Rain out our apartment window!
While finishing up deep-cleaning in our apartment this morning, Elder Schulz was thumbing through some multi-language pamphlets. And then the thought dawned on me: "Hey Elder Schulz, what language does a front yard speak?" . . . "Uhh . . ." . . . "PORCH-uguese!" . . . . Bah! It's almost laffy-taffy worthy.
This week's events have been wonderful!For one, it has finally rained in Haugesund since we arrived. Normally western Norway is drenched in rain day in and day out! But do you think for one second that stopped us from taking a bike trek across town?! Of course not. Biking in the rain, in suits, with backpacks on, with lame-looking helmets has certainly got to be one of the largest trademarks and advertising elements of LDS missionaries. And we thrive!
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And the resultant drying of clothes. I promise it doesn't normally look this messy - our closets are just open :P
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For two, Elder Schulz had the awesome idea to share the story of Esther with the members of this branch. The Haugesund branch primarily consists of converted female members, with non-member husbands/families. One member in particular, T., was feeling really concerned about future schooling decisions, and her standing in the church, being away from her home-branch. As we shared the story of Esther, and how she bravely faced her challenges before her with faith, T. seemed to beam from an assuring, comforting witness. Poof! Concerns gone. Yeah, Esther is awesome.
As well, Elder Schulz and I have really started performing much better together - teaching, finding, socializing with members, as well as cooking and cleaning :). The Lord is supporting us every step of the way!
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| Queen Esther by Minerva Teichert |
The biggest experience this week I would have to say was inspired by our zone training meeting down in Stavanger. The zone leaders held a presentation on how we need to be "self-starters" at all times - most especially in missionary work. A self-starter is one who can motive his or herself, change the inner attitudes and feelings in order to achieve one's goals and desires, regardless of external circumstances. It is a primary principle of the gospel that stems from both faith and repentance: faith being the belief, hope and action that you can change your circumstances; and repentance being the changing, adaptation and transformation of your thoughts, beliefs and behaviors in order to achieve your goals. Self-starting, therefore, has both an effect upon your motivations and desires, as well as your outward expressions of them.
The zone leaders applied it in this way - take the foremost thing that motivates you, and focus on it. It could be your relationship to and love for God, your family, friends, special experiences, music, heroes you look up to (non-fictional as well as fictional), or really whatever is most meaningful to you. Then describe, writing down that thing and why it motivates you. On the side of that description you can make notes and references to extremely powerful experiences (or pictures, names, quotes, etc) you have had with this focus. As you refer back to this notecard, your mind is able to trigger those potent memories in order to fill your self with motivation and desire to succeed.
I know that as I have applied these principles in my relationship to God, there has been a world of a difference in my perspectives, attitudes, thoughts and behaviors. Every personal study, I bask in a pool of rejuvenating thoughts, and suddenly I feel the Spirit in a more real and tangible sense. This then enables me to receive revelation in order to serve those around me (investigators and companion especially).
Perhaps this is what Moroni meant when he asked us to "remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts." (Moroni 10:3)
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
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| Haugesund sunset :] |
