This week we also had our workshops where we go to every area in the mission and talk with every missionary about how they're doing in their work and how we can help them. We sit down with two missionaries or companionship and talk with them for about 40 minutes about what they need to work on so they can be more effective missionaries. This time was bittersweet for me because it is my last time doing workshops since next transfer I'll be in the field again and it will be my last transfer. It was such an amazing experience seeing every area in the mission and I love meeting with all the missionaries. The missionaries here have such incredible faith and determination to help the work and that is why we're having so much success. The best part about the Workshops is that the Spirit is always there. There have been so many times when the Spirit will tell us exactly what we need to do to help the missionaries or to help their investigators. During a workshop this sister said, "I know this sounds weird Elder but last night when I was praying for what I need to do to help my investigator your face just appeared in my mind and it's really really strange I know, but I want to tell you what's happening with her and hear some of your thoughts of how we can help her." They told me the situation with this woman and why she hasn't been baptized. The Spirit told me exactly what I needed to tell them and it was something really simple and I testified to them that it would all be right. Later that day I got an excited call from them reporting that she would be baptized the next day!! The Spirit is such an amazing thing--in these workshops we don't do anything it's a hundred percent the Holy Spirit. More and more I'm learning that being a missionary has less to do with me and 100% to do with the Spirit and help from God.
We didn't have any time to work in our area but we have a cool story. There's this boy Marco, who is 9 years old and from Brazil. He's been in Portugal for about 5 months and lives right across the street from the church so he's always interested to know what is going on. He likes to play around with the missionaries. We decided to invite him to be baptized and taught him and found out that his Mom is a less active member who said that he could be baptized. It was such an amazing experience baptizing Marco. He's a huge ball of energy that cannot be contained and reminds me of myself when I was really young. He loves to go to primary and always being in the church. His baptism was very special.
This week I studied Elder Bednar's talk from last conference about meekness. The more I learn about being "meek" the more I realize that this is NOT something that I am. He gave examples of meekness and I actually laughed out loud realizing how far I am from this attribute. He talked about the angry letters from Mormon to Pahoran where he rebuked him and then came to find out that Pahoran was doing the best he could under the circumstances. Pahoran was meek and responded in a righteous way. I remember about 2 weeks ago I was reading this very story in the scriptures and thought, "I hope this Governor, Pahoran, gives it to Mormon straight because he doesn't know anything that is going on." Right there I know that I really am not meek. But that's why we're here on this Earth--to learn and to improve and that's going to be my goal for this next week and life in general. I think it's interesting in the scriptures that they describe Jesus Christ as "meek". I think that is one of the perfect ways to described who Christ is. If we want to be more Christ-like we need to learn how to be meek. I'm excited for this challenge and realize my first place to practice is on the road. Unfortunately I have become a 100% Portuguese driver, and can't drive anywhere without having fights in my mind with other drivers about them cutting me off or making a stupid move. I can get really mad and even yell at them so it is very hard to have the Spirit with me while I'm driving. So I'm going to work on that--developing the attribute of meekness--especially while driving--this week.
My grandma has been dying and is expected to pass away this week. There will always be a special bond between my grandma, my mom and me.... the birthday triplets all born on June 15th. As I said a prayer for my grandma and mom in a dark room in the mission office I had the image in my mind of grandma hugging the Savior and being so excited to meet all of her ancestors that she has helped receive sacred ordinances. I remember all of the work she did for the dead and she will be so happy to meet them. I love her so much and I will miss her. I KNOW that we will all live together again. Grandma did her part, she was a faithful woman who loved and followed her Savior and will be in the celestial kingdom. Now it's up to us to join her.
I love you all!
ELDER HERRMANN
No comments:
Post a Comment