Talofa!
It was a bit boring this New Year's holiday week here in Samoa. No fireworks, stores closed, no parties to attend. The mission leaders and office missionaries were all in Tutuilla for most of the week so it was pretty quiet around the office too. We came back from our Survivor Resort one-night stay on Monday afternoon and it was nice to get away for a little break. But then when we got back we found that all government offices were closed all week and most of the downtown shops and stores were going to be closed on Wednesday, and Thursday.. On Tuesday, we spent all day going to our zone's district meetings. Now that our zone has 18 missionaries, they split into two districts so it takes up most of the day for us with the driving distance.and attending 2 district meetings. There's also been quite a few missionaries with colds (sore throats, runny noses, coughs) so I ran out of cold medicine this week and couldn't buy more until Friday because the pharmacy wasn't open either. We've started preparing for the new intakes that will be coming in Mid-January. I've been reviewing their health histories and physicals and starting to put together intake packets and Elder Godderidge has been getting a few new housing quarters ready to open up to accomodate more missionaries. We have 12 going home and 26 coming in so our numbers are increasing! On Saturday, we attended a baptism in our zone. They were 3 children from one family that were past 8 years old and hadn't been baptized yet and one 8 year old from another family. The father is inactive so the missionaries did the baptizing. We challenged them to work a little harder on trying to get their father reactivated. Sadly, many of the wards we attend have very few Priesthood holders in attendance. We sometimes wonder if they have to follow the same rules we do at home when they organize new wards and stakes with the Priesthood holders being at a certain number before they can make a new ward boundary.
Sunday, we slept in and went to the YSA ward at 10:30. Then, after our fast, we were invited to dinner by one of the Senior couples, the Strobel's, so all I had to cook was dessert!
I listened to a talk given by Elder Uchtdorf this week that was suggested in Come Follow me studies. He reminds us that the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ is more than past events (the translation of the Book of Mormon, the receiving of Priesthood keys, the organization of the church). "In reality, Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. It includes all that God has revealed, now reveals, and many great and important things that he will yet reveal---the exciting developments of today are part of that long-foretold period of preparation that will culminate in the glorious Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."
He told us no to sleep through it, not to be a passive observer, but to roll up our sleeves and labor with all our heart, might, mind, and strength to help build up the kingdom of God.
He talked about three obstacles that might hold us back; Selfishness, Addictions, and Competing Priorities. He encouraged us to not let these things "lull you into indifference or detachment from blessed discipleship and ennobling service." We should not give only a half-hearted effort to this sacred work. "Being a disciple of Jesus Christ--is an effort of once and for all."
It was a good "pep talk" for me. And a reminder about the important things to be focusing on that will bring eternal blessings.
Love you all!
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