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| Scenery in OKC |
A great amount has happened this week. I will do my best to summarize while yet preserving an amount of detail.
On Monday, I reread an email my Dad sent to me about the concepts of "being right" vs "doing what's right", which stuck out to me again. Many times I recognize that I struggle with getting caught up in the web of "being right". The differences between pride and confidence is your maturity and understanding how you are aiding or hindering others in your performances. The problem with exalting yourself above another is you become competitive and contentious. We all know that contention is of the devil (3 Nephi 11:19). As we strive to develop a broken heart and a contrite spirit, the Lord will show unto us our weaknesses and as we work on them in reliance and faith in Him and His atonement, we will overcome our weaknesses. His grace is sufficient for us.
Tuesday was an exciting day. We were able to teach a lesson to Misty, a new investigator we found through her Mom, a recent convert of a couple of years. Misty just gave birth to a baby boy, and we taught the Plan of Salvation. She said that she learned a lot and said that she'd try to come to church. She wasn't able to, but I'll have to explain why later.
We also had an appointment with Jasmine. We taught her the 10 commandments and keeping the Sabbath day holy. We taught her the hand signs for the 10 commandments and she did a really good job remembering which ones they were. It was a really great lesson. She is progressing, her baptismal date is for 11 April.
Wednesday, I'll just jump into the tornado account since nothing really engaging occurred that day as far as missionary work went. Thanks to some heads-up from members as well as our weather radios, we were prepared for the bad thunderstorms that were developing Wednesday afternoon. We had dinner with the Black family, and while we were eating we watched Oklahoma's sky turn green and the weather picked up quick. Green sky is a sign for hail and possible tornado threats, so it was pretty intense. The tornado that touched down was in Moore, which is pretty far away from me but there was one attempting to form near 10th st and Rockwell, which wasn't far away. Needless to say, when you live in Oklahoma you should be prepared for such weather. Luckily our car wasn't damaged by the hail, so that was really nice.
On Thursday we did our regular weekly planning before we went out and talked to some people. We found James, a young kid that is a black belt. He talked a lot about some of his family issues, so we taught him how important families are and how they can be healed through living the gospel. He was interested so we set a return appointment for this week!
Friday we were able to talk to a bunch of kids outside of our dinner appointment and gave them Because He Lives cards for Easter. They told us that they have done some church hopping and they said that they would see if they could come to ours sometime.
Saturday was a service day. We helped a member stack some wood in his backyard and then met with Brian, the one that was doing the yard sale (can't believe I forgot to write his name last letter!). He is reading the Book of Mormon and he has got a lot of insights out of it. He's a pretty cool guy who loves Glenn Beck so we will see what becomes of him.
Sunday was a nuclear explosion for our Stake as a whole. Randomly on Friday we got a bunch of calls and texts from members saying that a stake meeting will happen on 10:00 Sunday, replacing our normal sacrament meetings. The Stake performed a boundary change, and added two brand new wards; the OKC 7th and Edmond 4th. It was pretty interesting because they had to change basically all of the boundaries in the stake to complement the new wards, but it is so inspired when you look at the changes. It's incredible how missionary work is already adapting to the change. Sunday night was transfer calls. I will be opening the OKC 7th ward with Elder Navez (not Chavez, literally Navez). I'm pretty excited! Now because we just moved I will be staying at the same apartment for more than a couple of weeks, so my address hasn't changed yet. Elder Hart is going to Edmond 2nd ward, so I will miss him. He is a great Elder! Elders Read and Gillies are staying in the 3rd ward, taking it over. It's a pretty extensive remodeling job done by President Walkenhorst.
And now today, I'm emailing you!
So yes, quite the remodeling job. But hey, spring is here, and spring is all about change. That's why I love the season!
The weather is predicted to get worse in the next few months. We'll get fairer temperatures but apparently this tornado season is supposed to be intense. We'll have to see what mother nature can bring to the table this year.
My mission experience has been absolutely amazing so far. I honestly think that the catalyst of change has been the most enjoyable thing I have been able to experience. Change in the people I teach, change in the places I go, and more importantly, change in myself. It is such a blessing that we can change through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I stand as a witness of such change, that it is possible no matter who you are or what you've done. Because Christ suffered through our weaknesses with us he understands where we come from and he works with us from that point on. He lives! Now all we need to do is find him through living the gospel. Seek him as you turn the pages of the scriptures, look for him when you come to church, call for him when you pray. I know that these things are true.
Thanks for your enduring love and support,
Elder Holbrook
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| Tree outside Apartment...Spring! |
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| Sky is green with tornado nearby! |
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| Dark sky |
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