More Assorted Q&A

What is the best way to avoid temptation?

The best way to avoid temptation is be firmly set in your priorities. If having the Spirit as your constant companion (or being temple worthy, or preparing for a mission or whatever it is) is your top priority, then a lot of things fall away. You'll see the temptations for what they are: a distraction, a counterfeit, and ultimately not worth it. For example, if you know that you want to have the Spirit as your constant companion, it wouldn't be appealing to you to go to parties with degrading music and dancing. It won't be a temptation if you know what you really want.

And I can't emphasize enough (nor can the General Authorities) the importance of daily scripture study and prayer. It's simple, but it helps a lot. It really helps to maintain and remember your eternal priorities. Speaking of study, I recommend Moses 1. The way Moses was able to resist the Devil himself was by simply recognizing that he has no glory and that God has infinite glory and so much more to offer than Satan.

Why are guitar strings so close together?

Guitar strings are close together, but it could be worse. Have you ever tried playing a violin? Now those strings are close together. It's like violins are meant for tiny hands... Anywho, guitar strings are close together so you can play chords easily (can't do that so well on a bass), and so you can play faster and play really fast guitar solos (also really impossible on a bass unless you're Geddy Lee or John Myung or someone like that). Speaking of which, I've decided that I definitely need to practice electric guitar more once I get back. So don't adopt my guitar. :)

 

What can new missionaries do to make things easier for their trainer?
 - Call your trainer out when she's not doing her best/there's something to improve. Of course, be nice about it, but that's what companions are for, among many other things. She may be senior companion, but you two are equals with equal responsibility. 

- And volunteer to make phone calls to investigators/members from day one. It really helps her since there's so many people to call and so little time. It will also help you get acclimated to the work.

  - Never hesitate to open your mouth. Any urge to do/say a good thing and is a prompting from the Spirit, even if it doesn't necessarily make sense to you or your companion. You may not be a pro at teaching lessons yet, but your companion will be able to roll with whatever you say/testify.

 - Realize that you have just as much of a right to revelation for your investigators as your companion. You know more than you realize.    

Any personal items that you're really glad you brought to Texas? Any suggestions?
 - I LOVE my raincoat. I can't find the specific name/model of my jacket. I just know it's North Face. It's perfectly waterproof and if it works for Texas downpours, it will work for anything.
 - I love my bike. It's really worth it to find a bike that's skirt friendly. 

 - I'm glad I got expensive shoes. One pair of shoes was $100 as opposed to my other 2 pairs that were about $60. But the pricier shoes are very comfy and showing no signs of wear/damage. The $60 shoes' soles are wearing thin. So don't be hesitant to spend on shoes. Your feet will thank you and you won't have to buy too many replacements.

 

What random things have changed about you?

1. I can't stand dogs. When we were knocking on someone's door out in the middle of nowhere, we encountered a SCREAMING chihuahua. It nearly burst my eardrums and gave me a headache and I was very close to kicking it 30 feet (I would have if I didn't fear offending the rat's owner). One side effect of the mission: I can't stand dogs (but Zoey is ok), especially the little ones. I've come to the conclusion that in order to be a true Texan, you need to have at least 2 dogs...

 

2. I'm eating a lot healthier. I now really like cottage cheese, greek yogurt, and spinach and I eat more fruits and vegetables than ever. Also better portion control.

 

3. I laugh in frustrating situations.

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Q&A and assorted insights

Question from parents: Soooo - just curious - you seem so happy/positive/can-do.  Would you tell us if you were feeling down or having a hard time? There have been plenty of hard times, but I always recover and by the time I sit down to write the email, it's all under the bridge and not worth retelling. :) I just save it for the journal. And I really do almost forget the hard times, because the triumphs and the good times are worth anything to get there. In all honesty, all the hard times are worth seeing an investigator progress, or to see someone get baptized, or come back to church, or whatever it is. Just like after climbing a mountain, I'd just take in the view, not complain about the sore muscles. I think it's also another blessing of the mission. I've been a lot more positive. Even with flat out rejection or big setbacks, I'm more prone to laugh, not be bitter.

Something about dealing with stress: There's something President Ames said in the sister trainer leader meeting I went to. He talked about how the elders/men are more likely to just roll with it and not stress so much, and sisters/women are more acutely aware of the struggles and more likely to stress. As for me on the mission, I've been more like an elder (me and my male brain...). I see my companions stress out and worry about so many things, but I just roll with it and just keep doing my best, and trust God will make things work out. I've been seeing that in my service as the branch pianist (I'm the only one that can play the piano well enough to accompany people). With sight reading, the trick is to just keep going at the same tempo, regardless of how many mistakes you make. And it gets better over time. Don't stress the mistakes and just keep going. :) 

Spiritual experience of the week:

We've been teaching an investigator named Yolanda. She's progressing so much, and has been to church a couple times, and wants to be baptized! We taught her the law of chastity and she committed to keep it by getting married to the member boyfriend she's living with as soon as possible. She said she might be able to get her marriage license this friday. We prayed so much that that would be able to happen. Literally every prayer we said, for the next few days, we prayed that she'd be able to get her marriage license that friday. Friday comes around, but it didn't work out. We then taught her the Word of Wisdom. When we committed her to live the Word of Wisdom, she flat out said no. She really likes her coffee. We asked her to prayed about it and she said she would. We visited her the next day, and she told us that she hadn't had a single coffee, or tea, not even caffeinated soda (we never told her she couldn't have soda...)! She told us she prayed about it with her husband/boyfriend and she knows it's right. Our jaws dropped right there... Nothing short of a miracle! I know that God answers our prayers, even if it's not as expected.

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