Hi Everyone!
This week I had a larger event each day. We had transfer day
on Tuesday including picking up the new missionaries at the airport and going
out teaching with them at night. Wednesday we had trainer's meeting and I moved
to a new house (we have to finish today). Thursday we had our Mission
Leadership Council Meeting then drove with President Brown to Casper after.
Friday we had zone conference in Casper and got back to Windsor pretty late.
Saturday we had Transfer Breakfast in Windsor and Sunday was church (and I was
somewhat sick for the past two days). Lots of stuff!
Tuesday night was the most missionary-eventful day of the
week as I went out teaching with a new missionary for a couple hours. I was
SUPER nervous because I was unable to set up any appointments! Here I am, one
who should be an example missionary, and I'm unprepared! Naturally, after I picked up Elder Underwood,
we prayed. We pleaded with the Lord for miracles. More than usual, I needed the
Lord's help and guidance. I still didn't really know where we should go for the
evening, but had a couple people in mind we could visit. I made some
"random" turns to take side roads that inspired a new plan! We
dropped by the Jensons and see if we could take their 19-year-old son to visit
single sisters. Since he wasn't there, I asked Sister Jenson who she has been
concerned about that we could visit (she used to be the Relief Society
President). Unfortunately none of the people felt like the one we should visit
that night. Still unsure of what to do, we went toward our car. I remembered
the Young Women's President lives across the street. Perhaps she would have
some ideas! Of course, she wasn't there either! But, the miracle we were
looking for happened!! As her husband let us in, we found one of our
investigators at their home!! Haha. I hadn't seen Ricky Clarke for about two
months. He showed up to their house unannounced earlier in the evening and we
happened to show up unannounced too! It couldn't have worked out more
perfectly!
I never would have considered visiting Ricky on Tuesday
night. I am so grateful I started driving and deviating to find where to go and
what to do. It was a great testimony builder for me to remember that God will
lead us to people as we lean on Him. As far as the lesson went, Ricky continues
to feel unforgivable because of his past. We testified to him of God's love.
Elder Underwood was excited to have an opportunity to testify to a real person
about the reality of the Restored Gospel. He'll be a good missionary! He invited
Ricky to REALLY read the Book of Mormon because that is how he felt the Spirit
and why he was baptized (he was baptized about four years ago). I likewise
shared from personal experience. I was scared to talk with God about my sins
(aka repent), but as I have done that more frequently I have felt His love more
in my life. I invited Ricky to pray and really ask God for help and to
apologize for mistakes he has made. In true Ricky fashion, he didn't accept any
invitation I left with him. Haha. I pray that he will do it anyway! One thing I
learned this week from watching the church's "A Savior Is Born"
videos, is that the Atonement of Jesus Christ takes away excuses. No one is
ever too far gone. Repentance and God's love is always there if we are willing to
open up our heart to God.
The other things from this week... I was reminded how
critical it is to use the Training Model. I have fallen into the trap of
talking more than demonstrating and practicing. But as we 1: Explain 2:
Demonstrate 3: Practice 4: Evaluate 5: Repractice, we can truly learn and
become better. We did this in Trainer's Mtg this week and a little at MLC and
Zone Conference. It was sweet. Elder Dilworth demonstrated helping a missionary
overcome pride. One of the questions he asked changed the spirit of the room.
It was so awesome. All of us could feel that he had asked an inspired question!
That wouldn't have happened if we had talked about theoretical ways of helping
the missionary. We just need to practice/demonstrate doing it!
Lastly, I am super grateful for the opportunity to spend so
much time with President and Sister Brown. We were in the car with them for
about 4 hours on Thursday and 5 hours of Friday. We will travel with them more
this upcoming week too. It is amazing to see his commitment and personality
first hand. As missionaries we see only a glimpse of who he is because of our
limited interaction. He showed a little of his personality this week at MLC
telling a joke or two. I am grateful to have received counsel and guidance from
him. One little experience... We realized that I forgot a bag at the Casper
Stake Center after having driven an hour towards Windsor. He didn't react
negatively at all. He didn't ask, "Elder Campbell, why didn't you remember
it?" Or "What's wrong with you?" Or anything like that. He
didn't think twice about the extra two hours we would have to be in the car. He
just immediately turned the car around!
I am grateful to be a missionary here in Windsor! Just a few
weeks left now. We have a lot to do, but I am excited!
Have an amazing week!
Elder Campbell
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