Hello!
I'm sure i've exhausted this phrase for everyone, but this week flew by. I'd honestly be surprised if any upcoming week goes faster just because of how all over the place we were. Tuesday we exchanged with the east zone leaders. Elder Acor was soimpressive, He's still under a year, but he's prepared for a mission in the best way anyone can. He had a long consistent life of pure living. For that reason he is a clean vessel for the Lord, and his purity brings a spiritual power and maturity to his conduct and teaching. He didn't have to tell me about what he did before the mission for me to know, I could see it in his countenance, and feel it in the way he loved me and the people we met. What a tremendous secret. The best way to get ready for a mission, it to live the principles from for the strength of youth, to a T. I believe that! That same day we ate with a family who lived on the Air Force base and I really liked the life style of this byu air force rotc grad. Anywho, it was neat to see what the product of that program looked like. He was a pilot instructor.
Wednesday was an out of the ordinary fun day. There were last minute needs for missionaries in the kyle texas Helaman camp. Elder Masters and I could go because when we leave, our companions work our two areas together because we serve in the same ward.
It was such a good experience. 60 young men were divided up into companionships and zones. For their second day in a three-day camp, one full-time missionary works with each pair of young men. I worked with brother bishop and brother casteblanca. The camp director pulled me aside asking if I could help one boy who was battling between a mission and a girlfriend and I said I was all over that. That's my specialty. When I'd left he'd verbally committed to truly prepare by letting this girl go. I emailed him today to follow up. It was so fun to see how the spirit was working with him all day, and as I worked believing that the Lord would manifest his spirit and convert this boys heart the promises were fulfilled. As president slaughter spoke on purity you could see the spirit work in the boys needing repentance as they literally squirmed and shuffled around in their seats.
I served with Elder Rasmussen on thursday in a singles ward, and then Elder Tingey in the border. I was so excited to work in Eagle Pass again. A huge part of my heart is still in that city. I made some of my first promises to God there, and my life has forever been changed because of the experiences he let me have there. We biked in 105 degrees so it was just like last summer! We were hungry and sweaty and we taught a lot. Elder TIngey is so humble, I really look up to him for that, and Elder Jackson has been on a bike for over a year of his mission, so he gets my respect.
The Doctrine I learned this week that really changed who I am was the doctrine of the fall. Knowing that we are carnal, sensual, develish, contary to the nature of happiness, fallen, filthy and in the gall of bitterness gives light and reason to the question, who am I? Why am I like this? How can I change? Self criticism has been a big part of my life as I've tried to improve, and often the spirit has left as i've spoken ill of the lord's annointed - myself. Knowing who I really am as a fallen man, let me know to not beat myself over weakness that will always be with me. Of course i'm working to overcome them, but they don't have to beset and discourage me. In this life I guess you never arrive at the tree of eternal life, you have to die to get there, but in this life you can progress on the path of the gospel by applying the doctrine of christ as trials spur us toward progression.
I love you!
Stay Salty!
Elder Tyler Meidell
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