Hello again!

 

To explain it simply, this week was a little bit of a harder missionary week. Don't get me wrong I'm not discouraged nor close to being so but there are just some week when you feel like you didn't really accomplish anything. BUT, when you do your numbers at the end of the week and think back of the things you accomplished you realize that you did have success, even though the numbers may not show it. The worth of a soul is great in the sight of our Heavenly Father.

 

We have come to discover that we have reached a cross road in regards to finding in our area. Elder Beames and Elder Crandall (the zone leaders that brought about the greatest culture change in our zone) basically tracted this place five or six times over (at least :)). Ever time we go to an area and ask people if they have talked to missionaries before they tell us "Yeah, they came by a few months ago! One was really tall and the other was really short." We respond with "Did one of those missionaries have the name of Elder Beames?" They respond with "BEANS! That's the one I remember. No I'm not really interested but thanks for stopping by again!" then they shut the door. We've come to realize that now is the time for the members to shine. We need to find through the members.

 

With all of our finding worries from the past few days, Elder Miles and I dedicated our whole Saturday to finding. Here's the excerpt from my journal:

 

"We had an interesting experience on Saturday. More or less a major testimony builder that Heavenly Father answers our prayers but sometimes we really need to work for them. We found a grand total of 1 new investigator but...well, just wait for the story. Elder Miles and I basically set up an all day finding day on Saturday. We set up a lot of potential appointments but put "tract the area" for our backups. We knew that if we were prompted to go to that area there must be a reason. Well, we didn't have a ton of luck in the morning. A semi-committed potential but nothing too promising. Well, after lunch we went to this area that I could tell hadn't been visited a ton. Apparently there is a lot of gang violence there (never thought those existed in Phoenix did ya :D) Well, when we got to the area I had this impression that there was someone on the street waiting to talk to us. I just felt it deep in my soul. So we said a prayer, went to go check on the guy we intended to visit but ended up tracting the street when he didn't answer his door. We knocked 2 houses when we came to this mexi-house with it's door open. When we started going up to the door the lady inside was a little surprised that we were coming to talk to her. Well, we talked to her for a while but before we left she said that she was watching this non-religious when she told us that for some reason the random thought came into her head of "when am I going to go back to church." At that moment she turned to see us walking up to her door. Pretty cool if you ask me."

 

I've come to realize the power of the statement that my trainer told me about 10 months ago. He said, "Heavenly Father has a list of people in heaven that he is prepared. He knows his sheep and he knows what ones are ready to hear the gospel. Our job is to do everything in our power to find them and bring them into the fold." Talk about a pretty powerful statement. It just so happens that my trainer is now an Assistant to the President. I've come to realize just how much those 2 transfers with him have changed my mission.

 

My friends, the mission is a powerful experience...tears come to my eyes as I reflect on the incredible experiences (and sometimes almost impossibly difficult obstacles) I've had. I have no intention of leaving behind what I've learned. This is the work of the Lord and it is my sacred privilege to share this message with everyone.

 

I hope that you all have a fantastic week. Know that you are loved by our Heavenly Father and that you are in my prayers. Remember "Keep trying to do your best, even when it's hard." Have a safe week and until next post, iQue Dios les bendiga!

 

Sincerely,

Elder Klemme