Well it's been another bustlin week here...I'll start with the work here. It's been kind of slow....we have a ton of people that we have to teach that like the church, have capabilities to go to church, and would probably be baptized, but we just can't seem to sit down with these people. There's Junior, a 19 year old kid who has been on and off dating a member....he's always been going to activities and church, and we always thought it was because of his girlfriend, but we when found out that it had been 5 months since they broke up, and he was still showing up at all the activities (even if she wasn't even there), we figured he must have another reason. He always got all serious whenever we joked around with him about the church or getting baptized, but this week, he accepted the invite! He just doesn't want to be taught unless his girlfriend is there....and let me say, her schedule is nuts.
Then theres Babi ("bah-bee" nickname her for Barbara). She too is dating a member, and has been going to church....she really likes everything, and wants us to teach her. We just need her lazy bones boyfriend to show us where she lives! We also have that same family of 3, Xavier, Branca, and Ruth that are just waiting to for the government to finish their marriage paperwork and they will be good to go! Like I said, there's a lot to hope for here! We just need to get the wheels rolling!
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| Our zone that helped us with our move....we didnt have a truck or anything....just the strength of the priesthood! |
Conference was wonderful! We were lucky enough to get to watch conference in English. Everyone complains her how annoying it is to watch conference with a translator (even the Brazilians find it annoying). It's a blessing that I've never even stopped to think about until now. Interesting fact for you: some of the apostles, such as Elder Scott, that speak other languages record their talks beforehand and transmit their voice instead of an interpreter. Let's just say he gets huge bonus points with the natives here....they reallllly like to hear an apostle's own voice. We had a TV set up in a different room....just me and the 5 other Americans in our zone....it was wierd being in a room with 5 Americans, watching General Conference in English, and being in Brazil....very weird. We were able to watch all of the sessions live, besides the Priesthood session. That started at the ripe hour of 6AM on Sunday. It was welll worth it. One of the talks that stood out to me was President Eyring (it's funny, because I'm not the biggest fan of him....everyone has their favorites don't they??). He spoke about how he heard Pres Kimball talk about how he prayed to have challenges and adversity so that he could have more opportunities to grow and develop. He thought it would be a cool idea, and so he tried, and had the flood gate opened on him. I too have tried to adopt that attitude since my mission started, asking for trials and opportunities to have more patience. If you have been more or less reading my emails, you know that my "prayers" (as Pres Eyring said) are also being answered! I really liked the perspective, advice, and counsel that he gave afterwards. A great talk really.
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| How the gringos watched general conference...we had a tv in english in a seperate room |
Well more to the temporal affairs of the Kingdom here....I did a companionship exchange in Paulista....I won't mention their names in the remote chance that someone knows them (well I guess the world within in the church culture is rather small...), but they are PIGS! I have never seen a missionary apartment so DIRTY before. We spent 3 hours just doing the dishes and cleaning the fridge....when I asked them how they let things get so out of control, I received a truly priceless response....."Elder McKinley, we spent 6 hours cleaning yesterday...." Boy did I laugh out loud at that....it was all in good spirits....we were joking around about it, but it is a serious problem....you can't function in a place like that, let alone feel the spirit of the Lord or get meaningful rest. I gave them a bit of a pep talk, but I'm afraid it fell on deaf ears. Casting pearls before swine huh?
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| Our zone that helped us with our move....we didnt have a truck or anything....just the strength of the priesthood! |
Well here's to the most difficult part of my week, my companion. It's funny, because the first month we have been together I was in heaven....then he got dengue, homesick, and a less that good attitude. When we were on a bus to visit another area, he unloaded his complaints on me, and to me. He started telling me how much of a robot I am that only cares about the rules and doesn't really love the people. He told me that I say "good evening" to everyone on the street, but that "3 nights in a row, I didn't say goodnight to him before going to bed"....probably because I was saying my prayers, or he was in the shower when I went to bed or something. I wish that was all....
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| What my companion has been doing to try and keep his sanity before the end of his mission in July |
He told me that he has a problem being subject to authority, whether that be a boss or a mission president (I wonder if that means God too?), and that he only follows rules when his companion is pulling him too (I've been pulling.) He told me that he has been strong to withstand being my companion, but that other Elders won't be as prepared or "mentally tough" as him as to withstand my style. I asked him what he thought it was that changed in our companionship, between the good times and the bad times, and he said that I was the one who changed, and was demanding perfection of him now. I didn't even respond to that. I know I'm not perfect, and please don't think that I'm being too confident here, but I know that I have always been pulling to obey the rules....I can't allow myself to not...I seriously wanted to pull out my BoM and call my good friend Lehi into the situation.
"And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord." 1 Nephi 3:5
I seriously feel that that prayer (the one for trials) is being answered on a daily basis, and in ever increasingly creative and uncomfortable ways. I find an exercise analogy interesting. Those of you familiar with "P90X" or "Insanity" will know what I'm talking about. Insanity is a workout program that you do without using weights....just your body....miracles happen in 90 days with the bodies of these people. The secret to the program's sauces, is something called muscle confusion, meaning that the muscles never have time to get used to the exercises. Because of this, the muscles are ALWAYS being tested and strengthened in different and new ways, and because of this, dramatic (and seriously, if you need to google some before and afters to understand, be my guest) changes are brought about. I have found a different version of "Insanity"....it's called a mission. Only the Lord knows how to pick out and strengthen the weaknesses that I have, and boy is he doing a number on me. For you perspective missionaries out there, don't let this deter you. Anyone of the people that do P90X will afterwards say that it was 110% worth it....the same is true for a returned missionary, but don't you get lazy halfway through the program. The program here is divine.....it IS and ordained of the Lord. The results are 100% guaranteed....but you have to obey the conditions first.
I am SO happy and pleased with the results and changes that I am seeing in my life. Unlike P90X, the results and blessings are just limited to the participant....they are to share!
I am seeing the lives of my companions, the lives of these wonderful and blessed people here in Pernambuco, and the lives of family members (yes even you guys are benefiting because of this wonderful "program"!) being transformed (not just changing....but seriously being transformed). I get on my knees every night with the initial impression to plead for help and relief, but then I take a deep breath, and thank the Lord for tall that he is doing for me and those around me with these 2 years.
I know I write a lot, but I really do have a desire to share my experiences and growth with all of you back at home! I hope you find time to read and ponder the miracles that are being wrought in my life here, because I know that they too are available for each and everyone of you.
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| Pizza we ordered....it's a bit different here....but It was more or less a taste of home! |
Until next time,
-Elder McKinley
P.S. Don't forget to smile!
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