We had zone conference and once again and all of the assistants came out with the slaughter family to enlighten the border zone. Still changing things up, president slaughter helped us understand that the baptismal invitation we've been working toward was a suggestion' and it didn't need to be memorized. I feel so liberated. I now realize that every aspect of the lesson can and should be gauged directly to the need of the investigator all the way up to the reason they are baptized. The del rio relief society did an amazing job providing us with a Easter lunch far better than anything we'd anticipated. They made potatoes, salad, and ham and brought their best dishes. I was so touched, because they didn't do it for us, but they did it to serve those that had been called to represent The Lord. The second half the slaughters gave their thoughts on marriage in response to questions for 2 and a half hours. I learned a lot, I don't feel like I needed to learn all of that right now... But a lot of missionaries are going home in 2 months so I'll store up that knowledge for later. My personal take away from the spirit was that I need to commit and submit even more, and serve only with the benefit of the people around me in mind. It's hard. What stood out to me, was that The Lord can't trust someone who isn't prepared to accept and conform to correction - even looking for correction. So in the last 2 weeks we found 25 investigators. A new investigator is someone who learns a principle, commits to do something, says a prayer with us and then invites us back for a specific appointment. we did a church run Saturday night which we means we went by the majority of our people and invited them in person to church the next morning (a nice family drove us in their truck because I got ANOTHER flat tire). Of all of these people plus the people we were already teaching 14 people said they would for sure be there. Sunday morning came, elder jones of the 70 was there to speak (first time a general authority had made it out to eagle pass in 45 years) and I was giddy with anticipation. I knew if these people came they would feel the spirit and receive answers. Can you imagine 14 investigators in sacrament meeting?
No one came.
Brother O'Neil said sometimes you have to just cry yourself to sleep, and I guess that's true. I didn't cry but I can hardly describe the deflated feeling that accompanied me all day. It makes me look harder inward and makes me analyze what I'm doing over again and again to find the flaw in myself. Many are called but few are chosen. That feeling then is an inhibitor to the spirit and to the rate at which I can work. Faith is the hope in things not seen but are true, and the fact that The Lord is hastening his work is true and I have to maintain that hope to work effectively by the spirit. That's a hard thing too. I'll then feel inclined to detach my feelings from these people so if they fail I can have the attitude, " we'll it's no skin off my back, I did my job" but the work requires all of my heart, might, mind, and strength. This is the process on the mission that makes people change and become true servants of Christ.
Still in high hopes thanks to a sense of humor and a good companion. We will make this happen.
I love you very much. It was weird being away for Easter but the box of candies softened the blow, haha.
I miss you,
Stay salty my friends, (that reminds me, we taught gospel principles on the abrahamic covenant last Sunday - which leads us to the new and everlasting covenant!)
Elder Tyler Meidell
Who ever said anything about crying? I don't cry, unless I'm speaking in sacrament meeting. That's the only place. Only. Ever. Stay salty. (you prolly don't ever see these comments)
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