I thought I had developed a lot of patience

Arrived May 4 2016

Love the fam more than the Dominican groups love their dominos. A group of about 8 male members, all middle age and older, get together every night to play dominos. They listen to Bachata music, half seriously yell at each other and make a ruckus slapping down their pieces. It is very funny to watch. I especially enjoy two of the oldest who practice their English. Somehow they know how to say "come here my love" "You like dance?" and "I want kiss you lips" It reminds me of where us Sheffield’s get our good looks, from Grandpa Sheffield.

 

P-dAY party and lunch with a family

This week we had a decent amount of rain here. One day we got trapped inside a clothing stall/store. People don’t let you leave out in the rain. It would be great for lessons if the rain didn’t make so much noise on the metal roofs. It’s always good weather though, the rain reminds me of living in Kansas and playing in the rain. 

We had our first district meeting, which was great. We have a pair of sister training leaders and then two other elders in the district. We get along great so far, and we have a good time. It is strange to be in charge of things, but at the same time it seems just like the usual. Tomorrow we have a big meeting for district leaders and president. Nobody has ever heard of a meeting like this so we are a little anxious. I’m excited to see my old district leader who is now assistant to the president. I respect all my leaders a lot more now. 

 

P-day party & lunch (my companion is in the middle)

It was an interesting week with investigators. It seemed like we had some pretty nice lessons but then many people weren’t able to continue for a few days. Momentum is important and it’s an uphill battle when you have to wait days in between lessons. One investigator Jonathan is very interested, he’s only has had the first lesson but after seeing general conference he is interested. His biggest obstacle is that his house adjoins a church that he attends, the members and pastor of the church don’t want him to investigate our church and he will certainly have to move if he even thinks about baptism. Dalenis and Dariluz are very good friends with our mission leader and his sister, yet they aren’t excited for church. They have lots of questions but are keeping them a secret. 

We have many members who want to help out, but right now we are in a finding kind of phase, since the investigators are having a hard time with lessons. The ex-Jehovah’s witness continues to show us to people as references. The interesting part is that they are all people that he preached to when he was a missionary for that church. A reference is a reference though, no complaints coming from Elder Sheffield! There is this one family of members where everyone but the grandfather is baptized. He just had surgery and can’t be out and about, so it made perfect timing for us to strike! :) I mean visit him. I think he pretends to not be interested but I feel like he secretly is. Watching the first vision movie got his full attention. Miguel is a little stubborn but I think we are making headway.

I thought I had developed a lot of patience these last ten months, however I have come to realize that patience means consistency and not just something you win all at once. It amazes me how quick the blessings come when we suck it up and just deal with things. We had one contact the other day that was amazing. I was stressed but when I forced myself to be positive the contact came naturally. The lady was staring at us and as we were looking for a member’s house I asked her for directions. As it turns out the member lived right next door and this lady was friends with a different member. She was really friendly and said we could pass by and she would also talk to her member friend about us. Blessed are those that are compelled to be humble, but even more blessed are those who are not compelled. Alma the younger knows his stuff. 

Shout-out to the models on the old 2013 Sunday School manual (I am one of them)

Spiritual thought comes from a few quotes: “To know even one life breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson (Mrs Easton would be proud) And 2 Thessalonians 3:13 “Be not weary in well doing”. I love to think about how every little action can compile until the world is changed. I don’t really think that we directly change the world because of the actions but we start to change. As we change, we then grow more capable and aware of the differences that we can make. We may only help others to breathe a little easier by our actions but we change and then we do better with the more pressing matters. I heard once that if Satan can just make us a little less good, a little less nicer etc. he will have accomplished his goal. Just as we do not fall with one stroke, we do not grow with just one good action. Do not be weary in well doing because every good action is measured and then returned back to us more fully. Its a slippery slop so slip the right direction. 

Love Elder Sheffield