I am learning so much everyday about how God loves each of us, and only wants what is best for us. It is so vitally important and essential that we remember that God can be part of our lives however much we want Him to be and that part is up to us. How much are we willing to allow God to be a part of our life? And as President Nelson said yesterday: Are we willing to let God prevail in our life?
I have started letting Elder Moss lead out in more of the lessons and allowing him to just feel that confidence and comfortability of teaching so that he can know that he is doing a good job, because he is. We go on walks everyday, and it has provided me with a lot of faith because everyday before leaving the apartment, I pray to have the faith that someone somewhere along our walks that day, will see us and want to come up and talk to us (since we aren't allowed to approach them). We have had a few experiences with that, and honestly I know that God has been part of that. Always remember: Focus on the things we CAN do, instead of the things we can't do.
The weather is starting to change. . . . "BIG TIME" as Grandpa McEwan would say! It feels so nice to be outside. I came up with a plan last week to completely sweep the area on calling and texting people. The idea of mine is called "COVID19 BLITZ", which means that we call up every single blue dot (a member) and every single yellow dot (a person with interest) in one part of the area each day. So one day we may only focus on Rittman city and call up the dots down there, whereas the next day we only do Hinkley members and people, etc etc. I have seen a great deal of success in doing it these last few days as we feel so much better that we are putting out these invitations and leaving our line "in the water" and allowing these people to grab hold of the bait and hopefully reach out to us again.
I really feel like a pioneer right now, and I'm so grateful for the experience I had with Salem Trek a couple summers ago and for everything that it taught me. I am learning not only that I can do really hard things when we don't have a whole lot to go off of as missionaries and don't know 60 to 70 percent of the ward members in person, but I'm also learning that as we pray for what tools and resources to help us out in the work of salvation, the Lord inspires our minds and helps us to know what tools are needed on what given day, and with what specific person and/or family (hence, COVID19 blitz 😊).
I am also learning how important it is to always keep our feet moving in a forward direction. Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to sprint the whole race of this life, he has said that this life isn't about perfection and that it's a marathon, not a sprint. But, something said yesterday in the afternoon session really hit strong for me, "If we want to feel successful in this life and if we want the constant guiding love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, as well as their spirit, then we must do everything we can to leave everything on the field everyday. This is the only chance we get at salvation and exaltation, so we have to make it count". I love that, because I feel that it sums up perfectly that if we desire to do our best and to make everyday count, that Heavenly Father will bless us with people and things who we can help and also who can help us. This is a TEAM EFFORT, and as such, Jesus Christ is the key player for which we always need to focus on and follow after His example, to be becoming all that we possibly can everyday, and . . . "Leaving our whole heart and soul, out on the field every day".
It is so crazy that Halloween is in 3 weeks, I feel like it was just the 4th of July! The days are getting chilly here, and the dark nighttime is coming around 6 or 6:30 pm everyday now. Crazy that I am entering my 2nd and final "winter season" on the mission. I feel like I was just in Chardon yesterday. I've been seeing things in my life lately, of how the Lord has prepared me for things He is asking me to do right now and going forward with being a missionary in this unique and exciting time of life. And so I wanted to extend the same invitation and challenge to each of you guys, that starting tomorrow morning when we all wake up, to write down on a piece of paper one thing that we want to strengthen in our life that day, and then tell it to Heavenly Father, and then GO TO WORK, put forth action to do what you want to do. 1 Nephi 3:7 states it perfectly, we must do our part, in order for Heaven to do it's part.
How is the weather in Salem right now?? maybe getting a little cold there too?? I'm excited for winter, I'm crossing my fingers that Ohio is nice to me again this year and that it isn't TOOOO bad of a winter and snowy season. Time will tell I guess.
I love you all forever and always!
Elder Dylan
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