My 2nd born son is awesome. Ready for this... He is Elder Jordan Jones from Kanab. Yes he knows the family. He has one of the best attitudes I have seen from anyone on the mission. He is definitely training me and it has been quite fun working with him. We graduated 4 years apart from one another but we have a lot in common. Tracting is very fun because we both easily dispel each other's fears.
For conference this year I was firmly determined to have a fully spiritual feast. I looked at what I did last conference that I took notes on. (yes, I love journals) I looked at things I could do better to be more prepared. Last time I remember simply going to the Church after companion study and 'waiting' for the onslaught of investigators to show up. I felt I could have been more developed to enjoy the messages so this year, the plan of action was to contact.
For conference this year I was firmly determined to have a fully spiritual feast. I looked at what I did last conference that I took notes on. (yes, I love journals) I looked at things I could do better to be more prepared. Last time I remember simply going to the Church after companion study and 'waiting' for the onslaught of investigators to show up. I felt I could have been more developed to enjoy the messages so this year, the plan of action was to contact.
We had a referral on the west side of town and knowing that when we get a referral it usually means the Lord wants us in that area for a reason, whether it be the referral or to find someone else. We gave the lady what she had ordered but she claimed to be too busy to meet with us so we set up an appointment and immediately began finding in the area. Eventually after knocking a few select doors that didn't look inhabited by our Spanish brothers and sisters, we got to a young man and young lady who were having a small yard sale that day. After some initial conversation she told us that she has a member grandmother and has already been to church with her elsewhere. We set up an appointment and made a mad dash for conference because we were running a bit behind. I love it! It seems that once studies are over in the morning, the Spirit says "Alright I'm outta here. Come find me." And once we are out contacting and inviting others to learn more, He jumps out from behind them and says "Found me!"
We had about 80 miles left over on our car allotment for the end day of the month, yet we got on our bikes anyway and rode to an appointment. As President Smith would say "We are in a jungle of people who think we're crazy." We rode through the campus on our route to the appointment and Elder Jones commented on how much we were stared down. We made some contacts that were fruitless but always they produce an increase measure of the Spirit.
On Thursday we tracted a bit of an older more well established neighborhood. As we got the first door slammed in our face Elder Jones looked at me and said "wow, that was actually kind of painful." But his attitude stayed strong and we pushed along talking to others. I have noticed my own attitude change with my new companion piece by piece. The talk by President Benson gave "Beware of Pride" sits on my desk regularly. It was awesome to hear President Uchtdorf resurrect it so to speak. Brother McConkie's talk was very eye opening to me when he explained that the attitude of the teacher and the love he has is what makes great teachers. Immediately as I have applied that at doors in between sessions I felt a difference. Instead of the prideful need of proving that 'come on, just listen about how we're right and you can know it' it is like a burden has been lifted and its OK to accept failure to not enter into a door. Just love them enough to move on while they become more prepared.
When Elder Nelson asked all the missionaries to stand up in Priesthood session I felt very proud yet humbled by my calling. I appreciated all the comments on accountability and time because it seems like getting home every night, I have to explain to my Heavenly Father why there was a certain time of the day we essentially did not use to all of our benefit. The more effective and planned out our time is, the more satisfied and self appreciated I can feel.
This first week I must admit was a trial of Faith in some respects. It seems as though I had not a single investigator lesson planned for my new son for his first week. Regardless, he was excited to tract and find, teach, and baptize. My prayers have been answered because I needed a renewed diligence in my life as a missionary. Yesterday, after conference we skipped both lunch and dinner to go teach and to find. We taught a lady on her doorstep and committed her to baptism on the 7th of November. It was technically the first full restoration lesson we taught together to an investigator and it went surprisingly very well. The excitement in Elder Jones eye got me excited.
I loved conference. I was determined to feast spiritually and the Lord answered my prayers. I felt stronger as a missionary to have confidence that the Spirit was directing me in my efforts. I remembered very clearly from one of the talks directed towards the youth to what I now interpret "pray your fears out of you." I chose to tract a rich neighborhood in between yesterday's sessions and when we pulled up we both were genuinely nervous, scared, fearful. But I knew we had already prayed for that to go away. We got out of the car and after a couple of contacts the Spirit filled us with love, trust, confidence, etc... I sure hope I can apply more of the messages and hidden treasures from conference into my life as a missionary and in the future. Direct prayers were answered, my patriarchal blessing was nearly quoted word for word 3 times this weekend. Questions were answered.
Isnt the restored Gospel exciting?
Love Elder Metcalf
We had about 80 miles left over on our car allotment for the end day of the month, yet we got on our bikes anyway and rode to an appointment. As President Smith would say "We are in a jungle of people who think we're crazy." We rode through the campus on our route to the appointment and Elder Jones commented on how much we were stared down. We made some contacts that were fruitless but always they produce an increase measure of the Spirit.
On Thursday we tracted a bit of an older more well established neighborhood. As we got the first door slammed in our face Elder Jones looked at me and said "wow, that was actually kind of painful." But his attitude stayed strong and we pushed along talking to others. I have noticed my own attitude change with my new companion piece by piece. The talk by President Benson gave "Beware of Pride" sits on my desk regularly. It was awesome to hear President Uchtdorf resurrect it so to speak. Brother McConkie's talk was very eye opening to me when he explained that the attitude of the teacher and the love he has is what makes great teachers. Immediately as I have applied that at doors in between sessions I felt a difference. Instead of the prideful need of proving that 'come on, just listen about how we're right and you can know it' it is like a burden has been lifted and its OK to accept failure to not enter into a door. Just love them enough to move on while they become more prepared.
When Elder Nelson asked all the missionaries to stand up in Priesthood session I felt very proud yet humbled by my calling. I appreciated all the comments on accountability and time because it seems like getting home every night, I have to explain to my Heavenly Father why there was a certain time of the day we essentially did not use to all of our benefit. The more effective and planned out our time is, the more satisfied and self appreciated I can feel.
This first week I must admit was a trial of Faith in some respects. It seems as though I had not a single investigator lesson planned for my new son for his first week. Regardless, he was excited to tract and find, teach, and baptize. My prayers have been answered because I needed a renewed diligence in my life as a missionary. Yesterday, after conference we skipped both lunch and dinner to go teach and to find. We taught a lady on her doorstep and committed her to baptism on the 7th of November. It was technically the first full restoration lesson we taught together to an investigator and it went surprisingly very well. The excitement in Elder Jones eye got me excited.
I loved conference. I was determined to feast spiritually and the Lord answered my prayers. I felt stronger as a missionary to have confidence that the Spirit was directing me in my efforts. I remembered very clearly from one of the talks directed towards the youth to what I now interpret "pray your fears out of you." I chose to tract a rich neighborhood in between yesterday's sessions and when we pulled up we both were genuinely nervous, scared, fearful. But I knew we had already prayed for that to go away. We got out of the car and after a couple of contacts the Spirit filled us with love, trust, confidence, etc... I sure hope I can apply more of the messages and hidden treasures from conference into my life as a missionary and in the future. Direct prayers were answered, my patriarchal blessing was nearly quoted word for word 3 times this weekend. Questions were answered.
Isnt the restored Gospel exciting?
Love Elder Metcalf
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