This week we had three days of interviews. The interviews make for very long days for me but more so for Aaron. I have the luxury of leaving as needed to be mom plus he had 13 departing missionary interviews on Friday.
For these interviews Aaron focused on accountability and shared with them the following… “A study was conducted at Brigham Young University related to goal achievement. The study found that the probability of achieving a particular goal was associated with the statements a person made about the goal. People who said… “That’s a good idea” had a 10% chance. Those who said “I’ll do it,” had a 25% chance of reaching their goal. Those who put a date by which they planned to achieve their goal had a 40% chance of doing so. Those who developed a specific plan for reaching their goal had a 50% chance getting there. Those who committed to someone else that they would accomplish their goal had a 60% chance of making it. But those people who committed to someone else and also committed to share their progress at regular intervals had a 95% chance of reaching their goal!” Pretty impressive results. He would then talk about their goals, their plans, and their willingness to be accountable to the Lord, themselves, their companions, and the mission leadership. A power packed 10 minutes.
I spent time with companionships and some districts teaching them how to work with the members and follow up on the #LIGTHtheWorld activities. I challenged them on the spot to call and set up as many member appointments (anyone they’d never worked with) as possible within a 15-minute time frame. They then had to return and report to me who they set up appointments with before they could walk out the door. It was super effective on my part but also on their part. We were able to resolve any concerns they had and were able to work through obstacles right then as well. I didn’t do this with Bay City missionaries but I hope to employ an instant invitation and follow up with future interviews.
Allie has been working hard finishing up her assignments and studying for her finals. Her latest paper she had to do in Humanities was on Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and the impact and reflection it had on society. Interesting and I love listening to the song. She is determined to do well in her Political Science class especially since she has heard that many fail this class and have to retake it but not her.
Bode had a game on Wednesday and were beaten by 40 or so. Not a lot of fun losing like that. Thursday after school, I took Bode in to get new invisaliners from the orthodontist. His teeth are moving well and he wears the invisaliners without any prodding from me. Jessie was also checked just to see if anything can be done yet. Knowing that my family is slower on the development part I knew she wasn’t.
December is tournament time for high school basketball. Zac had one this weekend and did well, but their team only won one of three. They lost the game Thursday, won Friday night but then lost Saturday morning. Jess continues to be a great missionary and shares the pass-a-long cards with anyone that will take one and most do from her. She really wants her friends from school to come to primary with her.
Saturday night we spoke at the Houston South Stake Conferences tonight, our last for 2016. I spoke on how we as members can serve with the missionaries to #LighttheWorld and to not fear extending invitations. Going back Brother Christensen, experience of being an everyday missionary. That success in being a missionary isn’t based on the result of the invitation, but that we allow those we invite to use their agency to choose whether they have interest are not. Some will clearly turn us down, but it need not effect our friendships. For some, their hearts may be opened to learn more about our Savior Jesus Christ. We truly succeed when we invite! I then share an experience that I had earlier in the day with one of Jessie’s friends’ parents and how the missionaries had worked with me the day before. They had actually prepared me for another family but it had prepared me for this opportunity. It truly was a tender mercy how it all came together.
It really doesn’t feel like Christmas much around here but we have once again had a very cold week and a few mornings in the 30’s. I may really experience a cold Christmas down here. I may not get snow but it kind of feels like January. ;)
Sorry no pictures this week. :(