Missionary work is tough. I mean tough, yet it's the small miracles that I can see that get me through day to day. We happen to have a really interesting set of people we are teaching, and because of that, we weren't able to have a lesson with anyone we've been teaching I don't think. Maybe one, but besides that, all we've been doing is walking, and knocking, and talking. Like I said, it's tough, and when the weather is jumping from sunny, eighty degrees, and ninety percent humidity to thunder and lightning storms with tornados within 10 miles, you could say that finding people is tough.
Despite these challenges, the joy of putting yourself out there and serving the Lord Jesus Christ carries away all doubt and frustration. "Perfect love casteth out all fear" Moroni 8:16.
Early in the week, Elder Berry and I were out at a park talking with people for about an hour, and we were just being flat out rejected, culminating with a confrontation with a couple people who just really didn't agree with us, and they sure made it known. After such an experience, I felt the need to simply go and study the scriptures. We went and sat at a park bench for an hour and just started studying. I was reading in 2 Nephi 29 and Galatians 1, just as a side note. Anyways, as we were sitting there, a man came down and sat a couple benches down. I felt firm to continue studying, despite the common response of getting up and talking to him immediately. This continued for at least half an hour before he got up, walked passed us, and stopped. He looked around for a second, and then turned back and began talking to us about what we were studying and what we believed. I've never had any sort of interaction like that. The Lord truly will provide us with opportunities and experiences if we but dedicate ourselves to heeding the spirit and aligning ourselves with the will of the Lord.
A couple days ago Elder Clayton got called to be one of the new AP's, so now I'm stuck without a Spanish buddy and one of my favorite elders to be around. The last few days I've truly realized the growth I need to be continually making, that I haven't even come close to the missionary I can be, and becoming stagnant or comfortable with where I'm at won't bring me the joy or success I desire for the Lord. I think this can apply in any and every stage of our lives. We cannot become casual in our work, school, friendships, family, or whatever else. To truly find joy, it takes constant effort and growth on our part. So take the time to evaluate where you are at, and find out where you want to be because we all have much greater potentials than we know, being sons and daughters of God.
Elder Shepherd.
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