A Huge Game Of Dominoes

This week we had interviews. It was a moment where I realized how missionaries formed such a strong relationship with their mission presidents. I had been feeling a little emotional and even before I talked with the president I had cried a little- I was feeling inadequate and behind. I felt like I already should be this amazing missionary missionary. I talked with my mission president about how I felt like I wasn't making a difference here. We have been calling people a lot, and I for some reason felt like I was supposed to have this great experience after 4 weeks in the mission field... He gave me a little explanation- he said something along the lines of: each contact you make is preparing them for the next one, some people need to be contacted in this many different ways before they decide that they need to come unto christ. You just checked off one way, and made it possible for the next way to happen. This is the analagy that I made: Missions are a huge set of dominoes that God has set up, with each door I knock, and each call that I make, I am knocking down the first domino- and the series of events that bring the Light of Christ into their hearts has started. 

He also talked to me about having patience with myself, my spanish, and my scripture knowledge. He told me that it is good that I want to be doing more, but to not be frustrated when I had my limits. Which is something that I need to remember...

My favorite scripture this week is D&C 18:15-16. My mission is like my MTC for life- these 18 months are my training to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. So if I only convert myself more to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I have still succeeded, and I'll have plenty of time throught my life to share the Light and Love of Jesus Christ. 

We are teaching this one guy, he has come to church 1 1/2 times, and we finally got to meet with him since he is super busy! But we got to a point where he had invited us to a service that he had been going to, but we couldn't go because it was outside our area... and the mission. We explained that to him and how we were called to serve here, in Dallas, Texas, and he was kinda taken aback- he was like "so you were sent here to me?" It was really cool because he realized what we do and how we are sent to help certain people!

A Miracle this week: we had planned a ride for these 4 cute kids that we have been teaching to come to church this week- but when we called Sunday morning, they said they couldn't! But about halfway through the second hour we get a call from their dad, and they were at the church! Only three came, because one was working, but they were able to come! The dad just dropped them off to us and left! We took them to primary school and came and got them after and they said they liked it and wanted to come back next week! 

While we were waiting for their dad to come back, I played some games with them and drew with them during our group in person english class! They ended up getting a ride home with one of the other members since their dad ended up going to work, and we had an appointment! But Miracles do happen!

As for funny stories: My companion and I were going to visit one of our previous friends to see if they wanted to have lessons again... and when they opened the door, all we could hear was something that sounded like chanting! It was most likely just their form of prayer, but when we tried to ask if we could come back later, she heard us wrong and invited us to come in! We went inside and just awkwardly stood there as they spoke... we were probably there for about 10 minutes before we built up the courage to tell them that we needed to leave. The whole time we were there, I just prayed that they would one day have the opportunity to feel the Holy Ghost.

Another short story was when we were looking for one of our friends, that the english missionaries found, so that we could teach them- this was an apartment complex, and so we were just knocking doors down the hallway and we knocked on one and explained who we were and he said "we're good, we are part of a real church." I had to kinda laugh at it for a moment haha.

I also did part of my MTE's this week- that is pretty much when I practice by giving a whole lesson to my STL. I did The Restoration and The Plan of Salvation. I think they went pretty well, but I think that I have plenty of room to grow when it comes to teaching by the spirit!

I was also able to go to a financial self reliance class with one of the members from my ward to helo translate because tje class was in english! So I get to go to that for a couple weeks which will be super fun! It really made me excited for when I come back from my mission- I am starting the habits now, hoping that they will continue on through my life!

For my question of the week: What are our true necesities?

I love you all so much! And I know that through the power of the Savior Jesus Christ, we will have the power to overcome all of our trials when we have faith in him! Have a great week!