Day 111-If We Listen With Love...July 17, 2006
Today we had Monday meetings. Elder Chacon picked us up and gave us a ride there. Elder McKnight left for a new area so Elder Chacon’s new companion is Elder Gleave. This is Elder Gleave’s 2nd transfer, so that makes Elder Chacon his breaker. I’m glad Elder Chacon is still in my area. He’s the best.
Today in district meetings, Elder Pierce (my companion) gave a talk from Preach My Gospel about asking good questions. He told us the story of his 1st interview with President B. Now, President B is former F.B.I., and head of church security, so he knows a thing or two about interrogating someone. “Well, Elder Pierce,” he said, “It says here that your first name is Kristopher?” “Yes” “You were born in Ogden, Utah?” “Yes” “And your birthday is June 3rd, 1986?” (Pause)… “uh, yeah.” “Now Elder Pierce,” said President B, “You paused. You had to think about it. Are you sure that’s your birthday?” “Yeah.” “You’re sure?” “Yes,” said Elder Pierce turning red. Funny missionary memories.
Elder Pierce also taught that it is more important to listen, than to just ask questions. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught, “More important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can offer more… If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us – by the Spirit and by our friends.” (“Witnesses Unto Me”, Ensign, May 2001, 15; Preach My Gospel, page 185)
We also stopped by and saw A (Day 105) again. He’s renting out the basement of LT’s home. A and L are two of the nicest people I’ve met on my mission so far. Before Elder Davis left we went over to her house and Elder Davis fixed her computer. Elder Davis is very computer savvy. But now I’m with Elder Pierce. He’s okay, too. Anyway, today when we stopped by, A and L were just getting back from the senior center. They’re both getting on in years, but still try to stay active. A rented Gene Kelley’s “Singin’ in the Rain” from the public library and wanted to know if we’d like to watch it with him. We told him thanks anyways, but as missionaries we really weren’t suppose to.
As it turns out, A’s heart is getting weaker and he told us he’s going to need to have surgery. We told him that we’d keep him in our prayers. He said, “I’d like that, thank you.” He’s going to visit the doctor tomorrow for an examination. Nice guy. Real nice guy.
Well, today was pretty good. Tomorrow we go to teach S. We’ll try to set her straight.
Today in district meetings, Elder Pierce (my companion) gave a talk from Preach My Gospel about asking good questions. He told us the story of his 1st interview with President B. Now, President B is former F.B.I., and head of church security, so he knows a thing or two about interrogating someone. “Well, Elder Pierce,” he said, “It says here that your first name is Kristopher?” “Yes” “You were born in Ogden, Utah?” “Yes” “And your birthday is June 3rd, 1986?” (Pause)… “uh, yeah.” “Now Elder Pierce,” said President B, “You paused. You had to think about it. Are you sure that’s your birthday?” “Yeah.” “You’re sure?” “Yes,” said Elder Pierce turning red. Funny missionary memories.
Elder Pierce also taught that it is more important to listen, than to just ask questions. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught, “More important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can offer more… If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us – by the Spirit and by our friends.” (“Witnesses Unto Me”, Ensign, May 2001, 15; Preach My Gospel, page 185)
We also stopped by and saw A (Day 105) again. He’s renting out the basement of LT’s home. A and L are two of the nicest people I’ve met on my mission so far. Before Elder Davis left we went over to her house and Elder Davis fixed her computer. Elder Davis is very computer savvy. But now I’m with Elder Pierce. He’s okay, too. Anyway, today when we stopped by, A and L were just getting back from the senior center. They’re both getting on in years, but still try to stay active. A rented Gene Kelley’s “Singin’ in the Rain” from the public library and wanted to know if we’d like to watch it with him. We told him thanks anyways, but as missionaries we really weren’t suppose to.
As it turns out, A’s heart is getting weaker and he told us he’s going to need to have surgery. We told him that we’d keep him in our prayers. He said, “I’d like that, thank you.” He’s going to visit the doctor tomorrow for an examination. Nice guy. Real nice guy.
Well, today was pretty good. Tomorrow we go to teach S. We’ll try to set her straight.
posted by Garden Anywhere Box | 5:28 PM
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