So
this week has been interesting. It feels like we just had a super dead
no energy week, but then looking back we got way more accomplished then I
first believed... we taught a few great lessons, sat through long
trainings (I'm going to credit my back aches to those) and got to sit at
the church most of Saturday and Sunday watching General Conference! I'd
like to thank those who kept us company so that we didn't have to sit
and watch conference alone and Thankyou to Sis. Wimmer and Sis. R.
Harris for providing the delicious food for our lunch on Sunday! It was
awesome!
Now
Conference was interesting (As it always is) but I noticed a particular
focus on Repentance and Judging. Several talks focused on making true
repentance, or true change, while a few others talked about not
comparing ourselves to other. I see that as a big problem in the church
and in society today. Many times in our lives we prefer to hide or block
our sins and mistakes then fess up and deal with it. With that we also
begin to Judge ourselves.... "Why can't I be as good of a Mormon as that
person".... "That family is so perfect, why is mine so
dysfunctional"... "Why do I struggle when they get all they want"....
and then the other side "That family is so dysfunctional, good thing I'm
better than them"... "That person is a disgrace as a Mormon, they can't
even get the simplest things right".... I guarantee that all of you,
including myself, has asked those questions or some similar. We're all
selfish, we're all jerks, just accept it. We never truly examine those
we see and compare ourselves too. Instead of focusing on our own sins or
problems we pick and prod at the perfections and imperfections of
others... I'm certainly guilty of it. Many times we also ignore the
problems that others may be facing and only see their so called
"Perfections" that we don't have. We become selfish and blind.
I
have realized this lately as a Trainer.... I am constantly drowning my
own pride in things that my trainee does in which are not the same way I
do them. I have to take time and focus on his positives because I
always find myself turning to his negatives... and then berating myself
because I realize I'm jealous of many of the positives that he
posses... and that jealousy brings more pride infused frustrations. A
vicious cycle...
Now,
how do you fix this problem? The Leaders of the church seemed to pound
it into my brain.... Repentance/Change.... Stop comparing, stop judging.
An interesting comment that comes to mind is something that I try to
really focus on with any missionary that struggles.... "God called YOU!"
And that doesn't just apply to missionaries.... wherever you are,
whatever you're doing, God has called YOU! You are the exact parents he
wants for that child. You are the exact Teachers he wants for those
students, you are the exact companion he wants with that missionary. I
could go on and on about everything that he has placed YOU to do.
Just remember that Your Heavenly Father placed you in your shoes. So it's you that should be there.
Rant
ended.... I love you guys and I thank you all so much for your support
and love... Keep being awesome and all that kind of stuff!
Here
is a picture of a funny sticker we found on the road..... stuck it on
Elder Taylor's desk so everyone can remember.... (Disclaimer)This is not
us stating our political position.
Elder Anthony Sleigh Hicks
Sent from my iPad
New Jersey Morristown Mission
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