That's right, everyone, we are
officially a ward! This is a big step for us, since we have been a branch
(a smaller congregation) for about 10 years. We are the first Chinese-speaking
ward in New York, which is pretty awesome, and we are looking forward to lots
of growth in the future. In Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, President
Buckner (our stake president) challenged us to grow a stake from our new ward.
Can you imagine that? A Chinese-speaking stake in New York City!
That would be awesome. We have a lot of work to do before that can
happen, but we are ever hopeful.
Other fun things that happened this
week: Brother Wang was confirmed a member of the Church on Sunday, we had
a zone conference this week, and we got to hear the Christmas Devotional on
Sunday as well, which was excellent. If you haven't had the opportunity
to hear it, I would highly recommend going to www.lds.org and checking it
out.
Zone conference yesterday was
awesome. Elder Paul V. Johnson came to speak to us, and gave some great
counsel on how to be more effective missionaries. One of my favorite
things he talked about was becoming a low-maintenance, high-yield missionary.
As we learn to solve problems on our own and receive personal revelation
from the Lord, we become more effective missionaries with stronger testimonies,
who see more success as we work. This applies to any member of the Church
(or any person, really); there is nothing a church leader likes more than to
see someone actively working to strengthen themselves and magnify their
calling. As we do so we also have opportunities to serve and build up the
people around us as well.
Something I have been thinking a lot
about recently, what with the surge in new missionaries we are anticipating (we
will have increased our numbers from 150 missionaries to 250 missionaries in
the field by the end of my mission) is that I will probably be training someone
in the near future. Training a new missionary is a bit of a daunting task, in
my opinion. As a trainer, you are the first companion a missionary has in
the field. You are the one they look up to to know how on earth they are
supposed to do missionary work in this new, not-MTC environment.
Yesterday President Morgan addressed us on this subject. He told us
that it is likely that we will all train, possibly multiple times, on our
missions. He asked us to prepare ourselves for this work, to fill our proverbial
lamps (see Matthew 25) now with charity, love, service, and obedience. I
want to be the trainer a parent prays their child will have. After
yesterday I am more excited to have the opportunity to train, and I hope that I
am preparing well to do so.
I hope you all are having fun
gearing up for the Christmas season. Good luck to all you university
students on your upcoming finals. Remember that even though school is
hard, the Gospel is still true. :)
Love you!
Sister Beer
No comments:
Post a Comment