remember one of the hardest parts of starting my mission was having so much desire to do good and be good and not feeling like I knew how to channel all that energy. But that experience has to come with time, so I can't say that I regret anything either. It is really nice to be able to feel like I have always done the best I could, even if "the best" was rather pitiful.

There are several families in this ward, active members, that I love so much. They are really feeling the fire of missionary work and are always asking to go out with us, giving us service opportunities, and inviting us to teach their friends. The other morning we were helping a sick member clean out her house with all of my favorite women, and as we sat talking and working together I felt like I was with Sister Jones and Welch and Mom, just being happy and serving. I wanted Mom to be there so bad and to meet all these women, and then it struck me how strange it will be that they won't be able to understand each other! If I can understand Spanish, you all can too right? It is just very strange to me that I have learned another language all of a sudden (after hours of study and frustration and hard work). Funny how hard things always seem so easy in hind-sight. I am so grateful for everything I have been able to learn so far on my mission, especially the chances I have had to develop Christlike attributes. Right now I am really working on humility, and it is such a joy. Why didn't anyone tell me it was so fun to be humble? haha. I learned this week that it's so much better to look at my mission (and life) as an opportunity to learn, rather than a test of my personal worthiness, and it has lightened so much stress and filled me with much more love. I am trying to ask everyone for help with everything, and because of that I am learning so much, making great friendships, and enjoying my mission much more.

My two investigators both received their baptismal interviews and are ready, but one is unsure if he will have to work Saturday, and the other for some reason just keeps wanting to wait. But the good news is, they are both ready. They have accepted the gospel, they have repented, they have desires to make covenants with God, and that is huge progress that I feel blessed to have seen in them. Hopefully, the first will be baptized on Saturday and hopefully when the other one sees that baptism he will follow in the next couple of weeks. It is really tender to see people open up to the Spirit in their lives. Their countenances truly change and we all feel an outpouring of Heavenly Father's love.

I can't think of many more things to say other than how much I love each of you. I am so grateful to have this time as a missionary. I will cherish my mission for the rest of my life. I will cherish these people as well.