We did a good amount
of traveling this week, and it was pretty fun! Last week we drove over an hour
to Portland to go to the temple, then the next day we drove an hour to Newberg
for a mission-wide leadership meeting. Then on Friday we went to Salem for Zone
Conference!
The subject line is
a reference to Zone Conference, because it was officially my last. As I face
this last transfer of my mission, I am going to start facing some
"lasts"...which is absolutely INSANE! Holy goodness, I remember all
the "lasts" before entering the MTC (last time going to church with
my family, last time going to Chick Fil A, last time watching a movie, etc.
etc. etc.)
It is so surreal, it
is not even funny! But I love it too because I've really seen this past week my
love for the work and desire to try my hardest each day grow...even though I
always have, of course!
During the meeting
on Wednesday, President Wilde informed all the sisters there that during our
zone conferences, we would be teaching 3 50-minute classes on how to train
missionaries in "talking with everyone", specifically how to do it
with charity to find people prepared to receive the gospel. And lucky for our
specific area...we were the first zone conference- so Sister Morgan and I had
less than 2 days to prepare!
It worked out,
though, and it was super fun! We emphasized a lot the need to see others as
children of God, and for the divine potential they have. We also discussed how
we can fulfill our purpose as missionaries more effectively, and when we
actively keep that purpose at the forefronts of our minds, we can be diligent
and bold!
At the end of the
zone conference, President Wilde led a discussion focused on "Fair
Dinkum" which in English means "all in". We talked about how
important it is to be "all in" as we do missionary work. There are so
many distractions that can cause us to lose our focus, especially as we live
our day to day; but when we keep our true focus in mind, whatever it may be at
whatever stage of life we may be in, that focus affects our daily decisions.
One goal I have as I live the rest of my life is to always be worthy to enter
the temple, and I know that as I keep that focus, I will be able to make good
decisions (reading my scriptures daily, serving others, going to the temple
regularly, etc.) that will keep my goal a reality!
I love zone
conference so much and look forward to it every transfer! It is such a sacred
experience where I get to give my input, receive counsel from others and just
feel uplifted and ready to work even harder. I also just love any time that I
get to gather with other missionaries; it is a good reminder that my companion
and I aren't doing the Lord's work alone (even though it does feel like that
sometimes), but that we are literally as the army of Helaman!
But that day was
even more special, because I got to see my Sister Leifson! She is the greatest
person ever and I was so excited to see her! I love being in her zone and I
love her to death!
Miracles through the
Book of Mormon!!
We are currently
working with a guy named Travis (I've probably mentioned him in previous
weeks), but he has been having a really rough time with facing so many unfortunate
events in his life that have seemed to crash down upon him at one time. We feel
so bad for all that he has to face, but as we've been working with him, we've
really noticed how open his heart is to the gospel. Even though it is hard for
him to ask, his desire is so strong and so pure!
We invited him to
the Book of Mormon class on Saturday, and we had a ride organized and
everything, but then right before he texted us and said he wasn't doing okay
mentally and didn't want to come. Well...we wouldn't take that!
We ended up driving
over early to talk to him about it. He seemed really sad and heartbroken about
something that had happened, and it gave us an opportunity to help him see how
much peace and comfort he could feel as he took this chance to meet with other
people and read in the Book of Mormon. It took some time to convince him...but
he eventually got his shoes on and his Book of Mormon! It was such a good
experience for him and we are so glad we followed the prompting to push back a
little bit. To really help him feel the love God has for him and the blessings
He has ready to give him as he acts in faith. After the class, Travis said he
felt more at peace about things and we promised him that he would be able to
figure the things out in his life that were going crazy. I know that Heavenly
Father is aware of us and will take care of us!
Rollercoasters of
emotions have already begun and I know it won't change much in the coming
weeks, especially as the "inevitable" (as my mission President calls
it haha) of going home soon approaches. The only word that could fully describe
it is "unreal".
But something that I
know to be a constant in my life is Jesus Christ- both His love for me and His
willingness to help me as long as I remain faithful. I could never fully
describe how much He has helped me throughout my life, and I have never seen so
consistently His hand in my life than on my mission.
This past week in my
studies I've gained a lot of peace when coming to know that everything we
experience and every lesson we learn and every attribute we acquire is
preparatory for the next phases of our life. Just like how our life before
mortality prepared us for today, our time now on this earth is preparing us for
what comes after this life. Isn't that the coolest thing?!
I know that every
experience I have had on my mission and will continue to have in the coming
weeks are preparing me and strengthening me for what I will prepare in the
future. Heavenly Father blesses us "line upon line, precept upon
precept" and I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves us enough to
give us hard things, because He sees the eternal perspective and He wants us to
be strong!
I love my Savior and
His gospel. I love being a missionary- I'm living the dream! I am thankful for
this time I have to dedicate and give to Him, and to make the best out of every
situation. I am grateful for this opportunity I have to truly give each day He
has given me, back to Him!
I love you all and
am thankful for all your love and support!
Sister McCown
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