This week was a lot of working with records since my companion became sick. We did a lot of good work, and by organizing our records, they're more useful. I also spent a lot of time updating member records, which helped me get to know the members in our ward better. Actually, that was most of the week, if you include making phone calls to get appointments. Necessary work, but not exactly glamorous to recite.
I was able to do exchanges this week though, and work with Elder Ryan from my district. We lived together for a while in Yeonsu, and now we live together in Incheon 2 Ward. We spent the day together working, and we were remarkably blessed in the evening. We thought we should trade phones with the other Elders who were at home, and so we took a different phone out with us after dinner. Not 20 minutes later, I got a phone call from a ward member who wanted to talk to me. We rode a taxi to the church, double time, and a ward member referred us to her nephew. He wants to study the gospel and English with us! He's never gone to church before, and so he doesn't know much about religion. We're very excited to teach him the gospel, and help him receive baptism. He's close to our age, and that's about the age we're focusing on in our mission. That's the age at which people start to wonder about life, and become prepared to hear the gospel. Those are the people who serve missions, marry in the temple, and become future leaders in the kingdom of God.
On the weekend, Elder Dent was on the mend, so we were able to go out and do some things. We attended an English speech competition as special guest judges, by invitation of one of our investigators. It was a fun experience; we helped judge the entrants, then were treated to lunch by the organizers of the event. That evening, we also attended a party at the church, for two sister missionaries who had just returned from their missions. It was great to see how excited the ward was to have them home, and to see their testimony of missionary work, and a determination to carry forward member missionary work.
This week we also had interviews with President. While waiting, we made little planner inserts with a set of scriptures about faith. We're calling it, "The Faith Project." As we've striven to read and think about these scriptures throughout the day, I've found my faith increasing. One of my favorites is this passage from the beginning of the Bible:
I was able to do exchanges this week though, and work with Elder Ryan from my district. We lived together for a while in Yeonsu, and now we live together in Incheon 2 Ward. We spent the day together working, and we were remarkably blessed in the evening. We thought we should trade phones with the other Elders who were at home, and so we took a different phone out with us after dinner. Not 20 minutes later, I got a phone call from a ward member who wanted to talk to me. We rode a taxi to the church, double time, and a ward member referred us to her nephew. He wants to study the gospel and English with us! He's never gone to church before, and so he doesn't know much about religion. We're very excited to teach him the gospel, and help him receive baptism. He's close to our age, and that's about the age we're focusing on in our mission. That's the age at which people start to wonder about life, and become prepared to hear the gospel. Those are the people who serve missions, marry in the temple, and become future leaders in the kingdom of God.
On the weekend, Elder Dent was on the mend, so we were able to go out and do some things. We attended an English speech competition as special guest judges, by invitation of one of our investigators. It was a fun experience; we helped judge the entrants, then were treated to lunch by the organizers of the event. That evening, we also attended a party at the church, for two sister missionaries who had just returned from their missions. It was great to see how excited the ward was to have them home, and to see their testimony of missionary work, and a determination to carry forward member missionary work.
This week we also had interviews with President. While waiting, we made little planner inserts with a set of scriptures about faith. We're calling it, "The Faith Project." As we've striven to read and think about these scriptures throughout the day, I've found my faith increasing. One of my favorites is this passage from the beginning of the Bible:
"Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
(Genesis 18:11-14)
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
(Genesis 18:11-14)
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
Personally, I find the faith of Abraham very inspiring. Perhaps it's for this reason that God commanded ancient Israel, through His prophet Isaiah,
Personally, I find the faith of Abraham very inspiring. Perhaps it's for this reason that God commanded ancient Israel, through His prophet Isaiah,
"Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged.
"Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah,she that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him."
(2 Nephi 8:1-2/Isaiah 51:1-2)
"Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah,she that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him."
(2 Nephi 8:1-2/Isaiah 51:1-2)
They're an example for us, of righteousness and faith. Paul wrote to the Romans of Abraham's faith, saying,.
"[Abraham] against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
"And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
"And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."
(Romans 4:18-22)
"And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
"And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."
(Romans 4:18-22)
Do we ever face moments where we're asked to, against all hope, believe in hope? Are we ever called to ignore our own conditions and believe in God, being not weak in faith? Are we ever in danger of faltering, staggering because of unbelief?
If yes, then we need to remember what strengthened Abraham. God is able to perform what He promises. God will do what He said He would. We have multitudes of promises from God, promising that all will be will if we only love God, love each other, and keep His commandments.
Of course, my interview with President itself was terrific. Being able to talk with him has increased my desire to talk more with my parents at home. I've come to treasure time with mentors, and the most important mentor in any person's life should be their parents. I know they're among the most important people in my life!
If yes, then we need to remember what strengthened Abraham. God is able to perform what He promises. God will do what He said He would. We have multitudes of promises from God, promising that all will be will if we only love God, love each other, and keep His commandments.
Of course, my interview with President itself was terrific. Being able to talk with him has increased my desire to talk more with my parents at home. I've come to treasure time with mentors, and the most important mentor in any person's life should be their parents. I know they're among the most important people in my life!
Love,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
No comments:
Post a Comment