We had transfer calls on Saturday and guess what?
...I am staying! So far on my mission my pattern for areas is 6 months per area. So I guess we will see where this one will go...
This week has been filled with struggles and blessings. I will share two of the struggles: A companionship in our district was having difficulty getting along and things escalated to the point that they needed to go on emergency exchanges with me and my comp.
The day started off a little tense since I could tell the Elder I was with was having a hard time. I knew he wanted to work but that at that time he wasn't in the right mindset to be an effective missionary, with a clear mind.
Me and him took some time and discussed his troubles, I encouraged him to rant and let all the pent up emotions out. He was very hesitant but after awhile of casual conversation he began to open up.
It was interesting because I also got to do this same thing with Honomu's Elders quorum president. President Haunga was fed up with people who complained and would not accept help and/or not help themselves. He is the kind of guy who would give the shirt off his back, all he expects in return is for that person to progress (which is the purpose of this gospel.) Unfortunately for him many people he wants to help have been stagnant or to stubborn to see the reason for their problems. Two people of which are his brothers, who are jobless, unhappy and struggling in their marriages. He has tried so much to help them but they simple won't try to change.
He even confessed he had been waking up every morning at four in the morning because of the stress of the responsibility he felt over the members of this branch (This guy was once the branch president.) He is actually so fed up with people's blindness that he has asked for a release because of the stress.
I was able to get some one on one time with him and we talked about the problem. I would ask him questions and he would vent. Together we were able to discover some of the root causes for his stress. I could tell he was like a bomb waiting to blow up.
As we talked I could see him relax more and more as he seemed to find peace in our conversation. For now I think the bomb has been diffused; and the pressure that has built up has released to healthy levels.
These two events were a tender mercy to me because I got to use something I enjoyed (psychology) and use it to further the Lord's work with at least two of his children.
We also had a great message while on exchanges, at our branch presidents house. He was very downtrodden throughout our visit. (being branch pres./ disobedient kids.) But after hearing the message the Lord had us share to him he seemed to find a little more strength. Especially in knowing that if he is obedient to his calling and does his best to help the branch he will be blessed.
So in a nutshell my week has consisted of playing therapist to some elders and several members. I quite enjoyed this line of work. In my opinion most of the strong members in our branch need to vent so the stress does not get to them. (Unfortunately there is a lot of frustration with strong members.)
Honomu has been testing a lot of member's faith. It is hard for the faithful to help those who don't want to help themselves. But if they are obedient they will become better because of it; And they will earn the tittle of saint because they chose to bear their trial of faith with honor and patience.
Honomu is the Lord's testing grounds, the work is slow here but things in the branch are getting better; And as they do the work begins to flow and more people seem to appear in sacrament meeting.
Sometimes I wonder why I was sent here? Out of anywhere, why an area that is desperately struggling to keep it's head above water. I assume just like the members here it is a trial of our faith, to see if we will endure with patience. I have seen the rewards of enduring slowly seep in through the cracks, little by little. I hope while I am here I can see people heal from their heartache and frustrations they have. This branch needs to gain one heart and one mind in order to thrive. (+ The rest of Hilo wouldn't hurt. There are a lot of stubborn people here.)
Aloha!
Talk to y'all next week!
Elder Esplin
So in a nutshell my week has consisted of playing therapist to some elders and several members. I quite enjoyed this line of work. In my opinion most of the strong members in our branch need to vent so the stress does not get to them. (Unfortunately there is a lot of frustration with strong members.)
Honomu has been testing a lot of member's faith. It is hard for the faithful to help those who don't want to help themselves. But if they are obedient they will become better because of it; And they will earn the tittle of saint because they chose to bear their trial of faith with honor and patience.
Honomu is the Lord's testing grounds, the work is slow here but things in the branch are getting better; And as they do the work begins to flow and more people seem to appear in sacrament meeting.
Sometimes I wonder why I was sent here? Out of anywhere, why an area that is desperately struggling to keep it's head above water. I assume just like the members here it is a trial of our faith, to see if we will endure with patience. I have seen the rewards of enduring slowly seep in through the cracks, little by little. I hope while I am here I can see people heal from their heartache and frustrations they have. This branch needs to gain one heart and one mind in order to thrive. (+ The rest of Hilo wouldn't hurt. There are a lot of stubborn people here.)
Aloha!
Talk to y'all next week!
Elder Esplin
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