So the first cool thing that happened
this week was that we got to go to the temple as a district! It was sooo
fun! I love being able to go to the temple as a missionary! And you
sometimes run into someone from a past area which is cool! This past
time I ran into Elder Moody, senior missionary in Hammond. He told me a
lot about what is going on there. I learned that a lot of people that I
had worked with in Hammond to prepare them for the temple will be going
through soon and I can wait to go and see them go through! It will be
such a cool experience to go through with someone I've come to know and
love!
Other than that this was a pretty
standard week haha! Missionary work doesn't really change that much so
there isn't much to tell that I haven't already told! The Spanish group
here is doing well. Yesterday was a pretty small group tho because most
of the families had to work until 6 and that is when the group meets! We
did get some cool youth there and they are interested in coming again
and bringing their family so we might be on to something out here!
So
this week I was reading in 1Corinthians Chapter 4 and I think I found
the perfect scripture to describe what is is like as a missionary.
10
We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak,
but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised.
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
This
is what I love about the mission, I go out every day as a fool 'for
Christ's sake' but because of this others become 'wise in Christ.' This
has been the hardest thing about the mission. It isn't fun to be the
'fool' or 'despised' or 'the filth of the world.' Who would want to be
these things? But it is soooo worth it! I wish it was easier to set
aside my pride and be that 'fool' but every time I do I never regret
that decision.
I love y'all and pray that everything is going good for y'all :)
Keep the faith and always remember that our Heavenly Father and the Savior love you and are aware of you :)
Con amor,
Elder Nathan Stoddard
