This
week was much like our other weeks in quarantine, although we looked
apprehensively towards transfers. No one likes change, and transfers bring
change unpredictably and with distinct finality. My companion, Elder Hancock,
is being transferred to Fred,Texas, and Elder Morgan will be joining me here in
Welsh.
While we weren't
affected by this in our transfers, this was a crazy batch because we had 42 new
missionaries come in! All of the missionaries who were sent home from foreign
missions are being reassigned, and we got a heavy contingent. President was
initially planning on about 20, and was only told this week that he would be
getting more. I imagine he has had a very long week.
Our daily devotionals
have continued to be inspiring. This week Brenda Nelson Miles, President
Nelson's daughter, gave us a presentation on the prophet’s life, which was
pretty cool. It is strange to see him as a real person! We were also addressed
by Elders Kyle S McKay and Sean Douglas of our area presidency.
I can't decide if time
is picking up pace or slowing down, but in any case, Louisiana has extended
their stay at home order until May the 15th at the least, so our quarantine is
not quite over yet. While I long to just knock on some doors, we are trying to
make the best of it all.
On Saturday President
Hewlett mentioned that he had not yet asked anyone to present the Come Follow
Me Lesson for the mission's zoom call on Sunday. I ignored the nagging feeling
that it would be us, right up until he texted us asking us to do it. It was a
good experience, however. It helped me see how the Come Follow Me program could
be used.
I have really
struggled with Come Follow Me (not least because it hasn’t been my focus, as a
missionary), because I just didn't see how to incorporate it into my studies. I
traditionally just read through, taking notes as I go along about anything that
stands out to me. And I just couldn't imagine taking a whole week to read the
passages that they select. Studying Come Follow Me to present, however, helped
to broaden my perspective. I realized that while my method, of reading straight
through, is completely valid as a scripture study method, that it is not the
only valid or beneficial way to read. You could study any number of ways:
rereading a passage on multiple days, memorizing specific scriptures, finding
cross references for topics discussed in a chapter. I realized that while I may
only spend so much time reading the scriptures a day, that I study them for a
larger portion as I use and look up scriptures while reading, journaling, or
discussing.
So some benefit can
come from unexpected assignments, moral of the story. And I was shown my
weaknesses, that I could be made stronger (see Ether 12:27). And if you look up
that scripture, congratulations, that is part of your scripture study!
Anyways, I will be
driving most of the day, from this end of the mission to the other and back
again.
See y'all later,
Elder DeFord
No comments:
Post a Comment