Family!!
This week has been an awesome week. We were able to have interviews with President Ostler to receive guideance, revelation, and inspiration and boy did I receive it all. We were able to have interviews as well as classes and we taught one of them which was awesome cuz whenever you teach you learn so much more. So that was really cool.
One of the things that is awesome about interviews is learning what we as missionaries need to change to become better. To become the person Heavenly Father wants us to be. To realize we are nothing and need to change. One thing I noticed about myself this week is that I have been enduring my mission. Which really sucks. I have been going through all the hard things and challenges in my mission and I have just been enduring. Even with my companion right now I've been thinking how I just need to endure until the transfer, then the transfer came and it turns out I am still with her and at first I honestly thought, "okay, I just need to endure until the end of August, until the next transfer" but, honestly during interviews I really had a really strong impression to stop. Stop the negative thinking, stop the put downs, stop thinking things in my head that are just making it worse. Instead, I need to seek and look for the positive. I need to recognize my own weaknesses and change myself before I expect others to change. So on Wednesday night I actually apologized to my companion. I just said I am sorry for the person I have been and I will strive to change and strive to help more. I have been really looking for the things she does right instead of the things she does wrong and honestly it has changed my outlook on things a lot. She is really awesome. Honestly she is a really amazing person. I know Heavenly Father has a specific plan for her here on her mission. I can learn so much from her and I am, especially about being humble. She is such a humble person. Just this last week by reflecting back on how much more I enjoy our companionship and how much more unity we have because I am looking at the positive sides.I really do love my companion Sister Tekanene. If you guys met her you would love her too and know exactly what I am talking about. She is beautiful inside and out and of course there are times where we don't get a long and it is hard, but by looking at the positive and reflecting on how I can change it has really changed my outlook on everything.
Ether 6:4-12 is honestly a really great scripture passage. I challenge you all to read it and apply to yourselves. I have done this and it really helps when you are going through hard times or struggles or just the challenges of life. So read it huh? :)
I am learning that enduring without enjoying really sucks. I kept looking at the hard things that was happening and how I just need to endure, but I shouldn't just be enduring my mission, I should be enjoying and learning and getting stronger because of the trials and be praising and thanking the Lord for each trial and test he is giving me. I have learned a lot this week personally. And I just thought I would share my thoughts with you about what I am learning on my mission. So enjoy don't just endure.
This week was really cool too because we were able to also talk to Brother John Edwards, he is the Australian in our ward. He was able to go to the temple to do baptisms, his endowment, and his sealing for the first time. He was only baptized a year and a half ago, but he is a huge example. We talked to him about his experience and wow. He is an amazing man. He really is the definition of humble. He continually said "I never would be here if it wasn't for God. God has lead my life ever since I was a boy. I have been through a lot of hardships, but everything was well worth it because of the temple." It was a really cool experience talking to someone who has had a really hard life, but looks for the joys and praises the Lord.
Thank you for everything you do family. You are all so great and I am so EXCITED FOR JENSEN AND QUINCIE TO GET MARRIED!! Ahhhh so when the going get tough keep on keeping on huh? haha Just kidding. Enjoy your marriage don't endure it hahaha I love you both and i'm excited for you. So remember to chose the right and read the scriptures and be happy. I love you all.
Mahal ko kayo,
Sister Barton
Such good advice from Sister Barton. I can so relate to what she says about her companion. I remember feeling the same way. It's nearly impossible to like everything about anyone let alone some one you're spending 24/7 with. It's so much harder than it sounds and I remember praying that I would have more love and compassion for my comps. Service was the answer. I would do small acts of service for them and that always helped me grow closer to them. I love what Makell says... Enjoy don't just endure!
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