This last week was beyond wonderful. Even with a few of our
lesson canceling we were able to do a bunch of fun/cool things.
This email I’m going to share four highlights from this week.
First, I would like to start off with the R___ family.
The Dad has been a member for a couple years now. He owns a taco stand here in Clifton. He lived in Mexico for 12 years where he learned
how to makes killer tacos. His business
is doing so well that he can only work Thursdays and Fridays because he sells
out of them. Two weeks ago, we helped
him with some service and found out that his family are not members. We gained his trust and we started teaching his
family. Sunday, they said they are ready
to be baptized. They really want an eternal family and are excited to come
closer to Christ. So, that is super
exciting right?
Next, after the book of Mormon class we teach, we got word
that there was a lady in the ward who's yard needed weeding and we were asked
if we could do so. So, Friday morning we went over unannounced and weeded this
lady's entire yard and the best part is, we did it anonymously – because nobody
was home. So, she still has no idea who did it. Well, little did we know, she is from Stafford
and is a recent convert and is struggling with the move to the small town of
Morenci. She doesn't know many people in
the ward. So, we took the opportunity to make her day. She sent a nice message to the ward group
chat that was really sweet. No one knows
it was us. lol. So, I am inviting everyone
to do a simple act of service for someone before the month's end.
#ServiceSeptemeber.
The third highlight I would like to share happened on Saturday.
Our ward had an 11-year-old scout day camp up in the mountains and they needed
us to help teach tying knots and just being good examples for the boys. So, we got to spend all day Saturday up at
Black Jack Campground near the New Mexico, Arizona border, up in the mountains. It was so nice - it was 71 degrees all day
long. Man, let me tell you it was a nice
change of pace.
The final highlight of this week happened on Tuesday. We had mission conference (with half of the mission)
with a member of the Quorum of the Seventy.
I cannot put in to words of how enjoyable, wisdom filled and
enlightening it was to have a Member of the Quorum of the Seventy to come visit
our mission. Lynn G. Robbins is ‘The Man.’ He was awesome. He is such a captivating and
eloquent teacher - not to mention the amount of intellect and wisdom he shared
with us.
We talked a lot about developing our Christlike attributes. How missions are the equivalent of 500 level college
courses on marriage, patience and diligence. It was just all so wonderful, but one of the
main takeaways I learned wasn't exactly something he taught, but I took what he
taught and expounded on it and I will share it with everyone now:
We were talking about how the glass is half full or half
empty = Optimism vs pessimism. I have
now adopted this mentality and this just came to me while he was talking: No matter which option we choose (half
full/half empty) we STILL have water in our glass.
Let that sink in for a moment. You can relate this to
everything in life. No matter if it is applied
to the gospel of Jesus Christ or something in your everyday life. Elder Robbins also talked being happy and
enjoying everyday life during the last General Conference – look it up. It really supported and encouraged what I have
already been working on.
There's a story that goes as follows:
It was a rainy day in England and two missionaries were
going door-to-door with no success. Day
in and day out it had been raining and nobody showed remotely any interest. Being tired, cold and hungry one companion
begins to murmur and complain (who wouldn't, right? lol). That being said, his companion turned to
him and said a couple simple words that changed MY life forever... He
said, “Elder it could be one degree colder.”
Because this message is so pure and simple I won't expound on
it much more because I'm sure you get the point, but I have been learning a lot
out here, in the mission field. I’m learning
to be happy and enjoy every little thing. It has helped so much and I am
always in a much better mood! Give it a try, what have you got to lose.
I had such a wonderful week and can't wait to hear from everyone. I love you all.
Love,
Elder C.W. Dickinson
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