Hello Family and Friends!!
Things have been silent on my end in the blogosphere lately, not for a lack of wanting my loved ones to know how I am, more so because things are super busy, even on P-Days!
These last few weeks have been awesome! This is the beginning of the third transfer now for me in the field, I am still in Clarksville, Indiana and I couldn't be any happier. This area has not always been the most golden area in the world, but Elder Baker and I are slowly starting to change that, or at least we hope! There really isn't like putting in a hard day's work for the Lord and leaving it all out on the table. Some days are more effective than others, but I am learning how to give it all I got. These past weeks have been pretty awesome though!
We are to the point where people are coming to church now, they feel more comfortable with the members and are beginning to learn more dynamically. It is so fun to watch people learn more about the Gospel and to have members get excited about the work as well.
Something that I have learned more about lately is really just desiring the salvation of others, I say that kind of flippantly, but it really is something so pivotal and something that truly can be worked on. To have the love that Christ and Heavenly Father have for these people isn't always the easiest thing, but the more I am able to really see them as my brothers and sisters, the more I want to share the gospel with them and do it naturally and lovingly.
We have continued working through the random trials here and there. Every day in a mission is a bit of a microcosm of all the things we learn while we are out here. Some days start off awesome and end off on a rough note, but more often than not a day will start out really rough and then it will all come together in the end. One of, if not the biggest thing I have learned while I have been out here, is that attitude affects everything - it seriously makes the difference. There is usually at least one thing that makes the day feel productive and worth it for me, some days way more than that, but the thing is that sometimes that doesn't happen until right before we head in for the night. So, I am positive that at the end of every day I will be happy and know we are working hard, and I will be that much more grateful, every day - without a doubt that will come. But, when no one is listening or all of our appointments fall through, it is really hard to keep a good attitude. It is an interesting conundrum, when all is said and done - we have learned a lot and helped others, we might not see all the fruits of our labors, but at the end of the day, it will be worth it. So, it really gets down to just forcing myself have a good attitude some days and waiting it out until that one ray of hope shines through.
We currently have a few different people who are progressing rather well with everything, one lady in particular is from Cuba and was never allowed to go to church while she lived there, so since she has been here she has been looking for a church. She has come to church three weeks in a row and already has such an amazing comprehension of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is only a matter of time until she makes her decision to be baptized, and i cannot wait for that day. A lady in her late sixties and it has taken this long for her to really feel as if she is living up to her potential as a follower of Christ and a true believer, I just know that she is so much happier now and it makes me happy to know that.
The weather really has been great lately, it warmed up for a little bit, but we have been so lucky. We are in a car while traveling, but tracting and then trying to talk to people at parks and whatnot only becomes more bothersome when it is icky humid. So, I am way grateful for that.
Elder Baker and I are doing great and working hard. We are extremely blessed to be here in Clarksville together and I know that great things await!
Also, today is my 5 month mark! CRAZY! It seriously feels like I just got here, time flies.
I love you and and I thank you all so much for your support and your prayers! Do work and love the Lord!
Elder St. Martin
Things have been silent on my end in the blogosphere lately, not for a lack of wanting my loved ones to know how I am, more so because things are super busy, even on P-Days!
These last few weeks have been awesome! This is the beginning of the third transfer now for me in the field, I am still in Clarksville, Indiana and I couldn't be any happier. This area has not always been the most golden area in the world, but Elder Baker and I are slowly starting to change that, or at least we hope! There really isn't like putting in a hard day's work for the Lord and leaving it all out on the table. Some days are more effective than others, but I am learning how to give it all I got. These past weeks have been pretty awesome though!
We are to the point where people are coming to church now, they feel more comfortable with the members and are beginning to learn more dynamically. It is so fun to watch people learn more about the Gospel and to have members get excited about the work as well.
Something that I have learned more about lately is really just desiring the salvation of others, I say that kind of flippantly, but it really is something so pivotal and something that truly can be worked on. To have the love that Christ and Heavenly Father have for these people isn't always the easiest thing, but the more I am able to really see them as my brothers and sisters, the more I want to share the gospel with them and do it naturally and lovingly.
We have continued working through the random trials here and there. Every day in a mission is a bit of a microcosm of all the things we learn while we are out here. Some days start off awesome and end off on a rough note, but more often than not a day will start out really rough and then it will all come together in the end. One of, if not the biggest thing I have learned while I have been out here, is that attitude affects everything - it seriously makes the difference. There is usually at least one thing that makes the day feel productive and worth it for me, some days way more than that, but the thing is that sometimes that doesn't happen until right before we head in for the night. So, I am positive that at the end of every day I will be happy and know we are working hard, and I will be that much more grateful, every day - without a doubt that will come. But, when no one is listening or all of our appointments fall through, it is really hard to keep a good attitude. It is an interesting conundrum, when all is said and done - we have learned a lot and helped others, we might not see all the fruits of our labors, but at the end of the day, it will be worth it. So, it really gets down to just forcing myself have a good attitude some days and waiting it out until that one ray of hope shines through.
We currently have a few different people who are progressing rather well with everything, one lady in particular is from Cuba and was never allowed to go to church while she lived there, so since she has been here she has been looking for a church. She has come to church three weeks in a row and already has such an amazing comprehension of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is only a matter of time until she makes her decision to be baptized, and i cannot wait for that day. A lady in her late sixties and it has taken this long for her to really feel as if she is living up to her potential as a follower of Christ and a true believer, I just know that she is so much happier now and it makes me happy to know that.
The weather really has been great lately, it warmed up for a little bit, but we have been so lucky. We are in a car while traveling, but tracting and then trying to talk to people at parks and whatnot only becomes more bothersome when it is icky humid. So, I am way grateful for that.
Elder Baker and I are doing great and working hard. We are extremely blessed to be here in Clarksville together and I know that great things await!
Also, today is my 5 month mark! CRAZY! It seriously feels like I just got here, time flies.
I love you and and I thank you all so much for your support and your prayers! Do work and love the Lord!
Elder St. Martin
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