How I missed you dearly this week! My story begins with Elder Bennet (another Elder in the District) getting a cold which he quickly passed on to Elder Lemonds, who generously shared it with me. You can learn a lot by following others example and so I passed on this opportunity to Elder Guillory. I am not sure what to think and I have yet to find out what can learned from all this. But, we're all a miserable bunch, and that just isn't fun when there isn't a Mom around. I can in my minds ear hear Dad in the background and yes Dad, the family cure of steeped cayenne pepper and garlic was promptly implemented and I am now cured--like usual! It works once you feel sick enough (or desperate enough) to submit to it. It scares any illness right out of you, that fast--just like any nearby friends or neighbors. Elder Guillory doesn't have my luck, he managed to turn our involuntary "District Activity" into a most excellent example of Sinusitis. He clearly has more talents for this than the rest of us but, he is not enjoying himself and is just not doing well. So, I've done my best in helping him get better (might take a few more prayers yet).
While we were all nursing our ills the members here were busy as little bees. A less active but awesome family joined another awesome family for a Family Home Evening and they are going to repeat the success. I hope to be there this time (It's great when a good plan comes together).
Unplanned illness (who plans for illness, anyways?) can obliterate all plans for productivity. Being out of our area for half the week and sick for most of it makes me so disappointed with myself. I had big plans, I really wanted to accomplish something but, I had no way of winning that argument.
This weeks training sessions left lots to think about. The tactics and pedagogy are changed and improved. At first I didn't care much care for the approach but, it works and that helps me get used to it--and now I like it.
With three days of training out of town we had more travel to do than we had alloted miles on our cars. Fortunately our local members helped us out a lot. But, all that driving allowed me a lot of time to reflect on my mission so far. At first I felt quite satisfied with my effort (I have worked hard and done my best), until I saw that I had momentarily left out the most important factor, turning it all into be a rather humbling equation. I realized that for everything I thought I had accomplished, God had been there balancing and fine-tuning the scales while I was busy piling on my little contribution. In all the best times on my mission I have not only relied on God's wisdom as found in the scriptures but, whenever I could I sought His council advice and support in all that I do. Clearly, I can't turn around and take credit for God's blessings in my life and what He has made possible? Everything worthwhile on my mission happened only because the Lord helped me every bit of the way. It was like a big light went on in my heart and I could only cast a very small shadow in it's presence. I felt everything put into proper perspective and it made me feel very small and humbled. Yet, this was a good feeling--I felt in the presence of something truly great.
I love you all! We're off to buy some groceries and like a couple of old folks are we both going to take a much needed nap. Even with prayers and the Family Cure-All I'm in recovering mode and Elder Guillory is still not doing well.
Loves,
Elder Jepsen
