Hello Everyone:
I think a lot about my mission and the week I have just had before I write my letters to everyone. For me, this is the best way to learn from my week and decide how to make the coming week better than the last one. I have decided that I need to talk about misinterpretations. I am not talking about the people I teach and the Church (though that applies really well) I am talking about misinterpretations between individuals. I have seen and been a part of many misinterpretations. From my family to friends to companions, it seems to happen often. One instance that I want to bring as an example is the mistake that Laman and Lemuel made in reference to judging Nephi. Nephi was not self-righteous or prideful (though we know everyone struggles with those things). Nephi genuinely loved and cared for his brothers. He did not want them to be lost as they were going to be. He knew that he was supposed to try and bring them back and at every opportunity he gave them chances to follow him. They disregarded his ideas and thought only about how he was trying to make himself look better in their father's eyes. This was why they had such hard times with him. They only saw his actions as prideful and greedy not as him trying to raise those around him to a higher place. We have to be careful as we go forward and look at our leaders without seeing them as prideful or bad, we must understand that when people help and love others, though at times they may have the wrong intentions, we must take it the right way and not be offended. Meaning, on a daily basis, when your sibing gives you candy or does something nice for you, do not just assume that they are doing it because they need something from you. Understand that through the actions God askes us to do, there will be rewards and blessings that come, but that may not be why someone is doing it. If we are quick to praise people for the good they do and quick to accept service from others without doubting their motives or questioning their reasons, we will be happier and the kindness of others will bring us joy instead of questioning doubt.
Far too often I see this and to be honest, I have been a part of these misinterpretations. I have a very worldly view on things sometimes and I wonder why people are doing what they are doing. When I act, I know what my motives are and why I am doing something - I can work to make sure my motives are genuine and full of love. When I see others act, I am working on making sure I assume their motives are righteous and kind and good. Often we teach people here who question our motives and this makes it hard for them to feel the spirit in our teachings. I am working on my own interpretations people's actions and I hope they will see the genuine sincerity I have when I teach them and serve them. This will allow them to feel the spirit more. My responsibility is to always have the best of intentions and make sure I am doing all that I do with the spirit. People must be allowed and allow us to act out of a sincere desire, wishing the best for others rather then ourselves, that is why a sacrifice is not a sacrifice unless it is hard for us to give it up. Just as the widows mite, people were giving their excess or, in other words, money they did not need, but she gave all. The sacrifice from her was real because it was difficult to give it all up. When we move forward do so in the Spirit of sacrifice and make sure your intentions are genuine and not simply to receive blessings from God or praise in this world but for the welfare of others.
I love you all And I want to make sure I see you all at the Pearly gates. Lets take it a step and a day at a time, until i can stand next to all of you in the last day.
There are lizards everywhere here! My companion is awesome and teaches in Fante - I try to teach by the spirit right now because the people here don't speak as much English in other places I have been. I reached my year mark this week! My family sent two envelopes that actually arrived and that was awesome! Things are good and I am working hard. I am not wasting this opportunity though days are hot and long, sometimes. I am grateful for all the letters and notes I receive on Mondays. Thank you! We don't have any baptisms lined up right now but we have many, many investigators. The young people have to take religion classes here and they must answer as the teacher requires in order to pass the test. There are many conflicts between the religion class and what the missionaries teach so many of my investigators are confused on how to proceed as they learn the real gospel. I did not expect this twist of things and it is difficult to find a happy medium where they can develop a testimony in the true gospel but still pass their class by answering the test questions the way the teacher requires. We are very luck to have the freedoms we have to think as we wish.
Talk soon, Love, Edison
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