Aaron and I spoke in the Richmond Stake conference Sunday morning. It was a great meeting filled with the spirit. The music was amazing. One of the sisters is incredibly talented. She did a special arrangement of Come Thou Fount. She also sang a number from Savior of the World that was very moving for me. Music truly is a way to testify of our Savior and that was apparent today.
My missionary email message this week, “The difference between who you are and who you want be is what you do.” Reaching your potential is about doing things you never knew you could do and reaching heights that you can only dream about. It’s about pushing yourself to become a better and stronger person. When you break down what limits you or the barriers that hold you back, you can do more than you thought possible. As Thomas Edison once said, “If we did all the things we were capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” However at times we get caught up in our daily routines and find days when we’re unmotivated. Even if you work hard, staying inspired to do more can seem difficult. Sometimes you need to find out for yourself what you are capable of (even if it is just 1% more than you were doing before) to keep pushing forward as you find out just what you’re made of. HOW? Our Prophet and Apostles know the way. President Monson stated that we should "Expand your knowledge, both intellectual and spiritual, spiritual to the full stature of your divine potential.” Elder Scott reminds us "that you are a son or daughter of God with divine potential…..discern through the Spirit your divinely given capacities…..prayerfully make worthy choices that will lead you to realize your full potential.” Finally Elder Utchdorf, "As you read the scriptures and listen to (or read) the words of the prophets with all your heart and mind, the Lord will tell you how to live up to your privileges. Don’t let a day go by without doing something to act on the promptings of the Spirit."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf shares a parable of a man who realizes he has been living far beneath his privileges.
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-01-001-your-potential-your-privileges?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2013&lang=eng
Monday brought us another transfer week. All our missionaries arrived on time and we had all of our companionships assigned and back out to work by 6:30. The new transfer process is so much more efficient and is the least disruptive on the missionaries and my family. Last transfer Jessie was really sad that she didn’t get to welcome the new missionaries last transfer so as we were driving back from the airport we stopped to check her out of school to eat lunch and “interview” the missionaries. She loved going to the mission office afterwards as well. She brought her bunny, April, for the missionaries to hug. They loved Jessie’s thoughtful touch and many remarked that it was helpful during the transfer process. She is a mini missionary at heart!
Bode had his first day of basketball tryouts after school today. He felt pretty good about it. I get the feeling he is worried he might not make it this year. He has definitely been putting more time into shooting in the backyard but only in the last two weeks. Hopefully he didn’t delay his practicing efforts too long.
We only had one missionary departing this transfer, Aaron allowed him to stay a few extra days so he could attend the endowment and sealing of a convert that he worked with in his last area. Aaron and I attended the temple with him on Wednesday. It is really cool to see someone who progresses from baptism to an endowment and then a sealing since we have been here. The brother is Hispanic and we were blessed to have the endowment session in Spanish. I was somehow confident that I would understand so I went without the headset and then had to pay extra close attention especially because we were the witness couple. :) Great experience! Thursday and Friday we had our lesson review training and new missionary meeting. Aaron and I will speak in the Friendswood adult session of stake conference on Saturday night. A very busy week.
Bode found out on Wednesday that he made the basketball team. YEAH! He was pretty happy to make it. We are glad too. Zac is on the JV team and games will start next week. I am grateful the boys are involved with sports at the schools. It helps them and us feel like we have some regular family life during the week. I enjoy my visits with Allie over Facetime. It helps us, well me for sure, feel more connected. I catch up with her while cooking dinner at night. Sometimes answering cooking questions for her. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to talk her through her college experiences. Jessie really likes to snapchat with Allie. It is fun for me to watch them go back and forth. Jessie made a vanilla ice cream scented candle at Activity Days this week. She was really excited to show and have me smell it. It does smell like vanilla ice cream. She is now preparing for her December gymnastics “meet”, more like a show and tell for parents. I haven’t signed her up for it so I better get on it or she might be devastated. :(
We really are enjoying our time here on the mission. There is never a dull moment and we are always learning, stretching and growing. :)