Week 101: In which Roxana presses forward, I look backward, and the time presses on.

1
(written 30 Apr 2018)

Hello, friends and family! This has been a very eventful, intense, interesting, and revelation-filled week. 

Roxana is doing pretty well. Things are starting to get intense. She is still living with Eladio, and while she wants to kick him out, there is a complicated situation going on that might cause some difficulty if she were to do so. At this point, she could do it, she just lacks the faith to do so. What makes things extra interesting is that she is trying to prepare to be baptized this Saturday. In a different situation, we would usually just move the date back and not worry about it. In fact, we were almost planning on it last week, until something crazy happened.

We went to the Temple this last week, and while we were there, we wanted to know what to do about Roxana's situation. To be honest, I kind of wanted to move the date back, since I don't want to pressure her (especially since she and I and everyone else knows that is the last opportunity I would have to be there). I wanted to be sure we did what God wants us to do. Well, we fasted about it, and we all got the same answer: we should NOT move the date. In fact, we needed to be bold and invite her to have faith and live the commandments, even though it's really scary for her right now. We all felt very strongly that was what was necessary. Since we felt so strongly that we should not move the date, we are pressing forward, even though things are still cloudy and the situation is (as far as we know, as of yet) unresolved. It's going to be a really intense week.

That is by far the main thing we have been dealing with this last week. We gave Roxana a blessing to help her, and she also talked briefly with the Branch President for counsel. We're not quite sure what is happening, but all we know is what God has told us to do, which is have faith and press forward, trusting in Him to provide a solution, somehow. We're not sure how it is going to happen, but we know what we need to do. If I've learned anything on my mission so far, it's that if God wants you to do something, no matter how crazy, just do it. That's where we're at right now. It's going to be an adventure!

I also went on exchanges this last week with Elder Memmott in our area. It was a really good exchange, and we got some good things done. Our focus was on being one with our use of smartphones, and while I still sometimes forgot to tell him what texts to read BEFORE I sent them, I usually remembered to at least tell him afterwards. Progress, right? With regards to technology use, we also had a really productive time using Facebook. We said a prayer before, just as we would with any other experience, and it made a huge difference! Both of us found really productive ways to still be ourselves while trying to strengthen others.

Sunday, I was asked to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting about what I've learned on my mission. I may have rambled on a little bit, but I felt the Spirit, so it's okay, right? No, seriously, I talked about how each area in my mission has helped me learn something about the Doctrine of Christ. In Wenatchee, I learned a lot about faith and the principles of what to apply. In Othello, I learned that applying the principles we know is not always easy in different situations, so I learned how to repent and adapt. I also learned a lot from Elder Fordham about how to humble myself instead of always being compelled to be humble. I mean, I always wanted to do that, I just didn't really know how. As for The Dalles, it was a baptism of fire. I learned a lot about the importance of making and keeping commitments, both for myself and for others. In Toppenish, I really had a lot of experiences with learning to follow the Spirit, to refine myself, and to be more consecrated. I also learned a lot there about the Spirit World, the Priesthood, and exercising our faith to see miracles. I saw a lot of those in Toppenish.

Finally, in Moses Lake, I've seen more or less a review of everything else. I've had to apply the lessons I have learned throughout the rest of my mission, in each of my areas. I've had to exercise my faith, repent (and I'm seeing the fruits of it!), make and keep covenants, and follow the Spirit more than really any other time. Also, as the end to my mission fast approaches (I still can't believe I only have a week left!), I have had to put my shoulder to the wheel and push along. I've learned here about how to truly endure well.

If you pay attention, each of my areas has taught me something about each one of the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel: Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. 5 areas, 5 principles. It's kind of poetic, isn't it?

Well, I love you all, and I'm looking forward to a week never to be forgotten!

Love,

Elder Ben Adams

Questions from Editor Mom

How was your week? - This last week was really great! It's REALLY weird how fast the time is going... 

What was the best part of your temple trip? - Getting answers to several questions was by far the best part. Also, since then, I've felt a little bit (not a lot, but still a little bit) more at peace about going home. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see everyone again, but it's really weird. Also, it's kind of terrifying/sad/pretty much everything at once. I honestly feel like the last little bit preparing to go back home is a LOT worse than actually being home. There's just SO much suspense. However, going to the Temple was like a breath of fresh air that filled me up and helped me feel more peaceful about the whole thing.

 

Glad to know SOMETHING is worse than being home. (Trying not to laugh at that statement). :-)
Well, you know what I mean :-)

What part of having a cell phone are you happiest about? - I honestly don't know. There are several things that are really nice about it. For one, the Area Book Planner is really, really, good. It improves our efficiency by a LOT. As for having them when I do, though, I'm really grateful to get a little bit of a "training course" for how to use technology. To be honest, I had almost completely forgotten about how to use a phone. Now, however, I'm more in practice, and I'm also getting a lot more comfortable with using my phone/facebook/everything to share the Gospel. I'm really glad I get this little refresher course.

What does this next week look like for you? - Intense. It looks really intense. We'll be having a bunch of lessons with Roxana, and we'll also be having a District Meeting. After that, we've got Weekly Planning, packing, and a lot of crazy preparation to help Roxana as well as to prepare to go to the Mission Home in a week.

What do you most love about Moses Lake? Your companion? Missionary work in general? - I've got to say that the members here in Moses Lake are absolutely fantastic. As for Elder Kopp, he's a really solid guy. He is really good at keeping me in line.  He's also really fun to be around, and we are good friends. As for missionary work, honestly, I don't even know where to begin. All I can do is point you to the promise at the end of the First Presidency message in the front of Preach My Gospel. Truly, more happiness comes as we labor among God's children than ever before. It is true. Seeing the Gospel work in peoples' lives has got to be one of the sweetest experiences anyone can have. Also, as a missionary, you can often feel pretty epic as you exercise the Priesthood in righteous ways. Seriously, the things that have happened... let's just say I've learned a lot about the Spirit World, faith, and miracles while here.

How's the weather? - It's getting pretty warm, actually. It's almost uncomfortably warm, but it's okay. We've got A/C.

Love you bunches! - Right back at you!

Love,

Elder Ben Adams

 

Pictures

Trip to the Columbia River Temple

 

Selections from Ben's Facebook posts

April 24:

April 25:
This week we had the awesome opportunity to go to the Columbia River Temple. It was truly inspiring. I'm super grateful we got to go; I was able to get some inspiration about how to be a better missionary, as well as how to continue on to the next phase of life.

After going to the Temple this morning, we got to enjoy some delicious burritos.
#burritos
#starving

April 27:

April 28:
I'm spending the day with awesome missionary Elder Memmott. ¡Vamanos!
#exchanges

April 29:
Today I felt super blessed to be able to share in church some of the experiences that I've had on my mission so far. Preparing to give that talk helped me remember just how many things I've learned and how many miracles I've seen. Honestly, the time I've had on my mission has really helped me learn so much.

April 30:
Sometimes people have asked me why we knock on their doors and try to talk with them. The answer? I think this scripture about captures it:

Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. - Mosiah 28:3, the Book of Mormon