Yes, that is a new thing, putting two zone leaders in the same zone with new comps. It's different, but it is actually really good for the future of the mission. That way, the zone leaders can look after troubled missionaries or greenies. But Elder Janes and I are together quite a bit anyways, so he is like my second companion. We have a good time in our flat haha, but we work incredibly hard! We have been sooooooo busy this week. Let me tell y'all about it!
We gave our dying testimonies
So, I guess a couple of the things that kept me busy were the zone leader duties that we had to take care of this week. We had MLC (Mission Leadership Council) with the other zone leaders and sister training leaders in the mission. That basically took up all of Tuesday. It was great because Elder Hayward and Elder Cummings (Elder Janes' greenie) got stuck together on their own for the first time (it's going to happen a few more times pretty soon) so they had to figure out how to do missionary work pretty quick hahaha! In MLC we gave our dying testimonies, which was really weird! I thought I dodged that bullet! But it was cool to get to see some of my mission mates before I "get transferred". I attached a pic of me and Elder Searle, he is still on the Council. He leaves 2 weeks early, so he won't be at the leavers' dinner with me.
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| Elders Searle and Larsen |
We also had ZTM this week (Zone Training Meeting), where Elder Janes and I gave a combined training. It was different, but really good! Instead of us planning our individual trainings, we planned together how we were going to train on the same topic and whatnot, so it took more meticulous planning and preparation. It turned out well! We trained on the Strategy for Building Faith, focusing on building missionary, member, and non-member faith. The formula is simple, yet powerful. We must pray to the Lord frequently every day. Alma 33:11 is a neat scripture I found relating to that. We must also feast upon the words of Christ. Have you ever noticed in Alma 32:28, that it's not the seed of faith being planted? It is the seed of the word of God. That is what grows and develops into faith as we nourish it. And equally as simple as it is important we must regularly attend church and keep the Sabbath day holy.
Overwhelmed with feelings she had never felt before
I mentioned last week about a Chinese couple that we met. They are sooooo solid! We ended up having our follow-up lesson with them, and the Spirit was so strong, right from the beginning! In fact, as we offered the opening prayer, we found Y_ was crying, because she was so overwhelmed with feelings she had never felt before. We taught her simply about God, about how he is our loving Father in Heaven. He created a plan where we would come to earth to gain experience to become like him, and we would be able to learn and grow from life on earth. We spoke of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us, that we might live. And we spoke of the importance of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through exercising Faith in Christ, repenting, being baptized, receiving the Gift of the holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. Y_ in particular expressed that she would love to know that these things were true, and we were able to testify of their truth, and teach simply how she could come to know truth. We taught her and her husband to pray simply, and Y_ offered our closing prayer. What a sweet experience! She explained in the English she knew that she felt at peace and warm as she said her prayer. How neat!
"I feel like a new person. I feel CLEAN!"
They ended up coming to the Baptism on Saturday. There was quite a bit of adversity, and many blessings, as the week progressed in preparation for the baptism. Individuals assigned to give talks had other things come up, the program went wrong, and the Adversary worked very hard to make this special day less special. But as always, light and goodness prevailed. The Baptism was a wonderful experience. I was blessed to be able to perform the Baptism. Victor described his experience when he said "I feel like a new person. I feel CLEAN!" Y_ and S_ didn't have words to express their feelings. They loved it! They didn't know what to expect, but the other missionaries, and the ward helped them to feel welcome and answered their questions. It was a powerful experience!
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| Elder Larsen, V_, and Elder Hayward |
Something that I have done this week to help me more readily recognize answers to prayers is to record the questions I want to ask before I begin the prayer, and to listen after I pray for answers, and record on the same note card in a different column specific answers to the specific questions I have been asking. I was amazed at how readily the Lord answered my prayers. It is incredible! I would encourage anyone who wants to be able to see the Lord's hand in their life more fully to record questions and answers received.
Go greenie fire!
In response to your questions, Elder Hayward is the Man! He is adjusting well to Aussie-land. We have been having fun. It was funny to hear how his experience leading our area went. It was a bit discouraging for him, but it is helping him to grow. Janes and I are going on trade-offs tonight with Elder Losa and his trainee (I'm going to Losa's area with him) so Hayward is going to be with Cummings again hahaha! And then this Saturday they are going to be together again working in Dapto when Janes and I are on trade-offs with the other District Leader in our zone. Go greenie fire!
Anyways, that's my week!
Kaysie, my favorite color is blue!
JJ, sounds like you are having fun with everything going on! Hope you are enjoying school!
Ez, I have lots of favorite things to teach. I think my favorite is just seeing people change because of the things I get to teach them.
Okay, that's all folks, love you heaps!!!
Elder Larsen
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