Spring is warm here. It's gotten above 90F a few
times since the end of March. Usually it's pretty warm and you can
already see the haze of humidity in the air. Fun times. I'm just glad
that we're in that nice, in-between period of time where we don't have
to wear suits but it's not so warm/humid that I go through more than one
handkerchief in 4 hours.
We had an interesting lesson in church yesterday. Our bishop led a slideshow to teach people about how
to answer questions about our religion when confronted by those not of
our faith. It answered (with the official words of the Church) answers
to questions like "Are you Christian? Do you practice polygamy? Are you
racist? Why can't you drink coffee? and Do you really believe that
you'll get your own planet someday?" It was pretty nerve-racking for me
because we had an investigator there, but she really liked it and didn't
seem phased at all. It was good because the Church is getting a ton of
publicity because of recent political things (a lot of which I'm very
unfamiliar with, being cut off from access to the news and all), but
also because a less-active member of our ward is running for NC
governor, and one of the amendments being considered is the definition
of marriage. Turns out that he felt prompted to come to Church
yesterday, the Spirit taught him what he needed to hear in sacrament
meeting and the 3rd hour of church, and we were able to meet him and
teach him later in the day. Pretty neat.
We recently got to train ward mission leaders and
bishops/branch presidents with the stake high councilor over missionary
work and it went really well. The Book of Mormon reading companion
program is finally over as of today.
If you don't remember, the program was to
assign a member to be a reading companion for an investigator to see if
the Book of Mormon helps with conversion and retention. I know for a
fact that it does, but we've only had about
5 readings take place in the last 2 months with 14 investigators
involved. It just makes me a little upset to see a potentially amazing
and work-changing program go to waste because it didn't have enough
fuel. But oh well. We did our best and that's all we have control over.
This experience has really made me realize how much of an effect I have
on others when I don't magnify my calling. My whole missionary has
taught me that. For example, if everyone did their home and visiting
teaching each week, I bet that the 50% of our ward that's inactive would
be more like a 5 or 10%. I'm not saying that the members here are
horrible or lazy or anything; I know that we all have struggles and that
it can be really hard to make time for things that aren't always on our
minds. I am just as flawed. But it's really helped me realize how very
important it is that no matter what calling we receive, we've got to
magnify it to the best of our abilities. I
hope that's something I always remember as I move on to life after the
mission.
Have a great week.
With love,
Elder Schank/Ken
