3.21.11
Hey Y'all,
Things have been crazy this week. I've hit the ground running with my new assignment as District Leader this week. I gave a training on Thursday on the importance of commitments, had a specialized training meeting Friday, and got to stay up late Sunday night relaying numbers(yay...). I'm enjoying the opportunity I have to interact with the missionaries in my district and zone on a daily basis. I've got a few exchanges set up for this week and things will be just as busy from here on out because I've made it my goal to go on an exchange with every Elder in my district, every transfer. I'm really looking forward to interacting with so many missionaries all the time. I can tell this assignment is going to be a lot of fun.
Elder Layton and I set a baptismal date Sunday with a young man named Miles. Miles was one of those investigators of whom I spoke last week when I said this would be a make-or-break week for some. His parents are both less active members and he began showing interest when the missionaries initiated efforts to reactivate his parents some while back. His parents still are not active, but Miles has a great desire to be baptized. Our main goal is to make sure he has support so he can remain active after baptism and receive the full blessings of membership in the Church.
Aside from Miles, this week didn't show a whole lot of immediate success or results from our efforts. We had an alarming streak of dropped teaching appointments and finding his week was... humbling. I've caught myself a time or two grumbling about the area, but Elder Layton and I do well to keep tracting fun. We had several doors this week that were less than inviting. One street in particular gave me nearly all I could handle. Door after door seemed to have someone waiting behind it ready to verbally attack us in one way or another. At the end of the street I nearly lost my temper with a... fine gentleman, and had to end the conversation abruptly by walking away as he was in mid-sentence. The experiences on that street bothered me all day because I wasn't sure if I had handled the situations as best I could. My companion assures me that I was well composed and considerate at all times, but I have been struggling to keep my pride in check and act as a true representative of Jesus Christ should at all times. I have found abundant solace in the Savior's loving words to His apostles as they experienced to a much greater degree the opposition I have tasted. I find myself identifying with those great men and striving as they did to emulate the example of the Master. At the root of discipleship is discipline, and I am being taught lessons in it daily as I seek the clarity of thought that allows the reception of the guidance and utterance from the Holy Ghost.
I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn of the Savior by representing Him each day. I know He lives and He loves each of us with a love that cannot be put into words. He paid the price for our sins, shouldered the burden of our grief, and gave the ultimate gift of His life that we might live with Him in our Father's kingdom again someday. His love is manifest throughout all of creation and it is His desire to shower us in blessings if we will but obey Him and allow Him to do so. It is my desire that every one of Heavenly Father's children feel of that perfect love and learn of His beautiful plan. May we each live our lives in a way that others will want to know the one true God whom we serve and the Savior whom He has sent.
I love you all very much and I'm so thankful for your love and support. I continue to pray for your success and well-being. I can truly feel the strength of your prayers in my behalf and in that of my investigators. I can't wait to hear more from each of you in the near future! Until next time; be good, stay safe, and keep the faith!
Love,
Elder Michael P. Lyman
Texas Dallas Mission
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