I'm finally here!!!
So we took a shuttle from the MTC to the mission office in St George... it was long hahaha. But, once we got there, things happened fast! So we had about an hour of orientation and then they gave us our trainers.
I am in the Washington East area which covers the whole stake here and is in between Washington and Hurrican (we are just East of St. George)... there are 11 wards. Hahaha each ward is about as big as my ward back home so about a hundred to two hundred people. That means that there are 11 ward mission leaders I need to know, 11 bishops, 11 elders quorum presidents, and 11 relief society Presidents. And that is on top of learning the names of all the people I am teaching. Hahaha it is a lot to take in and I don't know if I'll have it all down with this transfer.
Anyway, so when I got my trainer, we went right to work. We had a dinner appointment and then three lessons. I later realized that this was busier than we usually are. We are only teaching about 8 people and so we are trying desperately to find some more. This meant that the last week has been mostly going to members houses (mostly the before mentioned leaders) and seeing if they can give us any information or referrals. It's a lot of talking and so my people skills have been put to the test! Turns out, I'm not great at talking to people hahaha but I'm not terrible either. We were able to get a lot of information that should be helpful in finding some new people to teach.
Utah definitely has a different culture when it comes to missionary work. We are either treated like angles sent to bring love to everyone or treated like the plague and avoided at all costs. It's funny though because the first group of people not only sees us as angles but expects us to be angles... meaning they expect us to be perfect basically. It's kind of a lot of pressure at times to not disappoint their extremely high expectations, but then I remember that I only care what God thinks of me and I've been trying my absolute best so he shouldn't be disappointed.
One thing that's been hard for me is that we are not allowed to teach inactive members. The first presidency told my mission President, President Smith, that we can only teach non-members or part member families... it makes sense because if we were to teach inactive, members that is where all of our time would be spent. Plus that should be the members responsibility with the ministering program. It's hard for me because I want to invite all to come unto Christ but I feel like I am being limited in that sense.
Another thing that's been hard for me is how many children we teach. My mission is one of the highest baptizing in the nation and that is because we teach and baptize so many kids. Once they turn 9 they need the missionary discussions to become baptized, so a lot of part member families or inactive parents want their kids to be baptized and so we have to teach them. It's been hard for me because I have a lot of trouble teaching complex doctrine to little kids and because it's way harder for me to assess their needs and get them to open up.
Other than those it's been pretty good! I feel like I am more in tune with the spirit and I have a better understanding of the Gospel than I ever have in my life! I am still so far from perfect and that is blatantly evident when I try and teach lessons.
My companion is Elder Greenwood and he is pretty great! He is hard working which makes me extremely happy, but there are still a few things that I've decided I'll try not to do when I am no longer a trainee. We have plans for every moment of every day, but I feel like they are not the most efficient use of our time sometimes. I'm still new though so I'll have to see how it turns out. He is a little quieter which means there are some awkward silences at times and then I feel like I need to take charge and guide the discussion which then I feel like I'm stepping on his toes as the trainer. It's a hard dynamic that I still need to get used to.
Our mission President is fairly lenient rule wise. He goes by the white handbook which doesn't give very specific rules at times which means pretty much any music that invites the spirit is good.
So I am doing great and everything is good! I am working hard and get super tired but that is normal. Have a great week!
Elder Francis
No comments:
Post a Comment