Dear Family,
This week has been exciting as we had zone conference yesterday and are finding more and more families that are keeping their commitments. The zone conference yesterday was actually a mission conference because, as our mission is so small with only about 80 missionaries, we lately have had the mission meet together for the first 2 hours or so and then the 4 zones split up and we receive training from the zone leaders. It was a lot of fun and I actually learned a lot.
The theme was on contacting and how to receive regressos or addresses of people that we meet through different mediums. Elder Dawson and I had received assignment from the assistants about a week and a half before to give a 2 and a half minute talk about how to gain regressos. We thought about what to say during the week before and then prepared a little bit while riding on the train to the stake center near the temple, where the mission conferences are always held. It went well and I hope that what we said can be of some importance to the mission.
I continue to be impressed with the ability of almost all the missionaries to be leaders. The actual leadership of the mission is fantastic and is simply outstanding. They stand up there and talk about what needs to be done, what changes are going to be made, and how we can be more effective missionaries, all by the Spirit, and more impressively, all in perfect Spanish. It is amazing how they do it and they are great examples for me. It is said that the leaders of the mission, some of the zone leaders and assistants, cannot sin, that they are perfectly innocent. I am sure it is not true but they do do everything perfectly. I definitely have a lot to do to be like them.
This last week I have been trying to do some sort of part in my hair and yesterday I wore it to the conference. As you know with my stubborn hair, the traditional missionary part doesn´t work with me and yesterday proved that point for the 100th time. I really do like the way that it looks, especially as a missionary where you are socially allowed to pull it off, but when I do it the part is gigantic and it looks like it forms part of the Grand Canyon.
Last night as we were teaching Christian and Nina, the Romanian who has the strongest testimony of the Book of Mormon ever, just could not stop teasing me. He was cracking the funniest jokes and we were all laughing way hard, but I think that I got the hint that the part just isn´t for me, at least while my hair is longer. If I can do it when my hair is really short we will see what it is like, but for now my companion has banished me away from the gel, making it impossible to make any sort of part.
I am so excited for the temple in Payson. That is so neat! I love having the temple so close in our mission, making it possible (actually a mission rule) to go once every transfer. I have heard it in Spanish now and I actually understood almost all of it. The temple is a place that will always be a home away from home for me.
Before I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARI!!! Seven years old, holy cow! Way to go. It is crazy to think that she will only be 8 years old when I get back. I know that that is a long time away but it sure seems too close to me. I still remember that morning when dad woke us all up really early, saying that mom was going to give birth that day. I remember thinking how cool it was being in the hospital and how I wanted to cut the umbilical cord. That was a long time ago, but I was just twelve. And to think that a lot has happened since then and now I stand on Spanish soil preaching the doctrines of salvation to God´s children here. Crazy how time flies, and I certainly need to take advantage of every minute that I have here, before it is too late, and I am going home.
I think that your package will get here in time as I am optimistic that I will have a little bit longer before they give me the boot. But I hope that you can do a favour for me. I received a package from the McArthur´s today, and can you tell them thank you from me. I am horrible in writing letters on Preparation days because there really isn´t time. But can you say thank you so much and tell them that all of it will be greatly appreciated.
I also would appreciate if you could write the letters before 11:00 my time. So that means before 3:00 in the morning your time. The reason for this is because sometimes we start right off doing internet and I will be greatly depressed if I don´t receive your letters. This happened today but I was lucky that I didn´t get to finish all my time and I could still use the rest of my 45 minutes right now writing you. But sometimes it will not be so. Just FYI for the future.
I appreciate all of your prayers and if you could pray for our investigators I would appreciate it as well. They need more help than I do, but I am sure you are already doing that. Pray that we can find more people to teach and be baptized. There certainly is a reservoir of power that can be found in prayer. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Hey! And do you like the new Ensign? I love it. I looked at it the first time yesterday and I think that it is a wonder. I need to find more time to read it and soke in all of the wonderful spiritual guidance that can be found therein those inspired pages.
Thanks for all that you do for me and I hope that you know that I pray for all of you too, that you might receive more blessings from my service, as I try to do all I can to do what is right.
Have a great week and make it a goal to smile more often. Uncle P.W. gave me advice before the mission that everyday I have the choice to be happy or not. Happiness surely is a choice and we know what we have to do to get it. So let´s be happy everyday.
I pray that this might be so,
Love,
Rob
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
January 20, 2010
Dear family,
Thank you so much for all of the lovely letters from everyone. I love reading them and getting a whiff of your lives for a little bit every week. I especially loved the inspirational stories from mom and dad. Thank you very much. I want to start a little bit of writing down my priorities every day and I think it will at least focus my attention on the things that are most important.
This week has been good. Nothing great except for the fact that we are getting more people to accept baptismal challenges. We, right now, have 3 baptismal dates, for the near future. Unfortunately, only one is very, very dedicated to this date, and willing to work and sacrifice to complete with the commandment of the Lord. The other two, unfortunately, are not as driven. These people agreed to the challenge and invitation more on the basis that they would be baptized as soon as they received their answers. This would normally be just fantastic, as we know that everyone can receive an answer if they have faith, but these two men are not so willing to do what is required for the wanted answer. One of these men has a problem with his eyes, so he can´t even read. This poses a huge problem because he can´t even read the scriptures. He agreed mainly because he felt good during the lesson. We are working hard right now to focus ourselves on challenging people to act with faith, and to follow up on these invitations to help them feel accountable and in turn progress. Hopefully these people will feel the need to act and pray and get an answer, so that they can have the testimony and faith to be baptized and receive the blessings of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Elder Dawson and I are doing well. We are working hard and trying more and more to do things more efficiently so that we can get more done every day. Elder Dawson and I are not finding any problems with finding people to teach, as every week we receive about 20 addresses from people who have some amount of interest in hearing our message, but the problem is finding people who are ready to progress towards baptism and help people find these answers to prayers. We are teaching a lot too but the amount of investigators that we have that are progressing is very small. We are trying to adapt our lessons more to their lives and make the necessary changes to allow the Spirit of the Lord touch them in a way that will inspire them to make changes and be baptized.
Baptisms are a HUGE focus of the misión, as it should be, but more than I would have expected it. I believe that part of it is that the leaders here are trying to get missionaries over the idea that they can´t baptize in Spain, or that it is too hard to baptize here. I, fortunatly, did not come to Madrid with that thought. I knew that they Lord would bless me with success. But the focus is huge. We have a goal as a misión this year for every companionship to have one baptism every month. We are not going to have a baptism this month and we have 2 baptismal dates for February. I know that this goal was set by the Lord because He has enough people prepared to accomplish it. I just need to work harder and be more focused in this goal.
In terms of transfers and how long I am going to stay here, I have no idea. Transfers are every 6 weeks and the next one is February 7 I think. I think that the end of my time here is coming soon and it will be hard to leave. We never know what will happen but alter almost 5 months here, who knows how much longer. It could be at least 6 -9 weeks more. Hopefully it will be so.
The mission is changing a bunch right now and in the next couple of weeks, Word is that at least 4-5 areas are closing. The church isn´t sending very many missionaries to Spain as it did in the past, or at least to Madrid, and as a result, President Watkins is having to shut down many areas and use the missionaries only in those places that are needed most. It is sad and hard for many missionaries and especially members that really depend on the missionaries for their little branches. For example in Cuenca, the other two missionaries in our district work there and they count as 1 and 2 of the 15 people in attendance every week. They almost always help in the administration of the Sacrament as there are very few priesthood holders. It is similar but not to the same extent here in Aranjuez.
I did hear about Haiti, Mark, and I, too, think that it is sad. But this, as with the crisis, can have a huge impact on the work. People either want to believe in God more or begin to think that there is not one at all. I love having the peace of conscience that there is a God who loves all of His children and is always aware of their needs. Why He lets things happen like this, I can´t really say, but I do know that all things are done in the wisdom of Him who createth all things. I do trust in the peace of the Plan of Salvation during dificult times like these.
I love you all and thank you for your faith and prayers. Always remember that the prayers of the faithful are always heard and always answered.
Love,
Elder Driggs
Thank you so much for all of the lovely letters from everyone. I love reading them and getting a whiff of your lives for a little bit every week. I especially loved the inspirational stories from mom and dad. Thank you very much. I want to start a little bit of writing down my priorities every day and I think it will at least focus my attention on the things that are most important.
This week has been good. Nothing great except for the fact that we are getting more people to accept baptismal challenges. We, right now, have 3 baptismal dates, for the near future. Unfortunately, only one is very, very dedicated to this date, and willing to work and sacrifice to complete with the commandment of the Lord. The other two, unfortunately, are not as driven. These people agreed to the challenge and invitation more on the basis that they would be baptized as soon as they received their answers. This would normally be just fantastic, as we know that everyone can receive an answer if they have faith, but these two men are not so willing to do what is required for the wanted answer. One of these men has a problem with his eyes, so he can´t even read. This poses a huge problem because he can´t even read the scriptures. He agreed mainly because he felt good during the lesson. We are working hard right now to focus ourselves on challenging people to act with faith, and to follow up on these invitations to help them feel accountable and in turn progress. Hopefully these people will feel the need to act and pray and get an answer, so that they can have the testimony and faith to be baptized and receive the blessings of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Elder Dawson and I are doing well. We are working hard and trying more and more to do things more efficiently so that we can get more done every day. Elder Dawson and I are not finding any problems with finding people to teach, as every week we receive about 20 addresses from people who have some amount of interest in hearing our message, but the problem is finding people who are ready to progress towards baptism and help people find these answers to prayers. We are teaching a lot too but the amount of investigators that we have that are progressing is very small. We are trying to adapt our lessons more to their lives and make the necessary changes to allow the Spirit of the Lord touch them in a way that will inspire them to make changes and be baptized.
Baptisms are a HUGE focus of the misión, as it should be, but more than I would have expected it. I believe that part of it is that the leaders here are trying to get missionaries over the idea that they can´t baptize in Spain, or that it is too hard to baptize here. I, fortunatly, did not come to Madrid with that thought. I knew that they Lord would bless me with success. But the focus is huge. We have a goal as a misión this year for every companionship to have one baptism every month. We are not going to have a baptism this month and we have 2 baptismal dates for February. I know that this goal was set by the Lord because He has enough people prepared to accomplish it. I just need to work harder and be more focused in this goal.
In terms of transfers and how long I am going to stay here, I have no idea. Transfers are every 6 weeks and the next one is February 7 I think. I think that the end of my time here is coming soon and it will be hard to leave. We never know what will happen but alter almost 5 months here, who knows how much longer. It could be at least 6 -9 weeks more. Hopefully it will be so.
The mission is changing a bunch right now and in the next couple of weeks, Word is that at least 4-5 areas are closing. The church isn´t sending very many missionaries to Spain as it did in the past, or at least to Madrid, and as a result, President Watkins is having to shut down many areas and use the missionaries only in those places that are needed most. It is sad and hard for many missionaries and especially members that really depend on the missionaries for their little branches. For example in Cuenca, the other two missionaries in our district work there and they count as 1 and 2 of the 15 people in attendance every week. They almost always help in the administration of the Sacrament as there are very few priesthood holders. It is similar but not to the same extent here in Aranjuez.
I did hear about Haiti, Mark, and I, too, think that it is sad. But this, as with the crisis, can have a huge impact on the work. People either want to believe in God more or begin to think that there is not one at all. I love having the peace of conscience that there is a God who loves all of His children and is always aware of their needs. Why He lets things happen like this, I can´t really say, but I do know that all things are done in the wisdom of Him who createth all things. I do trust in the peace of the Plan of Salvation during dificult times like these.
I love you all and thank you for your faith and prayers. Always remember that the prayers of the faithful are always heard and always answered.
Love,
Elder Driggs
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
January 13, 2010
Dear Family,
I apologize for these short letters that I keep sending. Last week we did not have much time and this week I also wrote a letter to Cami (thanks for the reminder mom, it had been a while). I wrote Cami today in the train, I have been trying to find time wherever I can to write some people, because we never have any time in the piso to write anyone. So I will send that letter off tomorrow and Mike, her counselor, already wrote back saying he got it and will give it to her. So that´s great!
Sounds like the ward conference went well. I loved the insight on the parable of the ten virgins. I am sure that that will come in handy some time.
I have spoken in church 2 times in the past 3 weeks. Both times on the topic of missionary work, a classic topic as a missionary. I am realizing that I need to do more to study the language. I am understandable and can talk to anyone and understand almost everything, but my grammar and vocabulary aren´t the best. I really need to crank down on the hour of study that I have every day and just make the most of it.
Lately I have been realizing the obvious, how weak I am. I set goals every weak and it is so hard to do them. In theory, being a perfect missionary is easy, you just do it. But when it comes to diligent action every minute of the day, it is soooo hard. I am not depressed or anything, but I am just realizing that I lack a lot from being the missionary I hope to be at the end of the mission.
I am also realizing that to be a great missionary, you have to have the ability that no man is born with, and every women thrives on, that is, the ability to multi-task. I just can´t do it. I just have to get in the habit of moving fast every day so that I can not waste one single minute that is needed to do something. In the morning I have to hurry and exercise, get ready, eat and start studying. Medio Día I have to eat and study Spanish for 30 minutes, and when we get home, we have to plan and then hit the sack. There is no time to do the area book, clean my desk, or write in my journal. The journal isn´t something required but it is something that I want to do and have after I am done.
These are just examples of things that regular time doesn´t allow, but are needed to be done, during other times of the day. Also known as the need to multi-task. I am trying to do this and am getting better but still am far away from where I should be. It is a process just like everything else in life, and I am glad for the opportunity to focus on the most important things right now and hopefully form some habits that will benefit my life forever. The hard part about the process is that it is very slow. But it works and the Lord will make me into the instrument He wants me to be if I let Him, and observe to do according to all the law and turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, in other words be strictly obedient in all things.
The blessing are waiting and I just have to do it all. It is hard that I can´t just focus on one thing as a missionary, because all the things that I have to do are important and I have to do them all, or the area suffers, people don´t progress, or I am not happy. I just have to put my shoulder to the wheel, forget myself, and carry on. You can be assured that I shall do my duty and do my best out here. I love the work and surely there is nothing betting than representing Jesus Christ and proclaiming His gospel on a full time basis.
Thank you for your love, thought, and prayers. They are much appreciated.
Love,
Elder Driggs.
I apologize for these short letters that I keep sending. Last week we did not have much time and this week I also wrote a letter to Cami (thanks for the reminder mom, it had been a while). I wrote Cami today in the train, I have been trying to find time wherever I can to write some people, because we never have any time in the piso to write anyone. So I will send that letter off tomorrow and Mike, her counselor, already wrote back saying he got it and will give it to her. So that´s great!
Sounds like the ward conference went well. I loved the insight on the parable of the ten virgins. I am sure that that will come in handy some time.
I have spoken in church 2 times in the past 3 weeks. Both times on the topic of missionary work, a classic topic as a missionary. I am realizing that I need to do more to study the language. I am understandable and can talk to anyone and understand almost everything, but my grammar and vocabulary aren´t the best. I really need to crank down on the hour of study that I have every day and just make the most of it.
Lately I have been realizing the obvious, how weak I am. I set goals every weak and it is so hard to do them. In theory, being a perfect missionary is easy, you just do it. But when it comes to diligent action every minute of the day, it is soooo hard. I am not depressed or anything, but I am just realizing that I lack a lot from being the missionary I hope to be at the end of the mission.
I am also realizing that to be a great missionary, you have to have the ability that no man is born with, and every women thrives on, that is, the ability to multi-task. I just can´t do it. I just have to get in the habit of moving fast every day so that I can not waste one single minute that is needed to do something. In the morning I have to hurry and exercise, get ready, eat and start studying. Medio Día I have to eat and study Spanish for 30 minutes, and when we get home, we have to plan and then hit the sack. There is no time to do the area book, clean my desk, or write in my journal. The journal isn´t something required but it is something that I want to do and have after I am done.
These are just examples of things that regular time doesn´t allow, but are needed to be done, during other times of the day. Also known as the need to multi-task. I am trying to do this and am getting better but still am far away from where I should be. It is a process just like everything else in life, and I am glad for the opportunity to focus on the most important things right now and hopefully form some habits that will benefit my life forever. The hard part about the process is that it is very slow. But it works and the Lord will make me into the instrument He wants me to be if I let Him, and observe to do according to all the law and turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, in other words be strictly obedient in all things.
The blessing are waiting and I just have to do it all. It is hard that I can´t just focus on one thing as a missionary, because all the things that I have to do are important and I have to do them all, or the area suffers, people don´t progress, or I am not happy. I just have to put my shoulder to the wheel, forget myself, and carry on. You can be assured that I shall do my duty and do my best out here. I love the work and surely there is nothing betting than representing Jesus Christ and proclaiming His gospel on a full time basis.
Thank you for your love, thought, and prayers. They are much appreciated.
Love,
Elder Driggs.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
January 7, 2010
Hello family,
I would like to assure you that I did not forget to write you this week. It is just that yesterday, the sixth, there is a holiday here in Spain called, Los Reyes Magos, where it is like Christmas and the children get presents from the kings or wise men that come to every house. The Spaniards celebrate this one a little bit more than Christmas as it is an original holiday, and Christmas is an American, as they say. So with this holiday being on our normal preparation day Wednesday, the mission made a change to have us work on Wednesday, as it was a national holiday and a lot of families were home, and have today be our preparation day. Cool huh!
I loved Los Reyes, the holiday. There were parades all around the country where every one in the parade would throw candy out into the public. That actually was all they did. The people in the parade would throw candy and everyone would try to catch as much as possible. We were in Valdemoro, one of our pueblos, that is actually very city like, while this parade went by. Let me just say it was like a goldmine. Every single family that lived in Valdemoro was out in the street with all of their felatives having a great time. I loved it. We caught some candy and contacted 12 families afterwards. Hopefully, we can teach a lot of them.
Here is the newsletter mom.
Newsletter
Well this Christmas and new year season has been wonderful. I love the feeling I get as I celebrate these more common holidays, along with a couple other uncommon ones, in a country very far away from the U.S. I love being in a country where every country of South America is represented. It was especially different as I was walking home on new Years Eve with huge fireworks whistling and bursting through the streets. If these had been the normal fireworks that we are accustomed to in Utah, (if you remember, the ones that don´t shoot in the air, have no power, no risk, nearly no sound, and are in simpler terms….no fun), then it wouldn´t have been a problem. But as my companion and I were walking home this cloudy, drizzly New Year´s Eve, the memories of all of those WWII movies came quickly to mind, and I felt as if I was in the middle of a historic battle where there were grenades going off every 2 minutes. These Fireworks really are that bad or good, however you want to look at it. And as people never go to bed on this crazy night of the year, it was a little rough going to bed as the sound of machine guns and explosions were clearly heard from within our room, into the wee hours of the morning.
As we start a new year in the service of our common Savior, I would like to share with you one of my favorite Christmas quotes, that I hope will bring you gladness, courage, desire and hope for a brighter and even better year. Short and simply it has been said; ¨WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!¨
I hope and pray that all of us will seek the will of our Father in Heaven and our Perfect Savior Jesus Christ, as we labor this last time in His ripe vineyard. May we always be wise and learn to come to know a little bit better this year, the Messiah.
I am sorry that this week is a little short, we have to run to a lesson and catch a bus and train. Thank you for the birthday wishes, and I feel your love. I know I am in the right place trying to do the right things, and I love it. I hope you all are doing and feeling the same.
I love you all and pray for you often.
Love,
Elder Driggs
Have the best week ever, and feliz año nuevo!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
December 30, 2009
Dear Family,
I would just like to thank you for the wonderful opportunity it was to talk to you on Christmas day. It was so enjoyable to hear 4 wonderfully familiar voices…and one not so familiar. I was very surprised and laughed a lot to hear that my sweet, little brother Mark ¨Hit PUBERTY!¨ HAHA, oh the things that I am missing, haha. Well, other than having a huge, hairy, ape living in your house, it sounds like things are pretty…normal, so that´s good.
As for the gingerbread house, I loved it. We took it over with us on Christmas day, but did not have time to do it. So we went back on Sunday to have lunch with them, after which we had a splendid time, celebrating Christmas with them, in a different way. They loved it. Gina, Naomi, Romina, and Sammy (a recent convert from Peru who got baptized about 10 months ago) all helped me get the frosting made, and melt the sugar. It was very fun, and when we actually starting frosting the house and putting the candy on, the girls were so happy. They thought it was the coolest thing ever, using American candy (eating it as well) to decorate a gingerbread house. Before we had to leave, Gina said the house was so cute, when I kept having the thought that it was incomparable to the houses that we make at home. It´s okay though, they just don´t have the practice yet, not to mention that the girls basically did all of it. They also loved the chocolate rocks. So thank you for that wonderful idea. I had a fantastic time with it!
Nothing is really new. Don´t worry about me and Elder Dawson, it is a change, because, as I am noticing more and more, Elder Carr was an excellent missionary. He had a special love in everything he did, whether it be talking to someone in the street, interacting with the members, or just us talking between each other. He had a love for Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father that transferred to every facet of the work. He was an incredible example to me, and has shaped the way that I work and love everyone I come into contact. One thing that I loved is that he always smiled when we were talking to people. I loved it.
Before I leave, I want to tell you that I had a very spiritual experience last night. First, I have been praying a lot lately to have the discernment and spiritual intonation, I guess you could say, to communicate the exact words and the Holy Ghost that can help people keep commitments that will bring about repentance and baptism. Last night, I finally recognized that I can do it. I can rely on the Holy Ghost and do all of the above.
Obviously it is not me in any of this, because my overall goal, is to employ the Holy Ghost to touch the hearts of the people we teach. But I received a confirmation last night that I can have confidence and trust in the promptings of the Spirit, and He can touch their hearts. I love being worthy to have this gift, where I can really just focus on the needs of the investigators, and let my love for them, and faith in the Holy Ghost, speak the words necessary for them at the time. I definitely am not there, but I realized and received the spiritual confirmation that it is happening. This has been a hard process for me, learning how to feel the promptings, and how to react to them. I have just begun and still have a lot to go. But I love it.
So the experience, was talking to a man of 45, with whom we have had a lot of lessons with and he was telling us, basically, that his life was so bad right now that he did not want to meet with us during the week because he can´t give us the mental attention that the subject requires. I understood because his life is really complicated right now, but after listening for 15 minutes of him telling us that he just wanted to come to church and not commit himself to doing a lot during the week. He said that every time he gets close to the Lord, by doing what his right, his life gets worse. I could tell that this was a sign that the Devil is fighting for him not to join the church, but he did not have that perspective yet.
After listening I told him that this was the time in his life that he needed Jesus Christ and His church the most. We read Ether 12:27, and invited him to prepare to be baptized so that he could really focus on getting an answer. He agreed that if he received an answer he would be baptized, and said that he would keep his commitments, having faith that they would lead him to getting an answer. He believes the Book of Mormon is true and that should be enough, but he wants more. We shall handle that later.
I love you all, I did not do justice to the story, but it was a great moment, and am working hard to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost always, so I can have more experiences as such.
I love you sooo much!!! And have the best week ever.
Quote of the week…a man (or women) never stands taller than when he is on his knees.
Love,
Elder Driggs
I would just like to thank you for the wonderful opportunity it was to talk to you on Christmas day. It was so enjoyable to hear 4 wonderfully familiar voices…and one not so familiar. I was very surprised and laughed a lot to hear that my sweet, little brother Mark ¨Hit PUBERTY!¨ HAHA, oh the things that I am missing, haha. Well, other than having a huge, hairy, ape living in your house, it sounds like things are pretty…normal, so that´s good.
As for the gingerbread house, I loved it. We took it over with us on Christmas day, but did not have time to do it. So we went back on Sunday to have lunch with them, after which we had a splendid time, celebrating Christmas with them, in a different way. They loved it. Gina, Naomi, Romina, and Sammy (a recent convert from Peru who got baptized about 10 months ago) all helped me get the frosting made, and melt the sugar. It was very fun, and when we actually starting frosting the house and putting the candy on, the girls were so happy. They thought it was the coolest thing ever, using American candy (eating it as well) to decorate a gingerbread house. Before we had to leave, Gina said the house was so cute, when I kept having the thought that it was incomparable to the houses that we make at home. It´s okay though, they just don´t have the practice yet, not to mention that the girls basically did all of it. They also loved the chocolate rocks. So thank you for that wonderful idea. I had a fantastic time with it!
Nothing is really new. Don´t worry about me and Elder Dawson, it is a change, because, as I am noticing more and more, Elder Carr was an excellent missionary. He had a special love in everything he did, whether it be talking to someone in the street, interacting with the members, or just us talking between each other. He had a love for Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father that transferred to every facet of the work. He was an incredible example to me, and has shaped the way that I work and love everyone I come into contact. One thing that I loved is that he always smiled when we were talking to people. I loved it.
Before I leave, I want to tell you that I had a very spiritual experience last night. First, I have been praying a lot lately to have the discernment and spiritual intonation, I guess you could say, to communicate the exact words and the Holy Ghost that can help people keep commitments that will bring about repentance and baptism. Last night, I finally recognized that I can do it. I can rely on the Holy Ghost and do all of the above.
Obviously it is not me in any of this, because my overall goal, is to employ the Holy Ghost to touch the hearts of the people we teach. But I received a confirmation last night that I can have confidence and trust in the promptings of the Spirit, and He can touch their hearts. I love being worthy to have this gift, where I can really just focus on the needs of the investigators, and let my love for them, and faith in the Holy Ghost, speak the words necessary for them at the time. I definitely am not there, but I realized and received the spiritual confirmation that it is happening. This has been a hard process for me, learning how to feel the promptings, and how to react to them. I have just begun and still have a lot to go. But I love it.
So the experience, was talking to a man of 45, with whom we have had a lot of lessons with and he was telling us, basically, that his life was so bad right now that he did not want to meet with us during the week because he can´t give us the mental attention that the subject requires. I understood because his life is really complicated right now, but after listening for 15 minutes of him telling us that he just wanted to come to church and not commit himself to doing a lot during the week. He said that every time he gets close to the Lord, by doing what his right, his life gets worse. I could tell that this was a sign that the Devil is fighting for him not to join the church, but he did not have that perspective yet.
After listening I told him that this was the time in his life that he needed Jesus Christ and His church the most. We read Ether 12:27, and invited him to prepare to be baptized so that he could really focus on getting an answer. He agreed that if he received an answer he would be baptized, and said that he would keep his commitments, having faith that they would lead him to getting an answer. He believes the Book of Mormon is true and that should be enough, but he wants more. We shall handle that later.
I love you all, I did not do justice to the story, but it was a great moment, and am working hard to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost always, so I can have more experiences as such.
I love you sooo much!!! And have the best week ever.
Quote of the week…a man (or women) never stands taller than when he is on his knees.
Love,
Elder Driggs
December 23, 2009
Dearest Family Ever,
Mother dear, thank you so much for the package. I love the pajama bottoms, the toffee, and oh my goodness, the gingerbread houses!!! That is such a great idea, and I think that we are going to bring them over to Ronny and Gina´s house for Christmas dinner.
I am having a great week. I am just on a rocket heading straight up. I am improving more and more in contacts and lessons, and Elder Dawson and I are great friends.
One exciting experience this week was yesterday when we had our Christmas combined Zone conference. All 4 Zones combined and we had a mission conference, zone conference, Christmas lunch with tons of ham, and Christmas talent show. They said that they caught the whole talent show on film so maybe in the future I could snag a copy for you. During the mission conference in the beginning, which lasted about an hour and a half, they had some time in the end that they wanted to call a few companionships up to talk about missionary principles.
Even before they called my name, I knew I was going to be called. I just had a feeling that the call had come. I was number three of the first group of three. They had about 3 groups of 3 go up. I think. My topic was, how to help investigators keep commitments that will help lead them to baptism. I don´t remember what I said, but without any time to prepare, let´s just say that it was a good experience. It would not have been a big deal, normally, but since President Watkins has been Mission President, we have had rule that we have all meeting in Spanish. That means district, zone meetings, etc. So I can basically understand perfectly all most everyone in Spanish, but thinking clearly and communicated my thoughts perfectly is still a little rough. I think we did well, but it was weird as Elder Dawson has a different teaching style than Elder Carr and we have only been together about 2 weeks or so.
The talent show was fun. I played the guitar to an Enrique Inglesias song called Hero. It was a little rough as I have played the guitar 3 times I think as I have been on the mission. Two times at a members house for 5 minutes and once at Ronny and Gina´s. All of them amounting up to no practice at all. It was a shot in the dark but we worked it out. Elder Carr and I had planned on doing this but when he was transferred I was a little unsure if it was still on. I was excited to get the call that he wanted to move forward and we welcomed 3 more members to the lonesome band.
We sang the hero song, Kiss the Girl, and the Lion King in the Jungle song. We changed to words to missionary appropriate lyrics, making the choruses hysterical. It was a lot of fun. Just so you don´t worry the Kiss the girl song was switched to ¨Go on and Contact her.¨ Don´t worry, I am doing just fine. Our mission is very talented. I am very impressed.
Well I have to sign off. Elder Dawson is waiting. I love you all very much, and I will talk to you Friday at 9:00 your time. I love you.
Love ,
Rob
Mother dear, thank you so much for the package. I love the pajama bottoms, the toffee, and oh my goodness, the gingerbread houses!!! That is such a great idea, and I think that we are going to bring them over to Ronny and Gina´s house for Christmas dinner.
I am having a great week. I am just on a rocket heading straight up. I am improving more and more in contacts and lessons, and Elder Dawson and I are great friends.
One exciting experience this week was yesterday when we had our Christmas combined Zone conference. All 4 Zones combined and we had a mission conference, zone conference, Christmas lunch with tons of ham, and Christmas talent show. They said that they caught the whole talent show on film so maybe in the future I could snag a copy for you. During the mission conference in the beginning, which lasted about an hour and a half, they had some time in the end that they wanted to call a few companionships up to talk about missionary principles.
Even before they called my name, I knew I was going to be called. I just had a feeling that the call had come. I was number three of the first group of three. They had about 3 groups of 3 go up. I think. My topic was, how to help investigators keep commitments that will help lead them to baptism. I don´t remember what I said, but without any time to prepare, let´s just say that it was a good experience. It would not have been a big deal, normally, but since President Watkins has been Mission President, we have had rule that we have all meeting in Spanish. That means district, zone meetings, etc. So I can basically understand perfectly all most everyone in Spanish, but thinking clearly and communicated my thoughts perfectly is still a little rough. I think we did well, but it was weird as Elder Dawson has a different teaching style than Elder Carr and we have only been together about 2 weeks or so.
The talent show was fun. I played the guitar to an Enrique Inglesias song called Hero. It was a little rough as I have played the guitar 3 times I think as I have been on the mission. Two times at a members house for 5 minutes and once at Ronny and Gina´s. All of them amounting up to no practice at all. It was a shot in the dark but we worked it out. Elder Carr and I had planned on doing this but when he was transferred I was a little unsure if it was still on. I was excited to get the call that he wanted to move forward and we welcomed 3 more members to the lonesome band.
We sang the hero song, Kiss the Girl, and the Lion King in the Jungle song. We changed to words to missionary appropriate lyrics, making the choruses hysterical. It was a lot of fun. Just so you don´t worry the Kiss the girl song was switched to ¨Go on and Contact her.¨ Don´t worry, I am doing just fine. Our mission is very talented. I am very impressed.
Well I have to sign off. Elder Dawson is waiting. I love you all very much, and I will talk to you Friday at 9:00 your time. I love you.
Love ,
Rob
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