Improving training meetings

This week has seemed long because a lot has happened but at the same time it feels like it's flown by. Tuesday we had zone training. Throughout the mission we are focusing on improving the productivity of our training meetings (district meeting, zone training, etc.). Rather than the leader getting up there and giving a sermon/teaching the whole time, we are now focusing on role playing and practicing the skills being taught. That way it's more us learning and applying skills like it should be. So we focused on recognizing and relying on the Holy Ghost when we teach. I feel like God's been trying to teach me that a lot recently. I need to get better at and put more focus into recognizing when the Holy Ghost is speaking to me. As a missionary, the Lord blesses me with His spirit so abundantly in order to do His work. Anyone who is fully engaged in His work receives a more abundant portion of the Spirit.

 

We've also been meeting with R every day this week almost to get her ready for her baptism. Yesterday at church we were talking about the Holy Ghost in Gospel Principles and she shared a really neat, powerful experience. On Saturday we taught her about fasting because the next day was fast Sunday and so she decided to fast for her husband to get off probation in Texas soon so he could move to Roswell with her and their family. It really hit her that night how hard it was to be a single mother, but as she prayed she felt the Lord's Spirit telling her to just hang in there and keep going. I know the Lord loves us and that He sends the miraculous gift of His Spirit to show us the great  magnitude of that love.

 

We also started teaching a couple named M and J. They are very kind and sincere and asked a lot of questions during our lesson (missionaries love questions). J is very passionate about modesty and loves that the Church is "old fashioned" as well. They will make great Mormons, haha. We also taught the institute class at NMMI yesterday. One of the cadets has been bringing non-member friends and a couple of them are interested in learning about the church.

 

Overall we have been blessed this week and we are going to get to go up to Mescalero on exchanges this week! I'm way excited! I love you all and hope that you will feel an increased measure of the Spirit as you strive to serve the Lord.

 

Love,

Elder Carlson