Sheep

A few weeks ago we recieved a copy of the General Conference issue of the Ensign for our apartment. Since then I have been reading the talks every now and then during personal study. I love them all so much! Last week it was my turn to go to the Singles Branch for Relief Society and Sunday School. (My companion and I rotate every week) During Sunday School the teacher asked the class who could share with the class what President Monson had said in the last General Conference. The room was slient. Not one person could say. I felt even worse for knowing that I had just read these talks and couldn't remember what he said. The following week I re-read all of President Monson's talks and I learned a lot but now two weeks later, I can remember only a few things. It just goes to show me how easy it is to forget.  I want to be prepared next time someone asks me "What did President Monson say last conference?" For me as a missionary, I want to be able to say to my investigators why the latter prophet is teaching. He is in fact the prophet for the WHOLE WORLD!!! I need to remember how important his words are and really remember his counsel.

I also read a conference talk given by Adrian Ochoa. I really really liked what he said in his talk. My favorite part is this:

"I add my voice to the call Elder Jeffrey R. Holland made to you six months ago from this pulpit. “I am looking,” he said, “for men young and old who care enough about this battle between good and evil to sign on and speak up. We are at war.” He continued, “… I ask for a stronger and more devoted voice, a voice not only against evil … , but a voice for good, a voice for the gospel, a voice for God” (“We Are All Enlisted,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2011, 44, 47).  Yes, Aaronic Priesthood holders, we are at war. And in this war, the best way to defend against evil is to actively promote righteousness. You cannot listen to foul words and pretend you don’t hear. You cannot watch, alone or with others, images you know are filthy and pretend you don’t see. You cannot touch any unclean thing and pretend it’s no big deal. You cannot be passive when Satan seeks to destroy that which is wholesome and pure. Instead, stand up boldly for what you know is true! When you hear or see anything that violates the Lord’s standards, remember who you are—a soldier in the army of God Himself, empowered with His holy priesthood. There is no better weapon against the enemy, the father of lies, than the truth that will come out of your mouth as you exercise the power of the priesthood. Most of your peers will respect you for your courage and your integrity. Some will not. But that doesn’t matter. You will gain the respect and trust of Heavenly Father because you used His power to accomplish His purposes."

I think it is true. It is so easy to pretend we don't hear or see something that is not in accordance with righteouness. I know for me it is easy. I like how Elder Holland and Elder Ochoa called it a war. It is true. We are at War with Satan every minute of every day. EVERY SECOND. We had to really do those basic things to be ready to fight back. Those basic things being go to the temple, go to church, read the scriptures, pray, etc. They are those answers we hear all the time but they are SO IMPORTANT.

My companion and I have been teaching a less active member every Sunday. He has a little daughter who is just barely walking. This last Sunday we were talking to him about the Preisthood and being worthy to have it in his home. We actually aren't sure if he has it because he has been inactive since right after 12....i think. Anyway during our lesson I realized how much worse this world is going to get. We need to be better then we were yesterday to defend ourselves against Satan. I really like teaching him because I have realized how important it is to bring people back to the church. In our conference with Elder L. Tom Perry he told us to have a teaching pool of 10 investigators and 10 people who are no longer active. His main focus, if I remember correctly, was to have the Preisthood back in homes. Teaching this guy every Sunday I can now see the vision. I can see HOW important it REALLY is. I really like what the ward is doing out here, each organization like Relief Society, Preisthood, etc is in charge of 5 families who are less active, They are each in charge of working with these people to try and re-active them. I can already see the change the ward has had in bring these people back to the fold. I am so grateful I get to be a part of the wards efforts to remember the one sheep. I know that there is that story about the shepherd forgetting the 99 and going after the 1 but I have a new thought, just a theory, correcting me if I am wrong but don't sheep stick together? I mean most of the time I have see them they seem to stick in groups. My thought.. or rather this imagine I have in my mind... what would happen if you send the 99 out to go get the one? Haha Can you imagine 99 sheep going out to find one sheep? There is no way that this 1 sheep would not want to come back. 99 sheep just showed up at its door and asked the sheep to come join. haha That is the vision I have in my head. haha But think about it. If you were attending church and all of a sudden your visiting teachers, home teachers, neighbors, a whole bunch of people came over and started being your friend. Wouldn't you want to come back to the fold?

Two last thoughts 1- I heard this talk in the MTC about not telling people they need the church but telling them the church needs them. We are teaching a few people that I know if they came to church and realized all the good they could do for the ward it would make them feel important. One lady in particular I can just picture her being the BEST primary teacher and kid could have. Ah!!! I just want to show her how great should would be!

Thought 2- comes from conference I can't remember the exact talk but...oh wait I think it was Bishop Edgley. Bishop Edgley extended a call to a less active member to be a stake missionary. She explained how hard it was to come back to the fold. I didn't know but apparently there is a lot to worry about like having a friend, being welcome, etc.

Well I don't really know why I wrote about this today. Like I have said before I just sit down and write all the things that come to my mind. It is really all the things that I am learning and I hope to be good at by the time I come home. I was SO FAR from perfect at this before I left. I was more worried about my own life. I have had a huge wake up call.

The week has been really good. I ate a WHOLE fish. It was my first experience eating fish that way. I have a picture I will have to post sometime but just picture going fishing, catching a fish, then sticking in a pot just like it is to cook it, then taking it out putting a little sauce on it and serving it with skin, bones and all. I know it is not the weirdest thing missionaries have eaten but it was very different for me. How did it taste? SO GOOD!!!

Also I learned how to make papoozas! One of my investigators taught us a few weeks ago. I just forgot to tell you. They are really good. She said she was going to write down the directions for us. I am not a pro yet but maybe one day! They are a favorite around these parts. It is like a pancake with meat and beans or cheese inside. You top them with this vegetable salad kind of like coleslaw.

Well I got to go! LOVE YOU!!!!!

Ps I am going on bike for the day tomorrow. Keep me in your prayers. This fish my dry up in the hot sun! haha jk