Hola familia y amigos!!
This week was pretty good. I think that this area is starting to climb finally. Not that there wasn't anything going on before, but that we've turned a corner now. We still have lots of work to do, but I felt like there was a difference this week. We picked up two new investigators that both are very prepared, named Marcos and Maria, and were able to teach three lessons two days in a row, which we haven't been able to do since I got here. We also were able to set two baptismal dates with Lorena and Marcela (who came to Church last week) that are not just dates in the air like I've felt like some of our previous dates have been. I feel like the Lord is letting me see just the beginnings of growth here to let me know that my labors are not in vain. I feel sad to think that it's not likely that I stay in this area much longer (and possibly not for more than next week) because I'm so happy to see the changes that people are making and to see them accept what I know can help them be happy in their lives.
I think I want to relate some of what I learned recently from my studies of Conversion and what we can do to increase how fully converted we are. I first read the talk that Pres. Alba took most of his material from (Full Conversion Brings Happiness by Elder Scott) and I really, really liked studying that. It had an interpretation of the parable of the sower that I really liked. That was what struck me most as a beginning of an answer to my question. I liked that there are different states or levels of being converted described by the different places that the seed fell. It was a good opportunity to take a look at myself and analyze where I'm at in different areas. I think that it helped me start by recognizing where I'm at in different areas, and what I need to work on. I think that that's one of the first steps to becoming more fully converted, recognizing that your not fully converted, or that you could become more fully converted in an area and then with that, desiring to become more fully converted. This is only the beginning of my studies of this topic, so I'll keep getting back to you on what I learn.
I love all y'all and can't wait until next week when I can hear from y'all again!
-Elder Whitaker
This week was pretty good. I think that this area is starting to climb finally. Not that there wasn't anything going on before, but that we've turned a corner now. We still have lots of work to do, but I felt like there was a difference this week. We picked up two new investigators that both are very prepared, named Marcos and Maria, and were able to teach three lessons two days in a row, which we haven't been able to do since I got here. We also were able to set two baptismal dates with Lorena and Marcela (who came to Church last week) that are not just dates in the air like I've felt like some of our previous dates have been. I feel like the Lord is letting me see just the beginnings of growth here to let me know that my labors are not in vain. I feel sad to think that it's not likely that I stay in this area much longer (and possibly not for more than next week) because I'm so happy to see the changes that people are making and to see them accept what I know can help them be happy in their lives.
I think I want to relate some of what I learned recently from my studies of Conversion and what we can do to increase how fully converted we are. I first read the talk that Pres. Alba took most of his material from (Full Conversion Brings Happiness by Elder Scott) and I really, really liked studying that. It had an interpretation of the parable of the sower that I really liked. That was what struck me most as a beginning of an answer to my question. I liked that there are different states or levels of being converted described by the different places that the seed fell. It was a good opportunity to take a look at myself and analyze where I'm at in different areas. I think that it helped me start by recognizing where I'm at in different areas, and what I need to work on. I think that that's one of the first steps to becoming more fully converted, recognizing that your not fully converted, or that you could become more fully converted in an area and then with that, desiring to become more fully converted. This is only the beginning of my studies of this topic, so I'll keep getting back to you on what I learn.
I love all y'all and can't wait until next week when I can hear from y'all again!
-Elder Whitaker