9/7/2014 Crazy Week

How's it going there in Mexican Spoon, U.S.A.? 

Wow! 5 weeks of training have really flown by. Definitely the fastest 5 weeks of my mission. I can only see it getting faster from here. Latelym we have had quite a few investigators stop meeting with us. It is always sad to see people go. We basically only have 1 investigator at the moment. It is definitely a bit of a challenge but it has given us an opportunity to really focus RCLA'S and finding in the next week. 

C-- D--

has really hit a slump. I have put so much time into that man. I've cried over him even. I feel like he is the "one soul" I was sent here to Taiwan to help. He has had and continues to be given so many opportunities. Last night I really was just fed up with his excuses. I have been really patient up to this point but I just had to tel tell it to him straight. He has to decide whether or not he is going to give up his past including:friends, family, environment, job, etc. if he is going to be happy. I feel like I kind of got through to him but we will see. I am fasting and praying for him like crazy and I hope it will help him overcome his struggles. I know I should be more patient and I know he can change I just need to have more faith and continue to love him. 

I also feel like I haven't lived up to my calling as a trainer. My trainee is such a cool guy who has a lot of motivation and sometimes I just don't do as well as I should. I really have a desire to change and become a better example. I've also been thinking that because I have been so frustrated that Cao dx won't change but I myself and having problems changing that it is kind of hypocritical so I want to be better about that. 

Lately I have been pondering a lot about the rich, young man who had lived a righteous life in the Bible. He kept the commandments and wanted to know what more he needed to do to become a true disciple of Christ. Christ told him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. The young man was unable to forsake this "sin, weakness, hobby, etc". We, like the young man all have that "sin, weakness, hobby, etc." that we have a hard time forsaking. In the case of the young man some of us say, "If Christ asked me to sell all I have and give it to the poor I would most definitely do it!" But what I or we or you or us fail to remember is that this is a parable and therefore was meant to be applied to our own lives. What Christ is basically saying is give up your LIFE! and follow me. Give away all your sin, your desires for worldly things, time spent not focused on serving others, or any other non-holy practice. Don't be so quick to judge the young rich man. He was asked to do something few people in the history of the world have been able to accomplish! 

I know how that young man feels. I have also been asked to forsake bad habits, bad friends, and cleanse my inner vessel while completely devoting my life to God. Have I come even close? I couldn't be further away. But what I have learned is that because of My Savior, Jesus Christ, I have hope. Hope of a better life, hope of a future free from the burden of guilt and sin. Hope of a future and forever family that will love me no matter the stupid mistakes that I make. Hope that all the things I have been teaching for the past year and a half are true and have power to bring peace/happiness to the human soul. Hope that my friends and family that are living with trials, troubles, and challenges will be saved by our loving Heavenly Father and will once again return to His welcoming arms. Hope that despite my trials,, weaknesses, and unworthiness, I may still be an instrument n the hands of God in bringing 1 or many souls back to Him so that they may enjoy eternal peace and happiness.

For isn't PEACE and HAPPINESS what ever person who is living, has lived and will live is searching and hoping for? Honestly speaking, I have not found it fully in my life yet. But because of Jesus Christ, My Savior and Redeemer, I hope I can. :)

Love you all and have a wonderful week! 

Love,

Elder Meeks

P.S. Picture a beautiful windy day. There were two older gentlemen sitting on a porch, drinking some beers, and having a good ole time. Every few minutes one of the gentlemen stands up and shoots his gun into the air and sits back down and resumes like nothing has happened. After a few times of this happening his friend just has to ask him what he is doing. His friend responds, "Shooting the breeze!" BWAHAHAHAHA  

Yes..I made that up