Dear Family and Friends, November 1, 2010
I am still here in Salta de Pirapora! I am so glad that I get to stay another transfer here, we have so many people to teach, many people that are progressing, and I really love the people in this city. I will also be able to eat Thanksgiving at my Bishop's house! I can't believe about Jeff. He is such a good guy, you can tell how much of a stud he is by his attitude. He is so, so positive. I will be praying for him as he makes this adjustment in his life, but I know it won't slow him down at all. I love him.
Well Elder Bednar was awesome. It was so good to be able to see all of my buddies that day. I saw my companion from the CTM, Elder Bavender and my really good buddies from the CTM. I hugged Elder Knoblauch probably 20 times throughout the day, everytime we saw each other, I really love that guy. Also I saw Elder Schoen! It was so good to see him! We sat together during lunch and I got to talk to him about his last transfer and catch up about things. It was wonderful.
Elder Bendar spoke to us for two and a half hours or so. It was so so different then I expected. His wife spoke before him for about 5 minutes and then he began. He started off by saying how we are agents. He will not call on us, but we will volunteer. The entire time, he just asked us what we learned from the talk. He was so gentle the entire time. He would ask questions to have certainty that he was understanding us, but before he would always say, "May I ask you a question?" Then the discussion switched to talking about what we're learning from this experience. What he vocalized and I realized that everyone was learning something very personal from the Holy Ghost. Everyone was learning personal things about how we can improve our service to the Lord. He vocalized how so often we play "guess what's in my head" to teach in the church. He just asked us how we felt about the talk. What really "hit" us. There was no right answer. It really was a wonderful experience. I think I have a lot more to learn from everything that he taught. He closed by saying I want you to personally decide what you will do different, and then discuss this with your companion. It was a wonderful day.
Daniela, Laura, Leticia and William are progressing really well. I have faith all will be well for them to be baptized on the 13 of November. Daniela, the mother of William stopped drinking coffee in 1 day. She works during the night time and this was a huge sacrifice but she is so strong in her commitments. She really has a testimony and wants to do everything. We have a recent convert, Samira that is so awesome with missionary work. Yesterday we went to her house and when we were leaving she said "Come over on Tuesday and I will bring a friend you can teach."
According to Preach My Gospel, this is the ideal form of missionary work, when members invite nonmembers to be taught in their homes. President Kimball said it is infinitely easier for someone to accept the gospel if they see the principles in action in the lives of others. He also said the key to the future growth of the church is member missionary work. I believe we have a misconception of our role with missionary work. We fail to recognize that we have a mouth, just like our missionaries. Prophets have said there are people placed in our group of friends who are Spiritually prepared for the gospel. I write this with a prayer in my heart that we can be awakened to the sense of our duty. With 2 missionaries, our Kirkland 1st Ward or _____Ward can only grow at the rate of those two men, according to their faith and the will of the Lord. But with a ward of 50, 100, 200 a stake of 1000, the work can grow dramatically. Bruce R. McConkie said that in his opinion, we are not baptizing as many as the Lord expects of us. So what can we do?
I hope that as you read these words, you feel a little incomfortable. The truth is, we can do a lot better to be missionaries. I know it is difficult. I know it is uncomfortable, but just because it is uncomfortable does that mean it is wrong? No. Many things in life are extremely uncomfortable. It is extremely uncomfortable to be away from those I love. I have a very tender heart, and it is uncomfortable for me. Does this mean that a mission is wrong? No, it is so very very right. The same is true with member missionary work. It doesn't matter how many times we have tried, succeeded or failed in the past. Faith with out works is dead. Our responsibility is the works. With member missionary work, we need to work! I think it is a very realistic goal to invite one person in this next week to be taught in your home by the missionaries. If you think it will be awkward it will be awkward. Exercise positive thinking and think about the Eternal Significance. How grateful I am that generations ago, someone opened their mouth to our ancestors, and I have this wonderful gospel in my life. I love you all so very very dearly. This gospel is so true. Let's listen carefully to those around us and the Holy Ghost. The Lord is so anxious to help us. Believe in other people. Really believe in them. Listen to the desires of their hearts.
I had an experience last night that really touched my heart. I was sitting on the ground talking to a less active member in front of her house while my companion stood in the street reporting numbers. Two teenage girls came up to us talking and said, is that your son? He just threw a sandal over the wall! She said oh no, were they big ones? I saw them earlier and replied yes. I saw her nervously look into her house for her ex-husband, and I could literally see fear in her eyes and she said "He'll hit him". I felt it as well, and said no, no, don't let him! She said "Well I can't lie to him!" The son walked back slowly and when he got close enough to see, see said so relieved "Oh it's my sandal! Okay sweetie, we'll got get it tomorrow" and that was that. I told her how much it meant to me and how wonderful of a mother she is. She said "My kids are my life."
I feel the same feeling in my heart right now that I felt last night. I am so grateful for my tender family. I love you all so much. I appreciate gentle words and gentle touch so much. 2 little quotes from Enzio F. Busche that I love, "Avoid rush and haste and an uncontrolled word. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet." Thank you so very much for all of the gentle love I receive through emails and letters and prayers. We can always pray to our gentle Father. I testify Christ lives. I trust my Savior.
Love,
Elder Calvert
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