Man what a week! Thursday we had transfers. I literally moved across Macleod. I am super close to where I was. It's pretty sweet! My comp is Elder Pugh (Sounds like puke without the k). He is sweet. He's from Rexburg Idaho. He's been out for three months so I'm greenie busting him haha, but he's a super solid missionary already. He's a stud. So far we are getting along great. I think it will be a good transfer. Right now we are living with our zone leaders because the basement where we live is having the floor redone so it's under construction. It's kinda crazy. But the place where we are supposed to be living isn't even in our area so the mission office is trying to find us a place in our area. So we probably won't even be living there anyway. Living with the zone leaders is pretty sweet though haha. They are a ton of fun and I think by the end of this transfer I will have a six pack because of how hard I have been laughing. So fun! And the two wards we cover, McKenzie and Sundance ward are sweet! They are super nice and welcoming! I feel right at home already. The young men especially are super nice. They came up and introduced themselves to me. This is going to be a great area. I am so pumped!
The best part so far about this transfer has to be how much work we are getting. When I got here, the area was pretty dead. There wasn't much teaching going on. Over the past three days we stopped by a former investigator who was super nice and said that she would love to have us over at the beginning of May. She seems golden and was so nice it was crazy. We thought she was a member when we first started talking to her. Then the next one was a call that we got from a member who said she has a friend who lives in the ward and wants to be taught by the missionaries. Pretty much loco. This almost never happens so we are super pumped for that. We have an appointment set up with them on Friday. Then at church, a member stopped us to tell us that he got an email from another member who also has a friend who wants to be taught by the missionaries as well. Not only that, but she said that she already knows who she wants to have baptize her. She has already started making plans for baptism!!! We haven't even met her yet! It's seriously insane all the work that is just falling into our laps. We can't believe it!
Anyway, just a quick spiritual thought before I go. The first verse in the Book of Mormon is Nephi speaking. He is the son of Lehi. This is what he said:
"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceeding in my days."
There is a lot we can get out of this one verse. What I want to focus on is how Nephi says he has seen many afflictions in his days. If you look that scripture up in the Book of Mormon, you will see that there is a cross reference to the topical guide. It will take you is to "blessings". The cross reference for afflictions is blessings. How on earth is that right? Well in order to understand this, you have to understand God's plan for you. The purpose of this plan is to come down to earth, gain a body, and grow. We must progress. We must learn how to deal with hard things, how to overcome trials, and how to endure to the end. We are here to gain experiences that will help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father. When we go through a tough time, we are forced to turn to him and ask for help. When he helps us, our faith and love towards him and our Savior grows. Trials are necessary. It was the trials that gave Nephi his testimony of the gospel. It was trials that helped him understand the "mysteries of God". And it is trials that allow us to become all who God has created us to be. I am grateful for the trials I have had to face so far in this life because without them, I would not be where I am now. And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Those are my thoughts for the week. I hope they will help you with the things you will be facing this coming week and that you will have a better perspective throughout the trials you will undoubtedly face. I am praying for you always.
Elder Anderson
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