The Never Ending Story: Part X

I have to admit that writing about my week – every week – seems a little redundant but I love that no two weeks are the same! Some days I don’t even know what to do with myself and Sunday was definitely one of those. As District Leader I had to meet with the companionships I’m over & get update on their week. It sounds fairly simple but Sisters end up being late, Sisters need to tell me their life stories, appointments go long etc. and the question of the week is: Why, of all missions, does Temple Square not have a mental health counselor?

The district I’m over is fantastic. We have the one trio of the mission and they are doing so well! It’s tricky being in a trio here on the Square – you can easily be overbearing. Each of them are so sweet though, they’re succeeding so far!
Sister Moisio (Finland) spoke in church & shared with us how the process of refining silver is a lot like Heavenly Father working with us. The silver has to be held in the middle, the hottest part of the fire – it’s done when the silversmith can see his reflection in the metal. See? It’s just like us. God allows us to be tested & tried so that we can become more like Him. I love that analogy.

Leadership Training was this week & it was amazing! I learned some wonderful lessons that will come in very handy over the next few weeks. The most important one though, was a role play we did on “being ourselves”. We took of our name tags *gasp* I know, it’s okay – we lived. We sat on the floor with another Sister, went by our first names & talked about our missions as though we were best friends from back home. Noemi asked me why I decided to make the sacrifice of going on a mission. Typically I tell people about how blessed my life is etc. but I answered her a little differently. “My family is really happy. My house is clean, bright, wholesome & full of love & laughter. I know that it’s that way because of the gospel it’s based around. I loved growing up in my house and I figured, if I could bring that to someone else – that would be the best thing I could share. That’s why I went on a mission.” Yay for self-discovery.

We had an amazing comp inventory on Wednesday. There’s nothing like getting everything out in the open. One thing that I have found very helpful in companionships is clearly stating our objective, our personal goals. I want to be the best, literally. I told Sis D that I’m willing to push myself in every way – if that makes me improve. I have so much love for this work & I want to give it my ALL until the end. I’m RUNNING this marathon – no way am I stopping for any breaks. Even though we may not be on the same page – at least we know where the other is coming from :)

That morning we had a first transfer with us, Sis Au-Yeung from Hong Kong! We met Pat from England right as we left the SVC. She had met with Elders before who had told her all about SLC & was very excited to finally be here. We very naturally offered to take her around & tell her the whole story. We did so, with a greater amount of comp unity that we’d had all week (the power of CompInventory!). Downstairs in the NVC we watched a clip from President Monson on Making Choices. She loved it & said he was right on. Her only hold up is that she believes she doesn’t have faith – not even the mustard seed! Together, we invited her to meet with those missionaries again & they would help her find that mustard seed. She accepted. We are thrilled.

I got us two new investigators this week! They’re amazing and I can’t wait to start teaching them. Since I gave most of our investigators to Sister Nelson, I actually get time to call people and invite! I LOVE IT! I’m teaching the referral that Grandpa Despain gave me :) He is my favorite! The other one is actually from a Facebook contact! Isn’t it amazing how helpful technology can be?
My first District Meeting went very well! I made an agenda ahead of time to clear it with the Zone Leaders & they loved it! We focused on re-phrasing & inviting WITH your companion. Everyone said it went really well! I love the Sisters I’m over, they are fantastic. I gave them little cards with the Elder Cowboy quote on it: Sister _____, you are beautiful! You are an amazing missionary! And TODAY is going to be a fantastic day!”

All is well :)

District Leader Despain