Hello Family and friends!
This was a long week! A lot of good and a few challenges. First of all, this isn't the YSA ward! sacrament meeting yesterday was so dang loud! i'll forever miss the reverence of the YSA Ward. the work here is much different as well. it's residential areas.. much more .... old! It's a good thing though- I have some growing up to do so being around all these fogies will propel my aging. haha let's get to the questions this week!
WHAT IS YOUR NEW ADDRESS?
so 3640 Hummingbird Dr Reno NV is the address i'll be moving into in two weeks. right now i'm in a 1 bedroom apartment with my companion and another set of missionaries who cover the same ward as us ( the ward is split!) it's a complete riot all the time- enjoying it while it lasts but definitely looking forward to some privacy in a couple weeks! as for sending stuff- the mission office will suffice because i don't know the address of the apt we are staying in and we have to go to the office once a week anyway to pick up supplies!
WHO IS THIS NEW COMP?
Elder Padilla! he's my homie for life!!! we got our mission calls on the same day back in UT- somebody linked us up on facebook and we talked on there before the mission. he's been out a transfer less than i have but he's a super obedient missionary and he's so fun. I'm learning spanish from him and we are just working hard and becoming better friends every day! couldn't be more excited about serving with him- first time i've felt equally yoked in a companionship whilst maintaining a great friendship. every day is a goo day!
DID YOUR ZL DUTIES CHANGE? IF SO HOW?
Duties stayed the same, the zone just grew a ton! E. Padilla's zone and my old zone just became one zone. he's been a ZL for 2 transfers and i've only been for 1 transfer so we're pretty new, but we both served with excellent missionaries before this so we're putting what we've learned together and just doing everything we can to help.
WHAT SCRIPTURES GOT YOU EXCITED THIS WEEK?
DC 123: 17 - It's one that is quoted quite a bit but it has stuck out to me this week. As a missionary we have so many resources to help us be more effective. I was preparing a talk for zone conference ( tomorrow) and the topic assigned was using PMG dvd's to accomplish our purpose- and the idea that so strongly stuck out to me was just using the resources we've been given- every one of them, being completely diligent- is what the Lord expects of his servants and that scripture really motivates me to cheerfully do everything i can- that means everything!
HOW DID YOU APPLY THE HEALING OF CHRISTS ATONEMENT THIS WEEK?
We had an interesting experience this week and i think it applies well. We had a missionary in our zone call us and tell us he's done with the mission. he felt like he shouldn't be out here because of inadequecis ( ? spelled that wrong ) and other short comings. adversarial forces really get this kid down and whether he is mentally capable of controlling them or not, he wasn't recognizing that those thoughts were coming from the adversary. We had him come to our apartment so we could chat with him before he packed up. In our conversation the topic that the spirit kept bringing us back to was the origin of those negative thoughts. we emphasized it many times but the negativity seemed to persist and inhibit his ability to feel the spirit. We committed him to recognize where the negativity comes from and ask heavenly father to give him the proper perspective. We talked about how a diligent effort makes all the difference in the word- if this is the avenue by which he can overcome the hardships than the adversary is going to instill even more negativity in his mind to try and deter him from seeking heavens help. we talked about this and at first didn't seem like we were gaining any ground. He hesitantly accepted our invitation to consider where those thoughts come from, and to ask for help. we followed up with him the following days and his demeanor and attitude has done a 180. not to say things couldn't change or that we played a part in changing him- 100% the Lord working through us ( He calls men in their weakness but QUALIFIES them for the work ) This missionary has experienced extreme ebbs and flows his whole mission and we aren't sure he has the stability to stick around- But t through the experience trying to help that missionary, The Lord taught me a valuable lesson. Positive thoughts come from God and negative thoughts come from the adversary. Since the time of our conversation I have had strong impressions and guidance, allowing me to recognize the fiery darts ( if you will) and have the strength to overcome them myself. it takes that awareneness- Understanding where these thoughts and impressions come from- to recognize them when they occur and do what the Lord expects us to do with the knowledge we've been given, and that's simply to make the right choices! I'm not sure what will happen with that missionary- He seems to be doing much better- but that lesson won't be lost on me.This was a long week! A lot of good and a few challenges. First of all, this isn't the YSA ward! sacrament meeting yesterday was so dang loud! i'll forever miss the reverence of the YSA Ward. the work here is much different as well. it's residential areas.. much more .... old! It's a good thing though- I have some growing up to do so being around all these fogies will propel my aging. haha let's get to the questions this week!
WHAT IS YOUR NEW ADDRESS?
so 3640 Hummingbird Dr Reno NV is the address i'll be moving into in two weeks. right now i'm in a 1 bedroom apartment with my companion and another set of missionaries who cover the same ward as us ( the ward is split!) it's a complete riot all the time- enjoying it while it lasts but definitely looking forward to some privacy in a couple weeks! as for sending stuff- the mission office will suffice because i don't know the address of the apt we are staying in and we have to go to the office once a week anyway to pick up supplies!
WHO IS THIS NEW COMP?
Elder Padilla! he's my homie for life!!! we got our mission calls on the same day back in UT- somebody linked us up on facebook and we talked on there before the mission. he's been out a transfer less than i have but he's a super obedient missionary and he's so fun. I'm learning spanish from him and we are just working hard and becoming better friends every day! couldn't be more excited about serving with him- first time i've felt equally yoked in a companionship whilst maintaining a great friendship. every day is a goo day!
DID YOUR ZL DUTIES CHANGE? IF SO HOW?
Duties stayed the same, the zone just grew a ton! E. Padilla's zone and my old zone just became one zone. he's been a ZL for 2 transfers and i've only been for 1 transfer so we're pretty new, but we both served with excellent missionaries before this so we're putting what we've learned together and just doing everything we can to help.
WHAT SCRIPTURES GOT YOU EXCITED THIS WEEK?
DC 123: 17 - It's one that is quoted quite a bit but it has stuck out to me this week. As a missionary we have so many resources to help us be more effective. I was preparing a talk for zone conference ( tomorrow) and the topic assigned was using PMG dvd's to accomplish our purpose- and the idea that so strongly stuck out to me was just using the resources we've been given- every one of them, being completely diligent- is what the Lord expects of his servants and that scripture really motivates me to cheerfully do everything i can- that means everything!
HOW DID YOU APPLY THE HEALING OF CHRISTS ATONEMENT THIS WEEK?
WHO DID YOU TEACH?
HOW IS THE NEW MISSION LEADER?
Such a good guy! we have to email almost 20 miles from our house so instead of using proselyting miles he just drives us around all pday. he's retired and just sees the vision of the work hastening. I'm super excited to work with him!
HOW BIG IS YOUR WARD?
pretty big in terms of membership. we have 150+ inactive members and effecting last tuesday ( when i got here) they split the area. there are now two companioships covering the same ward. they are in a walking area and it's far too small, and we have a huge area and it's too big. the dynamic is a bit of a challenge and we're going to talk to our mission president tomrrow about reaaranging the boundaries. but it's a good ward! just so different!
ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH MORE THAN ONE WARD?
HOW BIG IS YOUR WARD?
pretty big in terms of membership. we have 150+ inactive members and effecting last tuesday ( when i got here) they split the area. there are now two companioships covering the same ward. they are in a walking area and it's far too small, and we have a huge area and it's too big. the dynamic is a bit of a challenge and we're going to talk to our mission president tomrrow about reaaranging the boundaries. but it's a good ward! just so different!
ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH MORE THAN ONE WARD?
nope- just the cold springs ward!
DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING REALLY CRAZY HAPPEN THIS TRANSFER?
I'm out of time this week but remind me to answer this question- We had something so crazy happen with a guy we talked to on the street last transfer. ask again and i'll answer it when i have more time! :)
Welp good people. This was a long one, hopefully you don't all fall asleep while reading! I'm so grateful for the love and support you all show me and i hope and pray things are going well for all of you! We have to get going- The other elders are going suit shopping! H&M here we come. Love you all! have the best week.
Elder Sykes
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