Hello family :) Sounds like you got an extra session of conference
dad haha. That is some really cool stuff though. I liked the line that
"pain is inevitable in life but suffering is optional." Its sooo
true. I really love Bro Sanders and hope
to see him when I get back. Kyle and Emms are getting married a lot sooner than
I thought! I’m sure that will be an interesting experience being on the other
side of a wedding. Probably a lot less stress :) haha Be sure to send me some
pictures though!
General Conference was pretty
cool I have never been much of a note taker I like to just sit and take it all
in. Back in previous years that meant lying unconscious on the couch haha. But
this time I really tried to apply some of the principles being taught. My
favorite talk was probably Uchdorfs talk on be the same in the dark as you are
in the light. That really hit me. I want to be Elder Kaleb Hugh Wagner all the
time. And not try to be some other shadow of another missionary or a different
version of myself. I just have to incorporate the things I am learning to who I
am.
In the branch me and Elder
Jorgensen have this program to help the priesthood get their home teaching
done. We call and remind people to do it and if their companion is busy that
week then we will go out with them. It hasn't always been that successful
though. So we were going to call the elders and high priests directly after
priesthood session which would have probably generated a 100% yield haha. But
it was too late to call them so we will see how it goes this week... Oh yeah
there is this old black member in the branch who thinks it called "home
schooling" hahaha I wanted to correct him but I couldn't bring myself to
do
it.
We got dropped again this week, by someone who had a baptismal date.
It was really hard. I couldn't help but think to myself. "What could I
have done better?" "Did we go about teaching him the wrong way?"
I know everybody has their agency, but it still is emotionally taxing. He sent
us text telling us he doesn't want us coming by anymore and that he wants to
come by and give us his book of Mormon back. After reading that I don't think
either of us said a word for about 10 mins which is beyond unusual for us. It’s
awesome helping preparing people for baptism, but I think I am ready to find
someone who has Been prepared. That would be to easy though haha.
I had another sad, but cool experience this week. We were asked by
our branch president to go visit an elderly sister in the branch who has been
under careful watch for the last couple of years because her health has been
decreasing. Her son in law came with us and we helped him give her a blessing.
In the blessing he told her that her time was finished and that she needed to
rest for a short season. The spirit was super strong and his blessing was
guided by it for sure. A little less than two days later she passed. Words
cannot describe the feeling in that room when the blessing was given, but
everyone in their knew that she was ready to move on. I will never forget that
experience.
Also this week I had a light bulb moment. I found myself
wanting Sunday to come quicker so I could take the sacrament. It then dawned on
me that I had never really thought about the sacrament other than on Sunday. I
have come to the conclusion that if we are not looking forward to renewing our
covenants then we aren't truly repenting. It's not like we are committing these
huge transgressions, but there are thing we do that need the cleansing power of
the atonement. I am so grateful to be washed clean every Sunday and start a
new! Hope everything is well in Oregon! Remember that God does love you
as do I -Elder
Wagner
P.S. Can you send me a dictionary? I need to translate Jesus the Christ haha
P.S. Can you send me a dictionary? I need to translate Jesus the Christ haha
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| First time eating five guys burgers and fries (Potatoes from Rexburg) |
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| This is what happens when you open the door to the missionaries! |
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| Conference picture |
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