We had zone conference, about half the mission again with both Warsaw zones (including missionaries from: Warsaw, Łódź, Kielce, and Lublin). It was fun, exciting to see everyone and filled with the Spirit and revelation. I have noticed just how often I am feeling the Spirit. Having the constant companionship of the Spirit leads and guides me in light and with that there are so many burnings in my heart indicating to me the truthfulness of things around me which bring me peace, comfort, and self-empowering hope. The focus of this zone conference was planning and goal setting. As soon as the topic was announced I knew it was a conference for me. President Edgren shared a story about a farmer who spent all day trying to accomplish errands but whenever he found one and tried to accomplish it another one would arise and by the end he had achieved nothing that day. It describes me a lot of the time, the overwhelming stress I have had enough of. This story illustrates how silly it is to take everything on but it is so hard for me to focus on one thing when there is so much to do. I have been receiving council from scriptures, church leaders (from their talks, for example when President Uchtdorf came to visit), and local mission leaders to focus on improving a little bit every day. That's the real goal, to be consistently, gradually improving. President taught well the balance we need. He also talked about the worthlessness of good intentions when nothing is done with them. It reminded me of an interview I had with Ms. Robinson for CAS. CAS (creativity, action, service) is a requirement of the IB diploma te help create well rounded graduates who contribute to society. Ms. Robinson was the only teacher I had all five years during my time at La Chataigneraie - I learned a lot from her example and actions. During this specific interview she caught me off guard with the question "after pondering about your experiences from doing all of these activities what is your biggest strength and weakness?" I took a moment and then answered that i felt like I had pure intentions, I wanted to help others and do the right thing but my execution was weak because I often became too busy and overwhelmed so I didn't accomplish what I wanted to and missed reaching my potential. This conference addressed this same concern. My mission is giving two things I lacked greatly before 1. hope 2. confidence. In order to reach our potential and accomplish what we can we need to believe in ourselves and as I read this morning, that is most easily done when we believe in God. When we believe in others we trust them and so it is when we believe in Christ, not merely that we know He is there rather we are sure that as we look to Him He will lift us up and help us improve. I know that we can become those better people we envision but it's not all at once, it's not one big project, it's not even two years in the mission field but it's all about the daily dose of hope, diligence, and love.
I am also constantly being reminded of the little acts of love and service I need to be doing all the time - this will require no check list but an adapted mentality. Something else I want to work on.
I am currently enjoying the "złota polska jesiań" (the golden Polish autumn) it is starting and I will be sure to grab some pictures soon. The weather got warmer again for a while but I think fall is officially on the way and I love it. Seasons changing is always something I enjoy.
Despite the seeming lack of time (we are already more than half way done with this transfer) this week I felt great. I felt like we got a lot done and I felt fulfilled. We had a great whiteboard with our sisters and then a big family history themed whiteboard yesterday with a bunch of the missionaries in Warsaw I. It was funny having crowds come up to us for a change with a topic that intrigued so many. I was in my element talking to people about the blessings of families and our ancestors - it was a big personal success. I also met a couple from Flanders and a man from France and so was able to muster up the few words I can remember in Dutch and French to make some connections. It was a lot of fun.
Elder Garrett and I were able to have two incredible lessons this week. Bogumił is a husband and father (to a daughter currently doing the IB program). He is Polish, studies languages (he's currently studying Hebrew and has a ton of cool insight thanks to his studies), and met missionaries in Wrocław where Elder Garrett and I both started. He's met with missionaries in the past and Elder Garrett and I set up last week. He is wise but humble and open. It is a miracle that he understands some basic truths about the gospel. Especially, when people are well-educated they have a hard time understanding how simple the gospel message is. He said that despite the details and intricacy of the God's plan thanks to His omniscience our part in the plan in simple. For all of the complication we make for ourselves the gospel is simple. Bogumił is an incredible guy and Elder Garrett and I are excited to meet and work with him.
Jarek texted us the week before last. We met him on the street at the beginning of the transfer and exchanged numbers but hasn't had any contact since then. He then texted us wanting to meet. So we did. It was incredible and showed me how Heavenly Father is preparing people. Jarek wants to return to Christ and hopes for a united family. It was a perfect first lesson. A lot to take in but he understood the depth and significance of what we taught and humbly accepted to seek for himself the truth of it.
We are currently very lucky for the people around us.
Happy ventures this week,
Starszy Kimball
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