September 26, 2011

I can't believe its Monday.  We just got done having a Zone Activity where we played football (Go figure).  We live in a lovely two story home.  The owner is Sister Ashcraft.  She's pretty cool.  She's a convert from Judaism.  Pretty big leap if you ask me.  We live with her and this guy named Shawn Black.  Shawn is a cool guy too.  He served a Mission in Canada.  He likes to hang out with us whenever he gets the chance and talks with us.  The house is two story + basement.  We share a truck with the Columbia 2nd Elders.  Its weird.  I"ve driven two Toyota Corolla's, a Subaru Imprezza, and now a Chevy Silverado.  We're supposedly trading the truck for a Grand Caravan soon and the mission also uses Chevy Malibu's.  I don't think our leaves in this area are like they are in Utah.  Its very green here.  I've also discovered that Columbia Maryland has a LOT of Bamboo. Every Missionary affects someone no matter what area they are serving in.  For some its by how polite they are when they're on the street.  For others it when they first meet someone and they instantly connect.  Because of what we understand about our message we can often figure out how to help them through whatever struggles they have in their lives.  Thats how amazing the gospel is.  Elder Allan Packer of the Quorum of the Seventy told us, "The Mission President's job is to place in whichever area the Lord Directs him.  Yours is to find out why you are there." There's a reason why each of you live where you live.  Whether you think its because thats where you work, thats where you went to high school, thats where you want to retire to is probably not the true answer.  The Lord let you live there because there is someone else there that you need to influence.  Now go find out. Divine inspiration runs everything.  The all powerful hand of the Lord guides his work as we work for his guidance.  I bear you this as my simple testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. Elder Christofferson "Feed my sheep..."