Trying to make things work with my companion is hard, we have our ups and downs, (mostly downs). During weekly planning we had our companionship inventory, and discussed some issues that we needed to work on. One of the many issues I have with him is communication. He automatically assumes that I know what he's doing and why he's doing it. It's like he doesn't grasp the concept that I'm still green and don't know all he knows. For example, we would go visit some people at their homes, I don't know who we are visiting because he doesn't tell me. Sure we have our plan for that day, but very seldom does he stick to the plan. So I brought that issue up and he's done better at it. (He still needs to work on it) but he's doing better.
An issue he had with me was that It's hard to hold a conversation with me. He pictured it as me just not wanting to talk to him. I just don't know what to say. But I've been trying to do better at talking with him. So far it's been going alright. We still don't like each other...but it could be worse. *knock on wood*
During the past few weeks we have been trying to find people. We have no one to teach. No appointments, nothing. So we just try to go visit people who have been taught by missionaries before (former investigators) or people who have been contacted by missionaries but haven't been taught yet (potential investigators) so far no luck. I think it has to with how we're not working as hard as our mission president would like us to. I know that for a fact that I'm not working hard at all, but it's not totally my fault. I'm the Junior companion, the greenie. Having a companion that you have to stay with is very restrictive. Especially when that companion isn't very motivated to go out and work until he drops. I just do what my companion does. There is one day that I recall working our butts off. At the end of the day I felt fulfilled. I was exhausted, but I felt good because I know I worked hard. I wish my companion would do that every day. I know that both of us would be happier. He's just too stubborn and prideful to admit it.
This has been a growing experience for me though. So it's not all bad. This rough experience I've been having is teaching me patience and humility. I admit I have been prideful. But it's a work in progress. So don't worry. I still have yet to figure out the reason why God gave me Elder Bacon as a companion. But as I ponder about it more and more, I'm thinking patience and humility have to do with it. I just hope if there's a lesson for me to learn, I learn it fast.
Church is great, every time I go to church I feel like I'm home. Church no matter where you go is the same. That's something that I enjoy. The members here are AWESOME. They're so involved with everything, they're examples of how members should be like I think. They magnify their callings. They go far beyond that extra mile, and they're blessed for it. There's so much love in this ward. Everyone cares about each other. Just like the Londonderry ward and my new singles ward back home.
We get a lot of dinner appointments, I think there's only three nights we've not had an appointment as long as I've been out. The members are so willing to feed us. It's nice to get to know them in another setting aside from church.
As far as teaching people, we are teaching one Former Investigator. Her name is Rebecca. We've taught her two lessons so far. When we taught her last the very first question she asked was "what do I need to do to get baptized?" Cool huh!? I'd say haha. So far that's the only person I've had real experience teaching from the beginning. She'll get baptized :) There's another kid that is going to get baptized soon too. His name is Logan. I think I told you about him when I called you on mother's day. He's the kid whose father is a convert, and whose been going to church and all the activities for about two years. We just need to set up an interview with him and he's ready to get baptized. Those are the only two people we're really teaching. We haven't found anyone yet.
Thank everyone for being so supportive! I love you all very much. I pray for you every single morning and night. Yes, my friends too. I will never forget the influence all of you had on me. Every one back home is the reason why I'm out here. I've felt God's love through all of you. I want other people to feel that love. I'm out hear to tell them that. Again I love you all! Until next week!
With much love from the West Coast,
