Buenos dias!
So looking back, we definitely haven't been putting the emphasis on OYM-ing that we should. This past week, we had 8 of our 10 dates fall through, for lack of attendance at church. I think we've been thinking that if we focus too much on OYM-ing during the week, that it will throw off our lessons. But the thing is, we really need to build our area, and we can't build it simply by hoping to find one or two good people. If we really focus on OYM-ing during those times, we can build up our area so that no matter where we are at, we can still bring people unto Christ. This past Sunday, not being able to teach anyone, and having one of our awesome investigators get called into work, really made me think about what we are doing here, how we are working, and what we can do better. I really want to return to being a Preach My Gospel and Standards of Excellence missionary, and I want to make sure Elder Kobayashi is right there with me.
During this past week, we had a very unique experience. I have a sound testimony that the role plays we do in our companionships and in our conferences really are inspired of God. This past Saturday, we went and visited a less-active member. She was there with a new investigator we began teaching this past week. We started teaching her, because she hasn't been to church, and we really want her to remember why we go: to take the Sacrament and renew our covenants. Into the lesson, we asked if she could read a scripture for us out of the Book of Mormon. She said she couldn't read very well, so this investigator who was there offered to read. We let him read, but then he started asking a lot of questions. They weren't deep questions, or even questions with a clear direction. Just like in the role play, he was trying to pull us back into a discussion of the Bible and churches. While we did want to bring everyone in the room unto Christ, our purpose in going was to rescue this less-active member. Our focus was on her. We could come back and teach him, but our drive and desire was for her to return to church. When Elder Kobayashi and I talked about it afterwards, we realized that those role plays we did came to both of our minds during the lesson, and we had really tried to turn the focus back on her.
Also during this same lesson, this investigator started into a discussion on the Bible, and comparing scriptures in the Bible to scriptures that he wanted us to read out of the Book of Mormon. In that time, something I learned (and stuck with me) at mission conference came to mind: that we are not here to be taught, we are here to teach. That doesn't mean shutting someone down when they begin to express their thoughts and impressions. Quite the opposite, actually. But what I learned (one thing among many) during this lesson was that we know our message is true. We know so many gospel truths that others are still looking for, yet still don't know them when they see them. And our comission is to testify with power and authority from God that these things are true. He has called us to make them known to others, and He wants us to bring souls unto Him. We are not here to be taught, though we learn every day. We are here to teach, baptize, and help each of our investigators endure to the end.
As for how things are going in the Arnett home: Joshua Arnett left on his mission this past Wednesday. With him packing up leading up to his flight out to Utah, I remembered what it felt like in those few days leading up to the MTC. The Arnetts are still waiting on hearing back from him, on when his P-day is and everything, but hopefully, his MTC experience is going well!!!
And that pretty much does it for updates out here! Oh! But I had a request!
We discovered that the Arnetts' have a blender...Which we used for the first time today. And so I was wondering...What was the base you usually use in the smoothies? What are some of the really good-tasting smoothies that you've made? That would be really good, to start eating a lot healthier and having some smoothies on most days. How much splenda do you usually substitute in there? Just wondering .
Hmm...What else....I think that about does it for here! Sounds like things have been pretty exciting back at home! That 'Red Asphalt' is always a big hit (haha NOT!) How'd Justin do with it? How's everyone else been? Has Hachi stopped barking so much?
Well, my time's about up. Last time, my sign-off was cut short, because I sent the e-mail at 2 seconds...I'd not like to do that again... So I have time!
Until next time!
Con mucho amor, a infinidad - y mas alla!
El Devinator
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