Dzień Dobry!
This has been my first transfer week, it was more stressful than I thought it would be but I am excited for this new start.
It's a big change being with Elder Meherg from what it was like with Elder Godwin. Elder Godwin reminded me not to compare the styles and never say anything to the effect of "well Elder Godwin and I did things this way." I thought it was obvious advice but it's been interesting learning how natural/tempting it is to say something like that. Changes are changes, for better, worse, or just simply different. It's taken some time to adjust to, in fact I am still am. I was thinking just before transfers about how comfortable I was feeling about things. The first transfer is crazy but then you learn. At first everything was out of my comfort zone but then as I learned and developed my comfort zone expanded. It's truly been a blessing to remember to turn to the Lord for everything. My prayers have again become more fervent and sincere. I do learn so many new things here but much of what I am being taught is remembrance. Repetition sometimes seems unneeded, merely redundant but it's essential for lasting growth. I am excited for this next transfer, to learn new things from Elder Meherg and have a fresh start. Elder Meherg is faithful and hardworking so I'm excited to see what we accomplish this transfer!
One of the greatest blessings about this last transfer is that I stayed in Wroclaw. Most people moved but I was lucky. The branch here continues to be a strength and blessing in my life. One of the best things about a new companion is a fresh start without specific expectations. We can always change and improve but with a new group of missionaries I feel like I can change things a little easier. For example at church yesterday, I talked to many more of the members and had deeper conversations. Before I was timid, unconfident, and relied on Elder Godwin. Now I feel more capable and want to get to know the members here better. With Elder Meherg there isn't that pattern of Elder Godwin taking the lead and me standing in the background. Yesterday I was more outgoing and engaged with the members, I think it also helps that I'm one of the "old missionaries" in Wroclaw, meaning the other missionaries (except for Sister Bown) are all new to the area. I love the members here. I want to serve and help them more but it's one of those situations where they are giving me so much more.
We met Mz on the street Saturday and invited him to church, he came yesterday. We then met with him and taught him a first. The lesson had a lot of tangents and didn't seem to have a great impact but we are meeting again. We will see. This week we have a lot of set up lessons, more than ever before - half are from the sisters (they are terrific!) - I am excited to meet and discuss the gospel with them.
Contacting has been a little tricky recently, I just have felt pretty discourage, especially in the group contactings (ex. whiteboards). This past week we had a whiteboard and I had a really successful time. I didn't teach or talk to more people than usual but my attitude was different. I talked to one bald guy with super sweet sunglasses, who said just two weeks before he had started looking into religion. He said he knew it was a priority but hadn't devoted much time to God. It was a testimony to me that Heavenly Father is preparing people to be ready to cross paths with us. They won't always become new investigators but I know that as we are there fulfilling our role of inviting others unto Christ we will find people who are ready to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This has been my first transfer week, it was more stressful than I thought it would be but I am excited for this new start.
It's a big change being with Elder Meherg from what it was like with Elder Godwin. Elder Godwin reminded me not to compare the styles and never say anything to the effect of "well Elder Godwin and I did things this way." I thought it was obvious advice but it's been interesting learning how natural/tempting it is to say something like that. Changes are changes, for better, worse, or just simply different. It's taken some time to adjust to, in fact I am still am. I was thinking just before transfers about how comfortable I was feeling about things. The first transfer is crazy but then you learn. At first everything was out of my comfort zone but then as I learned and developed my comfort zone expanded. It's truly been a blessing to remember to turn to the Lord for everything. My prayers have again become more fervent and sincere. I do learn so many new things here but much of what I am being taught is remembrance. Repetition sometimes seems unneeded, merely redundant but it's essential for lasting growth. I am excited for this next transfer, to learn new things from Elder Meherg and have a fresh start. Elder Meherg is faithful and hardworking so I'm excited to see what we accomplish this transfer!
One of the greatest blessings about this last transfer is that I stayed in Wroclaw. Most people moved but I was lucky. The branch here continues to be a strength and blessing in my life. One of the best things about a new companion is a fresh start without specific expectations. We can always change and improve but with a new group of missionaries I feel like I can change things a little easier. For example at church yesterday, I talked to many more of the members and had deeper conversations. Before I was timid, unconfident, and relied on Elder Godwin. Now I feel more capable and want to get to know the members here better. With Elder Meherg there isn't that pattern of Elder Godwin taking the lead and me standing in the background. Yesterday I was more outgoing and engaged with the members, I think it also helps that I'm one of the "old missionaries" in Wroclaw, meaning the other missionaries (except for Sister Bown) are all new to the area. I love the members here. I want to serve and help them more but it's one of those situations where they are giving me so much more.
We met Mz on the street Saturday and invited him to church, he came yesterday. We then met with him and taught him a first. The lesson had a lot of tangents and didn't seem to have a great impact but we are meeting again. We will see. This week we have a lot of set up lessons, more than ever before - half are from the sisters (they are terrific!) - I am excited to meet and discuss the gospel with them.
Contacting has been a little tricky recently, I just have felt pretty discourage, especially in the group contactings (ex. whiteboards). This past week we had a whiteboard and I had a really successful time. I didn't teach or talk to more people than usual but my attitude was different. I talked to one bald guy with super sweet sunglasses, who said just two weeks before he had started looking into religion. He said he knew it was a priority but hadn't devoted much time to God. It was a testimony to me that Heavenly Father is preparing people to be ready to cross paths with us. They won't always become new investigators but I know that as we are there fulfilling our role of inviting others unto Christ we will find people who are ready to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Remember to not do things on your own! Rely on others and especially the Savior. I love you all.
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