Due to conference this weekend, much of last week was spent preparing for it and making plans to watch it with people that we are currently teaching. Unfortunately, a lot of plans fell through last minute that resulted in us watching it with members in our ward.
Big tender mercy this week: the clouds are rolling in and I don't think they're going anywhere- but it's okay, because we have a car now! It seriously came at the perfect time, and we are seriously so blessed. It is cloudy about every day now (I'll need to start taking those Vitamin D supplements soon!) and it's been raining the past few days. Goodbye sunshine...see you in April!
This past week I've learned a lot about patience. Patience with others, patience with the lessons, patience with finding, patience with God, and patience with myself.
We are currently teaching a middle-aged girl who has a mental disability that causes her to have the learning ability and attention span of about an 8-year-old. It's hard working with her sometimes because she often doesn't keep her commitments.
We were supposed to watch a session of conference with her, but she backed out on the last second. So on Sunday, we decided to just drive over to her house and watch the morning session with her (it was a huge tender mercy that she even had the channel that general conference was on!). And she really liked it! She would pause it every now and then to ask questions and even took notes like Sister Schmoekel and I!
That day I learned that I need to be patient with those that we teach. Not everyone will learn and soak up the gospel immediately- they are all at a different pace! It's also so important to recognize the progress people are making. It can be easy to see what they need to learn, what they need to do that they aren't or how they can improve. But it's like looking at the positives in life- you have to look at them, or else the little negatives will tear you down. It's so important to look at your progress. If you just look at all the things you have to do or all the things you want to be better at, it will soon look unattainable. Look at how far you have come- reflect on the person you used to be and how you're different. I know that as I've done that, it's given me the confidence that I can continue to improve and be the missionary that God needs me to be.
I am so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for all that I am learning. Sister Schmoekel and I are working really hard here in Lebanon to find the meek and prepared. It's hard and stressful, but so rewarding and fulfilling. I have really come to know more about my Savior and how I can continually turn my heart to God to improve and be more of the missionary that He needs me to be.
Thank you all so much for your support! It means more to me than words can describe!
Sister McCown
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