October 8, 2012
Dear Family & Friends,
What a wonderful past weekend this has been to enjoy General Conference. I love being edified and instructed by the Spirit through those who have authority and power given them from God to deliver His messages. Let us all seek to take these teachings and allow them to purify our thoughts, actions, hearts, and souls. One great teaching from President Monson in the first 5 minutes of conference, "There's room for improvement. "How true this is. Let us humbly seek for what God would have us improve upon next and boldly take action in bringing our lives in harmony with the Saviors. Let us have the attitude to joyfully apply the atonement in our lives, allowing it to transform us into what we can become. So much depends upon our attitude. We cannot allow Satan to tell us we can't do it. Another of my favorite teachings from conference came from a couple sources. It started with part of a companionship study concerning thoughts and thought processes. It continued with President Monson’s address on listening and following the Spirit and some teachings of David A. Bednar in recent years. As we follow the counsel in Moroni 7:13 and act on any promptings and thoughts that "invite and entice to do good...to love God, and to serve him, "We can know of assuredly that it is from God. As we follow and fulfill those promptings, God will trust us to bless the lives of many of His children, which is in reality a blessing to us. As we keep our covenants and take upon ourselves the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments we will receive these promptings and it will be our great privilege to have the Spirit more abundantly in our lives. Having these thoughts and acting upon them will be a great force in purifying us, as the Spirit is able to work undaunted through us.
So this last week we had our Mission Council with President and the Zone Leaders of the Mission. We focused on obedience and how to use the Book of Mormon more effectively in conversion. Obedience qualifies us for the spirit and the "Book of Mormon, combined with the spirit is (our) most powerful resource in conversion." (PMG pg.104). It was a great revelatory meeting as we counseled together and decided the best way to train the mission this month. Later in the week we had our new missionaries from this past transfer and their trainers come for a training meeting. We had a great meeting and went over some key principles and training for new missionaries. We then had a great time going to down town Cleveland and do some contacting. Twenty missionaries total went to downtown Cleveland on the day that President Obama was there as well. We all had lots of people to talk to. While talking to a 19 year old young man named Dayquan a woman walked up and said, "Hi, I’m a member of their church. If you need a ride to church sometime feel free to give me a call." She then gave him a pass-along card with her name and number. Member missionary? Check! Later we talked to a young woman from India who had just moved here a month and a half ago. When we introduced ourselves I told her we were missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a Christian faith, and that we help people learn about Him and His teachings. She said, "Oh! Can I join your church?" We said, "Yes of course!" and explained how she could come to know what we share is true and what she will do in preparation to join the church. She was excited to begin meeting with missionaries.
On Sunday nights we collect our mission indicators information for the week (number of lessons, people to church, etc.) and then Monday mornings we come and email this information and announcements out to the Stakes, the mission and prepare a report to President Vellinga for his staff meeting at 9:30 Monday mornings. Usually we would be gearing up for some more meetings for the month, but due to how October fell we don't have too many crazy things going on so we will have a good 2 or so weeks to really work hard in our own area.
With the new age changes for Elders and Sisters I think it is both exciting and will be a new adjustment. Training will be a little different here in the mission and a transition will be taking place over the next couple years. I thought about if the church had done this a couple years ago I would have gotten back this past June...that’s nuts!
I pretty much will have a job when I get home. Sister Bell, from my last area, works at Poll Sound in St. George. They do the sound at Tuacahn, concerts all over, the sound at the conference center, etc. etc. She's worked there for several years and is being hired back on when she gets home. She was telling me about it before we all got transferred from Lima and it sounds like a great job to have when I get home. It's right up my alley! You work from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm most days of the week unless you have overtime. Sister Bell also told me about other part time jobs that she works in theatre after 3:00 pm on those days as well. She has helped other missionaries in the past get hired there so she wrote her boss about me a couple weeks ago. Here boss said he loved the prospect of having two great workers on his team next summer. So...there are some other details, but I am thinking I will potentially be moving down there fairly soon after getting home next June. We will talk more as time gets closer, but I have a pretty good feeling about the way things have worked out with it. I feel the spirit about it and feel it will be good to go work there for a year before the next year’s auditions at Weber State for scholarships since I'll miss both entry opportunities before getting home. I've worked out some quick budget sheets a couple weeks ago and I think that this will work well.
Miracles of the week: William was baptized the weekend before I got here. He has some trouble getting jobs and any work due to some past history. A miracle occurred as he has been praying and reading the Book of Mormon. We were talking with a part member family and setting up an appointment to teach the husband and the 8-year-old daughter. The husband heard there was a baptism at the church. We told him about William and he said,"Oh really? I recently fired a guy at my car detailing company." We then talked about bringing him to our next teaching appointment. He agreed and wanted to interview him. We went to the appointment and taught about the Atonement and how that could help him overcome smoking, something William had recently done. William bore his testimony and it touched this mans heart and he set a baptismal date for this next November. His name is Scott. Scott after the appointment interviewed William and hired him that night despite his past. William is now working 40+ hours down at Scotts Company. Amazing what God does in His time.
Another miracle is Alesha a young member who is returning to activity. She has had a hard time deciding to join the Air Force or not. She said she has always had a hard time seeking answers from God. We talked about revelation and different ways we can receive it. We emphasized conference this last weekend and she was excited to watch and seek an answer to her question. After the first session she texted a message to thank us for helping her receive her answer that she received during the first session of conference. We asked what her answer was and how it came. She said President Monson announcing the new mission ages for women and then Russell M. Nelson's talk on missionaries. She has decided to serve the Lord as a missionary!
I love this work. I love you all very much. I pray and hope you have a great week
Love,
Elder Weaver
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