Zone training this week focused on the question "what is diligence?" As a zone, we had a rousing discussion that drew from Preach My Gospel, the scriptures, and our personal experiences as missionaries. My favorite part of our training was the comment that diligence is not something that we do -- but it's an attitude, something in our hearts, that is conveyed by our actions. Diligence is your personal best effort, that comes from your desire to accomplish a goal, be it writing a novel or overcoming a bad temper. Diligence means effectiviciency -- being both effective and efficient. It doesn't always mean running around every moment of the day, but can often be a moment of reflection and thought, that makes the rest of the day all the more effective. Diligence also requires patience -- the ability to suffer setbacks, but not become discouraged.
This week culminated in our missionary work youth activity -- the joy of missionary work. It was hosted by Sisters Pratt -- who will return home this week -- and Sister Lee Kibbum (이기쁨), a missionary who returned home to the ward this week. Ironically, her name itself means "joy". After a brief meal together, she began the meeting by bearing her testimony. One experience she shared was how when she was a teenager, she decided she didn't want to go to church anymore. She talked to her parents, and they told her that when she turned 20 (Korean age) she could choose her own religion. She was elated by this, determined to have her way once she was 20. Then, the next Sunday, her mother told her to get ready and come to church. She was confused; she was 20 now, and could choose what to do. She reminded her mother of their deal, and she was told that it was still in effect: but to choose a religion was more than something you do with words; she would have to decide through experience, through church-going, prayer, and scripture study. She took up that side of the offer, and received her own testimony of Joseph Smith, the gospel, the Church, and the Savior. Because of that testimony, she decided to serve a mission, where, she testified, she's felt more of God's love and care than ever before.
After Sister Lee's testimony, Elder Schilling and I briefly shared what our source of joy in missionary work was. Elder Schilling shared part of the missionary call letter, which promises each missionary greater joy and happiness than they had yet experienced. I chose to speak about the relationships I've made in Korea. Without my mission, I never would've had the chance to meet so many people and learn to give of myself. My mission has taught me how to love, and joy comes from love. I quoted a song from Les Miserables, which states, "To love another person is to see the face of God." I believe that statement is true: when we learn to love like Christ did, we come to understand what God's viewpoint is like, in our own limited way. As we love others more fully, we start to understand how God feels about each one of us.
After, we talked a little bit about how missionaries often teach English, and played Sister Pratt's favorite English class game -- a variation on Rock, Paper, Scissors. Then, Elders Campbell and Stapp bore testimony of their decision to come on a mission, and how it's blessed them with joy. After that, we performed the musical skit that we'd been practicing for the past several weeks -- "A Missionary Day." It was a resounding success. Using songs from the Children's Songbook, we walked the audience through a day in the life of a missionary -- from call, to breakfast, to proselyting, to lessons. It was lots of fun, both singing and performing. The audience loved it, and it was satisfying to use my talents in a different language -- evidence of blessings from God.
To finish, Sisters Holbrook and Pratt bore testimony, and sang a song together. With several non-members and many youth in attendance, it was a huge success. It's probably one of the best activities that I've participated in my entire mission.
Church was odd, in the sense that there wasn't a single mention of Mother's Day -- that's an American holiday (although there was a parent's day earlier in the week). Sisters Pratt and Kibbum (기쁨) spoke once again, and it was a rather emotional meeting for those who were present in body and spirit. I've learned that when you're waiting to learn, or to feel, that's when we find the opportunities that are always there. That's something I can promise all of you: there are always chances to learn or feel something new. God constantly showers blessings upon us; it's only our insensitivity to them that keeps us from receiving them. We look for answers -- the answers we want, and not always necessarily the answer that's been given. We search for feelings -- feelings that confirm our thoughts, and not always the thing we need to feel. If we can learn to accept the will of the Lord and keep ourselves open, He will use the Spirit to teach us, and to help us, and to guide us. I know that's true; I've experienced it.
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