So this past week, we had the Indian family that came to my farewell over for dinner. They made a spicy curry chicken and rice dish, and it was soooo good. With a little bit of homemade yogurt. Also we played wacky six, which was funny because I dont think that normally their little son has permission to smack talk his parents, but Spencer was certainily teasing dad, and the 8 year old son was on his team. And so the bt was put down. Whoever lost had to do the dishes. And dad and the dad of the indian family (they were on a team together . . . dad did not like losing) had to go do the dishes. As they were walking over there the indian dad said “They’re going to . . . help us, right . . .”. “Uh, nope,” dad replied. The older son took a picture of his dad doing the dishes because he thought it was so funny. Also mom, trying to make small talk, asked them where they had met. It was an arranged marriage. They met on their wedding day. Haha, so there is our intercultral experience for the week. We also did a little family home evening message, and that was great. We talked about gratitidue, and everyone talked about things they are greatful for. It was super nice, and the dad said he was so happy to take part in it, and do this kind of thing with his family. I think he will be the first one converted in his family.
This week, I was up in Idaho shadowing a bunch of doctors, which was way fun. I saw Uncle Joe do some surgeries, it was great!
I did my mission slideshow yesterday, and it was so fun to look at old videos and pictures. Take lots of videos. I think those are always my favorites. Just the funny, you and your comp getting ready on an average day videos. It makes me smile a lot watching them. The mission is a gift. It is such a great time, even though it is a hard time sometimes.
I found a great quote from elder eyring today. It made me think, what can I do to help with misionary work.
I’ve studied carefully and prayerfully some who are remarkably faithful and effective witnesses of the Savior and His Church. Their stories are inspiring. One humble man was called as the president of a tiny branch. There were so few members he could not see how the branch could function. He walked into a grove of trees to pray. He asked God what he should do. An answer came. He and the few members began inviting friends to join with them. In a year, hundreds had come into the waters of baptism and become fellow citizens in the Lord’s Church.
I know a man who travels almost every week in his work. On any day there are missionaries somewhere in the world teaching someone he met. There is another man who seems undeterred by how many he must speak to before any of them wish to be taught by the missionaries. He doesn’t count the cost in his effort but only the happiness of those whose lives are changed.
There is no single pattern in what they do. There is no common technique. Some always carry a Book of Mormon to give away. Others set a date to find someone for the missionaries to teach. Another has found questions which draw out feelings about what matters most in life to a person. Each has prayed to know what to do. They each seem to get a different answer, suited especially to them and to the people they meet.
But in one way they are all alike. It is this: they have a common way of seeing who they are. They can do what they have been inspired to do because of who they are. To do what we are to do, we will have to become like them in at least two ways. First, they feel that they are the beloved children of a loving Heavenly Father. Because of that they turn to Him easily and often in prayer. They expect to receive His personal direction. They obey in meekness and humility, as the children of a perfect parent. He is close to them.
Second, they are the grateful disciples of the resurrected Jesus Christ. They know for themselves that the Atonement is real and necessary for all. They have felt cleansed through baptism by those in authority and the receipt of the Holy Ghost for themselves. And because of the peace they have experienced, they are like the sons of Mosiah, “desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.”2
Those who speak easily and often of the restored gospel prize what it has meant to them. They think of that great blessing often. It is the memory of the gift they have received which makes them eager for others to receive it. They have felt the love of the Savior. For them these words are their daily, hourly reality:
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
This is from a talk called “a child and a disciple” in the april 2003 conference. So that is my goal this week; pray and ask God what more I can do.
Love you guys tons!
Liza
Mom and Dad fall asleep sitting on the couch soo much.
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