(This post was sent
November 9, 2015)
Sister Finlinson and I
were able to pin down exchanges yesterday, and we went through the white
handbook vigorously to make sure we're measuring up as good sister training
leaders. There's lots of good stuff in there! I'm hoping that exchanges aren't
a total disaster, but even if they are, it'll be a good learning experience.
^_^
I've made it a goal to
read 3 pages from PMG every day, and thus far it has been extremely
enlightening! All of the stuff I learned at the MTC and forgot is right there
in those pages. It's cool to be refocused on my purpose and to relearn what
that means. The trick now is figuring out how to apply it so that it sticks.
We were given four
marvelous opportunities to see our investigator, Mackenzie, this week! Sister
Finlinson and I have thought a lot about what we can do to help strengthen her
testimony. She is truly amazing. She's come with us to a couple of dinner
appointments with members, and she would've come with us to another
investigator's lesson if she didn't have to work. Isn't that crazy? Mackenzie
has felt the influence of the Holy Ghost, but she's afraid of admitting to
herself that all this is true because she knows that she has to act on it. That
part is difficult for her, mostly because her parents aren't really on board,
and she's afraid that it'll distance her from them.
We got a new
investigator named Alex this week! The 1st Ward Elders tracted into him and
referred him to us. He's recently graduated from college, and he's a computer
technician. He thinks really deeply about everything. It's very refreshing! I
had a moment while we talked with Alex where I knew that I came to Minot to
meet him. He and Mackenzie both have the same concern about being unsure
whether the Holy Ghost is a real influence, or if it's just a psychological
thing that they made up in their heads. I know how they feel! I've felt the
same thing.
Sister Finlinson and I
have been trying to help further motivate members in missionary work, and we
felt like it would be a good idea to help them with their family mission plans.
Except, I feel like we're coming across as more patronizing than helpful. It's
not intended to be, but most of the messages sound like, "You need to be
doing missionary work" instead of, "How can we help you resolve your concerns
so you can feel successful in sharing the gospel?" So we're working on
that :) I think it would be good to remember that "ALL have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God." (including me.) There was a cool phrase
that one of the teachers in the MTC said. It was something along the lines of
"We're all in the same boat. I need the atonement as desperately as
you."
I love Sister
Finlinson's desire to be good! She is constantly evaluating to know how to
improve. I feel like a lot of the times I want to be better, I don't know how,
but she's so great at making things happen. Also, she has this motto of always
giving one hundred percent in communication. I'm starting to really understand
why open communication is so important! I'm grateful for her example of
counseling with me as her companion in everything we do, and wanting to go
forward together instead of only focusing on self-improvement.
This coming week is
going to be fantastic. The Lord is going to make things happen.
Love y'all!
Sister Clark
No comments:
Post a Comment