Hello everyone!
It was another hard week, but I think we had some improvements over the one
preceding it. One funny thing is how often the name "Elder Wallentine" gets
butchered completely when you're talking with German teachers and missionaries.
For the next two years, I will go by any of the following:
Elder Wallentine
Elder Valentine
Elder Valenteen
Elder Vollenteeen
Elder Walleyworld
At first I tried to correct people but I've accepted my fate. You know,
Elder Vollenteen is actually starting to grow on me.
There have been things that I've found to be easier, and harder, about a
mission so far. Honestly, it hasn't been super hard to be separated from things
like TV, video games, movies, blah blah blah. I'm really glad that I spent the
last year reducing the amount of time I spent doing those because I think that's
helped me not really care. Also, I kind of forced myself to because I got super
busy with school, but anyways. I do miss movies a bit, though. On the other
hand, while I knew I would be homesick, I didn't really expect it to hit me as
hard as it did. I'm overcoming it but at some points it felt really bad. And
as you probably know, being involved with a district has been a lot harder than
I ever expected.
In terms of the language:
German has been coming along. I haven't felt as much progress as I did
through the start, but we've finished going over the cases for German. (As far
as I know, there are four German cases: Nominative, Accusative, Dative, and
Genitive). I'm not used to them yet but I think I'll gradually be able to get
better at using them.
People tell me that they're worried because I'm "always studying" but I
don't know, I'm not worried. It helps me to get over homesickness, and it's
kind of fun.
My companion and I taught about the Restoration in German this week and
that was really cool. We were able to understand our "investigator" really well
and I didn't have a moment where I forgot what to say completely. We felt the
spirit really well, and that was an encouragement for us. But we also had
another lesson that completely fell apart because there's another "investigator"
that talks really fast and uses tons of words completely unfamiliar to us.
I lost my German dictionary, too! That's a bit frustrating. I left it in
my classroom and I think it must've been taken, or something. I might have to
buy a new one.
But I've been working really hard to memorize more vocabulary words and
it's coming along. I've also memorized D&C 84:88, the First Vision, Moroni
10:6, Alma 7:9, our missionary purpose in German, and have started D&C 4.
District Stuff
Actually, my companionship has been going pretty fantastic We get along
with each other pretty well, not to mention that I've found a compromise with
him so I can get my runs in. Every day this week we've gone to the gym, and
while he plays basketball I'm allowed to run on a track in another room. I've
been running 2-4 miles per day, doing 75-100 push-ups and sit-ups, and then
lifting some weights in my free time to exercise. It's been nice, but also out
of necessity because they feed us so much, haha! The food is...generally good.
I had a pretty bad hamburger the other day though. But yeah, other than that, I
don't mind it at all! Back on track, my companion and I have found our rhythm I
think and as of now, it's going well.
Aside from my companionship improvement, there's been a bit of
improvement with the other two Elders in my district. We were having a lot of
problems with them making a lot of noise in the class and disrupting the peace
and often times spirit last week, enough to where I had to call a district
meeting where we made it clear what the purpose of the classroom was. They like
playing games in the classroom, and each game involves making a lot of noise.
They've been told to stop by multiple teachers, and I by myself feel as though
I've completely lost respect from them due to my efforts to end rowdiness in the
class. The district meeting helped for a time because the sisters were saying
it was hard for them to concentrate, and when the sisters get on board
that's really the only time they listen.
Aside from continued airs of contention, this week was greatly improved
from last week because of the support I've received. I'd like to thank everyone
in my family for sending me letters with counsel, and sending the package of
food to me! And I thank all my friends so much for the also-supportive letters
they've sent me. I've honestly felt so embraced by you guys this week and I
thank you all so much!
I've also received a lot of support here. I have two teachers, Sister Ahlm
and Brother Alliston, who pulled me aside several times this week to see how I
was doing. I let them know of the situation, and there were many times where I
felt I was in the wrong, because I felt as though I could have possibly been too
"controlling". But my teachers were consistently there to encourage me and lift
me up, and tell me that what I've been doing has been right. That eased my
conscience and burdens a lot, I think. And my zone leaders have been checking
up on me, and I've met another District Leader, Elder Winder, who feels as
though he's been in the same situation as I have been.
Most importantly, I've felt the support of heaven lifting me up as I go
about each day. My mission scripture, D&C 84:88, promises angels to be
round about me, to bear me up, and I have continued to feel this throughout my
days here. It's enabled me to have motivation and energy each time I wake up,
and not be afraid to stand up for myself.
I'm writing an epistle here, I'm sorry. GOSPEL STUFF.
I've been studying a lot of the Book of Mormon, of course, as well as have
begun re-reading the New Testament, and started Jesus the Christ. I can feel my
testimony and love for Christ increasing as I continue through these and it's
really wonderful. I am praying that I will be able to have an ever-increasing
love for the Savior and what He has done for all of us, and I hope to be blessed
with it.
By the way, Elder Bednar came last Sunday and had a Q & A session! It
was awesome! He taught a ton about the charity and pure love of Christ and I
felt the spirit so strongly!
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and I have so much
faith in His Atonement. I know that through Jesus Christ and His infinite
Atonement, we can be entirely cleansed from sin and become eligible to once more
live with Him, Heavenly Father, and those that we love. I know that the Book of
Mormon is true. I love its simplicity, and its simultaneous complexity. I know
that you are being watched out for, both by those who love and surround you even
if you may occasionally feel otherwise, as well and those watching over you
above.
This concludes my novel. I'll try to shorten these.
I love you all!
Elder Wallentine
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