From probation to district leader. when God puts trials in front of us, it means that he knows that we are ready to grow more. through these experiences in the MTC, i have gained much more knowledge and wisdom, not only in the gospel or the language but on how to be a man. one of the things that i've learned about myself is that it's hard for me to listen to someone if i don't respect them or like them. this is something that i've found that i need to improve upon while i'm here on my mission.
My first month here, things were not the best situation. our district had earned the reputation of being "the worse district that the MTC has ever seen." i wasn't the only one to contribute evidence to that statement, but i was the only one to have been put on probation. i was frustrated and extremely upset with my old branch president who singled me out as the cause of all the inadequacies of the district. President Stott (My Old Branch President) and i had been clashing heads since day one and i had made my disapproval of him known. i guess it was pride and anger and the fact that I'm not afraid to speak my mind.. i had been put on probation for something which i had no real part of, but i had spoken out about. even if you don't like your leaders, you still have to do what they tell you to. i had been singled out for discipline when everyone else in the district was more deserving for probation than me. but even though other people were doing wrong, that doesn't excuse my own actions. for as in Alma 42: 30-31
"O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility. And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen."
when i read this, it was one of those instances where you just open up to a random page and read the first thing you see. it may not be the best scripture, but in that instance, it spoke directly to me. By allowing myself to become affected by my surroundings, i had become just as bad as those around me, we didn't study effectively and we hardly stayed on task. i tried to excuse my behavior because of those around me. i was prideful and didn't want to accept many of the things which President Stott said to me. I was aboout to give up and go home, but this scripture told me what i should do.
allowing yourself to be the creation of your surroundings is not the way to progress in this life. if you are surrounded by people who are doing wrong, do not allow yourself to be brought down with them, but rather become a leader and show them the way.
President Taylor (New Branch President) and President Williams (MTC District President) are two great men who had put faith in me when my last branch president thought that i should have gone home. president Williams stuck his neck out for me to stay here, and president Taylor felt that i would be a great help to the district and zone as a leader. so far, he has gone on to say that i have "done the best job that he's ever seen." i wouldn't go that far in saying that about myself, but there is definitely a difference in my attitude. mainly because it is a much more motivating having people love you into being a better person, rather than trying to force you into being a better person. not only that, but i felt relieved to have someone give me a fair trial and to give me the chance to prove President Stott wrong in his assumption that i was a horrible missionary.
As the district leader, i've been able to use my experiences here to help my new district with their trials. i've been here for a few weeks more than them so i've helped them cope with a lot of the challenges that they are now currently facing. many of them have trials going on back at home which i have been able to help them through. i feel that heavenly father wanted me to change districts because he needed me to learn a few valuable lessons and to help the elders in this district. so far, my district has maintained the perfect attitude and obedience that was apparent the second i walked in. even through trials which have greatly affect all of them.
today, my old district left. even though i'll miss Elder Ioane and Elder Vaimalu, i'm happy that i'm staying here with my district. i went and sent them off earlier today, it was sad, but it won't be the last time that i see them. right now though, i need to focus on helping my district to be an even greater district than they already are. i'll have an extra three weeks to learn the language, and i won't waste these next three weeks. i've wasted enough of the lord's time by thinking of myself.
anyways, i'm happy to report that things are going great now, for the past few weeks, there hasn't been any snow at all. most of the snow had already melted and the weather was starting to feel nice. on Friday though, we got a lot of snow. most of it was really fluffy though so it melted the next day, but whenever i got the chance, i would run up to a tree and kick it so the the snow would fall on top of me. it was pretty fun, i'm sure Carli and Drew would have liked to do that with me. i have some videos of me doing it, but it only lasted a day and then the snow was melted.
by the way, i don't think i'll need anymore gum for a while. i think i'll have enough for the next 3 weeks that i'm here at the MTC. after that runs out, i'll be able to get my own. (thanks bishop landree)
oh and i also wanna learn how to cook. (for last weeks blog)
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