August 25th - Transfers this Week

What's Crackalackin!?

 

This week was great. I am constantly learning new things. I believe that I am finally starting how to think deeply. I have also been pondering a lot on how to choose my words. Words are pretty powerful. I believe that occasionally I just want to throw out a bunch of words/doctrine hoping that it will stick. But I'm starting to realize that doesn't really work. We had a really powerful experience with a part member family. J---- D----- has been struggling with developing his testimony. He is faithfully keeping his commitments and attending church but is still trying to be able to say, "I believe." I really admire this man. He has expressed that he really hopes it is true. During the lesson we kind of got off topic on the Word or Wisdom. I starting getting a little frustrated. Finally, I just thought to bear my testimony on eternal families. I just asked him straight up, "Do you want to be with your family forever?" He responded, "Of course I want to be with them forever." I then replied, "Well you have 60 ish years to make it happen." Elder Nelson then bore his testimony on eternal families as well which added a strong spirit to the room. His wife and him decided to read the Book of Mormon and pray together everyday as a couple. We plan to invite him to invite him to be baptized this week!

We also had a great time visiting members this week. It is always so fun to see the little kids light up when the missionaries come over. It really helps me understand that there are so many purposes for missionary work. One purpose that I will really focus on my mission is inspiring youth to go serve. If it weren't for all of my friends and family back home that showed me through example that missions were so important I never would've made it out here. I absolutely love talking to the youth about serving missions. I've found that the youth here are so fired up about missionary work. I believe that a big reason is because the missionaries are such a big part of their lives. There is a young man right now that is struggling with his testimony. He reminds me a little bit of myself when I was deciding to serve a mission. My companion and I have really tried to reach out to him. I know that he considers us really great friends. We will continue to love and be patient with him. He will have the power to touch many many lives when and not if he chooses to serve.

I'm super sad training is coming to an end because that means I will most likely leave my awesome companion. Elder Nelson and I have seen so much success in Ankang. We have never had any problems and just love the work and love doing it together. There isn't a day goes by that we don't have some funny thing or spiritual experience that we can share together. He has been an awesome trainer and has set me up to be a missionary who loves and sees how serving others is what begins the process of conversion. I will definitely miss his companionship.

I've spoke about a C---- d----- in the past I believe. He is a less active who's main reason for joining his current church is because he didn't have enough service opportunities in our church. He has dedicated his life to serving others all of the time. He works very hard and whenever he is not working he is serving. Every time we visit with him he always asks if there are sick or sad people he can go visit or help support financially. Wow! What an amazing example of charity. I hope that the members of the ward in the future can never say that they don't have enough opportunities to serve. That should never be the case for this gospel is and should be the essence of service. If there are opportunities for you to give an opportunity to someone to do service then please do it! Do it! It's super important.

 

We had a good friend leave for New York this week. He is a recent convert and I'm going to miss his face like crazy!

 

We had two eating experiences this week. First we went and ate at a Kao Rou place. It's a place where you grill your own meat and it is all you can eat. It was sooooooooooo good. Needless to say eating a couple pounds of meat isn't very healthy. I seriously feel like a fat blob lately. Oh and then we had to go to an eating competition at our members restaurant. It was absolutely horrible. We had to eat 6 chicken breasts and 6 bowls of curry rice. My companion finished it and I ate 4 and 4. Probably the worst I have ever felt after eating in my whole life. I will never eat at his restaurant again...

 

I've been trying to think deeply lately. The mission is super busy but I've found while riding my bike or right before I go to bed I have some time. Man the things you can figure out. I love it. Pretty sure the process is a life long one though. I would love to spend some time in China after my mission studying with the Buddhist monks. Because I'll be able to speak Chinese I think it will be an incredible experience. The monks are incredibly dedicated people. I admire them.

 

Well ya'll this is about all I got for you this week. Keep smilin as my father always says. I'm loving the mission and am excited to see what new adventures I have with my new companion this next week. Until next time live long and prosper.

 

Elder Meeks

 

P.S. My toe is infected and will most likely be going to the doctor tomorrow. :) Oh the joys of getting ingrown toenails. And yes I did everything to prevent it dad! I'm pretty sure my feet have grown.