This past Saturday, we had our first official companion exchange. Last transfer's exchange was kind of weird because the Zone Leader exchanged with us but he was in a trio so he just tagged along with Elder Greenwood and I for a day. It was good and I learned a lot, but I had grown more and more desperate for a break from Elder Greenwood. Being together every hour of every day for three months is a little much. Even if you love someone, being together for that long, you'll notice many different things that annoy you.
Because of this, the exchange this transfer was a refreshing relief! Because Elder Greenwood is the District Leader this transfer, we went on exchanges with the zone leaders again, but this time we went on an actual exchange. I got to stay in our area with Zone Leader 2 Elder Andrew. It was amazing! It made me realize just how much Elder Greenwood has been "babying" me. I got to plan the entire day out by myself (one, because we didn't have any lessons and two, because Elder Andrew didn't know the area at all), I got to control who we called and who we texted, and I got to lead the conversations in door contacts on top of a whole lot of other things!
It really made me realize how little Elder Greenwood trusts me, whenever he is around, and that I am actually capable of running the area without someone more experienced. I know, for sure, that the Lord helped me be confident and sharp to know where we should go. Since we had no appointments, we spent the whole day finding. It was a grind! We knocked on so many doors, most of which didn't answer. We talked to many different people, none of which were against hearing the Gospel, but also who weren't really ready to hear it either.
I learned so much and, even though Elder Andrew didn't really give me a whole lot of advice, I came out with many different things I want to work on and with a renewed sense of confidence in myself. This, however, sprouted a new problem. Though I feel much more confident in my abilities in being guided by the spirit, Elder Greenwood still won't let me use this confidence. He is a great missionary and is very obedient, but he is very set in his ways and refuses to even consider any of my ideas.
I understand his point of view because I am far less experienced than him, but, if I am ever going to train, I would do things a little different. I think one of the best ways to learn is to jump right in. Though you may stumble for the first few steps, you pick it up a lot faster than just trailing behind someone who already paved the way. Elder Greenwood is great, but I definitely get frustrated with him sometimes.
I am learning to love him though, and the more I learn about him, the more I am able to see him as Heavenly Father does. He has great potential. He didn't grow up in the most favorable circumstances and he is going through something with his friend back home that is causing him some heartache. The problem is, whenever I try, even a little, to help, he gets super defensive and shuts me down. It's those times that are the most frustrating for me because he will then refuse to listen to nearly any advice, suggestions, or opinions I give him.
So yeah, those have been some of my thoughts this week. Also, it's been getting fairly cold down here! I wasn't expecting it, but it was 35°F this morning! This is where my Idahoan blood is helping me hahaha! I'll wear my short sleeved white shirts outside without a jacket and be completely fine. If it gets any colder, though, I might have to switch to a long sleeved shirt hahaha.
Hope you all have a good week. Also know that I love getting all of your emails and, just because I don't have time to respond, don't think that I'm ignoring you or don't love you!
Elder Francis
I took this picture on someone's back porch.
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