Week 6 done and I will be boarding a plane to Guatemala in less than 12 hours. I have a lot of thoughts going through my head right now and the past couple of days. There is a lot to take in and I know I am about to have a large shift in my life. A month and a half into the mission and I have already learned so much. I don't have a ton to recap on, but my thoughts could turn into a rant.
Language assessment
… Forgot I wasn't playing golf, and we will leave it at that. Test is fraudulent though. Ik my chat GPT Ai would've graded my speaking better.
Done with classes
We finished all of our classes at the CCM on Saturday and have had a lot of free time since. I'm so grateful for my teachers and the role they played in my MTC experience. I told Hermano Juarez I have a cousin he can marry to make it to the states. So, cousins let's lock in please. Honestly gonna miss him a lot. He was such a goat and truly strengthened my testimony so much.
Estoy gordo…
Alright look Guate is gonna get me in shape quick, but I fear for myself a little. I was hooping with some Latinos for two hours yesterday and at points was not sure I would make it off the court. There were all disappointed in me that I couldn't dunk either. 6 foot for nothing ig. This was at the beginning, and I realized maybe I can't dunk because I'm fat cause I also couldn't breathe. Was basically panting for air.
Final house devotional
So last night all 28 of us were together in the house so we had a last testimony where everyone could share. This was so powerful, and it was honestly incredible hearing everyone give their thoughts. I've been so lucky to have such a good house and people who are just infinitely times smarter than me in the gospel to teach me. The people of Honduras, South Carolina, Ohio, Dominican Republic, Colorado, Florida, and Guatemala/Belize are getting good ones. I know these other Elders will bless all the people in their mission dramatically.
CCM Takeaways
I had a lot of things I learned about myself and missionary work already. Most important of all just be positive. Nobody wants to be companions or in the district with the one who never has anything good to say and the same is with life. Attitude is essential in all the things we do. Next, put God first and the other things will follow. I noticed quickly that on the days I worked harder in my scriptures and not language the language followed and so did my attitude. Next, and most important listen to what other peoples' insights are. People are given to us along the way, and I know this is for a reason.
Spiritual Thoughts
Ok so I've had a lot a lot of time to think about so many different things this week. And as I've been able to meet so many people and hear so many different stories, things I've always thought have started to hit me even more. I heard a quote that really made me start thinking.
“Some of us have received warmth from a fire we didn't build or drink water from a well that was not ours.” For about all my life, I have questioned how I've been lucky enough to be put into the situation I am. I did nothing to be where I am but blessed beyond measure to obtain the life I have lived. I have had just about the easiest life you could have. I have been blessed with opportunity on opportunity for no reason. I have taken warmth from a fire that was ultimately not mine and drank the water from a well I didn't build. At times I fear I won't have an ability to connect with the people I will be around because at the end of the day I really don't know how it feels.
When I think about this, there are always two videos that come to me. The first is the video of the two boys and the man working on the farm from Gordon B Hinckley. The two boys are walking down a road and see a beat-up jacket and worn-out shoes. The younger boy gives the idea of hiding the shoes but the older quickly responds and tells how due to the quality of what the man has, it is better to leave just two silver dollar coins. The man comes back, and his joy overfills him. The second is titled, "Your Potential, Your Privileges," by Elder Uchtdorf. It talks about a man whose life-long dream was to take a trip along the Mediterranean Sea on a cruise boat. He saves the money, and he makes it happen. Due to his financial situation, he brought beans, crackers, and lemonade powder and did not attend the many amenities the cruise gave the attendants. Although he yearned for the ability to participate in the activities of the others, he did not and remained in his cabin. On the last night, he would later find that these gifts were ones that came with the ticket and were not a subsequent addition but one that came the moment the ticket was bought.
As I continue to reflect, I try and connect these topics to the first. Try and follow along but I'm essentially sitting here ranting, so bear with me. With all I've been given, I realize that I may be like the younger boy in the video who at first does not think to give the two silver coins or in my case my two years. I at times instead think that the 2 are too big and such a sacrifice and instead feel I would rather cater to personal needs. But in reality, it is such a small thing I'm giving in return. A small gift that will bring exponential returns.
Additionally, the man on the boat does not live up to his potential and stays in his cabin. I relate my life to the boat with the amenities. And now I am getting on a new boat. The most important boat. But in my case, the amenities aren't worldly things but the greatest gift; the ability to share the gospel. Like that man I have the ability to stay in my cabin and not utilize this gift. To not make the most of my time and reach my potential. But I know that the least I can do to only somewhat justify what I've been given is to give all I can to the people I am called to serve and the people around. To change the eternal path for the people I see every day for the next two years. And I know I have hard days coming, but I know I have no reason to stress because through God all things are possible. And I know there is a great work ahead.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
If you read all of that, I love you
Elder Wilde
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