Feb 22nd Weak 20 - Perspective in Serenity Layton Utah Week 10 

皆さん! How has everyone been? Do anything exciting? Hopefully staying dry and warm! I'd love to say we did some grand and exciting thing this week, but unfortunately that isn't the case. Every day pretty much consisted of us finishing up the goal the stake set out for us - meet with every member of the stake - or at least, every one that will accept it. Our MCM's (missionary Correlation meeting members) have been working really hard with us to make sure we are getting in contact with as many people as possible before we try other avenues, so it's been a lot of fun! ... Well, as fun as calling people for four hours every day is. But it's okay! We're getting a lot of responses, so it's been good. But even if people are responding, most people have set up appointments for the following week (this week) so even though this week is going to be hectic, it meant we didn't have too many lessons last week... Just Monday and Tuesday. But we were booked from 1:00 to 8:30, so that was nice. The end of the week ended up being us doing a lot of work with our sheets. Organization is what wins the day! They were really good lessons, though! We're getting to know quite a few people in the ward, even more so than before, so that's been a huge blessing! Oh, also! One of our favorite families we've been able to teach is truly growing in faith. Really, truly, learning to love the Gospel again. It's been absolutely amazing to see - and seeing the light start to return to their eyes has been magical! And yet, it's the most bizarre series of events. We've been trying to meet with them for the past few days, but starting on Friday, they've had a ton of things going on. It started with work swamping the both of them, so the weekdays were off. Saturday they had a family emergency, and Sunday one of them got rushed to the hospital because of a kidney stone... I don't know whether they're avoiding us or if Satan has just thrown as much as he can at them to stop them from progressing. We just don't know. All we can do is pray until we meet with them again... In other news, today we were finally allowed to do outside activities as a district! So that was really fun! We played kickball! \o/ We also had ward conference for Orchards Ward yesterday! That was a lot of fun! One of my favorite quotes was from President Barfuss - "What we do here lingers on in the heart... for years and generations and a life to come." I think it's a poignant reminder that life is not meant for just ourselves. President Nelson mentioned a word, myopic, that I think is a little bit related - a word that means shortsightedness, a lack of perspective or scope, and has recently been added to my list of words to use in poems, alongside petrichor and aspersion. But in all seriousness, I've seen so much already on my mission that shows me that giving with all of our hearts, especially when we are struggling, that makes all the difference. And we've seen not only in our lives, but in the lives of others, that when we choose to reach out in charity - the pure love of Christ - when we are feeling the worst, that is when it truly becomes consecrated, and means the most. And it feels as if the Lord Himself is strengthening us, and helping us as we help others. We've had times where people have looked at us after we've told them what scripture to read, and they'll either say, "I was just reading out of this, and I wanted to know a little more," or "This is exactly the message that we needed. How did you know?" The truth is that we didn't know. But if we lead with our heart, and listen to the Spirit, willing to act on its promptings and building trust with Him, the Lord will provide us with the direction, through the Spirit, on what we should share and how we can help. But by helping others and looking beyond ourselves - truly wanting to serve because we truly love them and want them to become better - that makes all the difference. So go do a good deed today! Think of someone you'd like to help, or pray to identify one person you can uplift. I promise if you do so with real intent, trusting the Lord will answer your prayers and guide and direct you to that person, you will be able to be a blessing in their lives. We know that's true - and that is our testimony! Take care everyone! You all are amazing! Cheers, Elder Decker デッカー長老