This
week we had our mission tour with Elder Ochoa from the Area Presidency!
It was on Wednesday, so Tuesday we just had a normal work day, and it
was pretty successful! But let´s get to the important stuff.
So I was informed late Tuesday night that I was going to be conducting, so
that was a lovely surprise. It wasn´t very difficult, but still not
really what I wanted. Hahahaha it was fun. We got there real early, at
about 7:00, which meant leaving the house at 4. At 8:45, Elder Ochoa and
his wife, and President and Sister Russell showed up. They took
pictures with each Zone, then we got to meet him! There is something
special about being in the presence of a General Authority. Bishop
Davies, President Nelson, Elder Snow, Elder Christensen, Elder Duncan
and now Elder Ochoa. We have been extremely blessed! The second he
walked into the room, you could feel his Spirit and his humility. I
don´t know how they do it, but they are definitely some powerful men and
women. We then began the meeting!
Conducting,
as far as I know I did fine. Elder Ochoa and his wife talked, then
Sister Russell shared a powerful message about faith. Afterwards,
President Russell spoke about how the mission is going and shared a
message. During this part I didn´t really have time to take notes
because I was up on the stand, but they gave some good messages! Then
Elder Ochoa began to talk again, giving us instruction. I absolutely
love the way he spoke. He spoke with so much humility and yet with so
much power, to the point where we could feel the Spirit and be motivated
to be better. Throughout the day, he mentioned 7 points of things we
could do better to have more success and become better missionaries.
1. Become one with Christ
2. Be one with our Companions
3. Be one with the Ward
4. Be more Focused
5. Accept all the Responsibility
6. Teach Repentance
7. Love the People
Elder
Ochoa´s focus was that we stop wasting time with people that aren´t
going to progress and instead spend our time searching for the
¨escogidos.¨ We have so many numbers to complete, that sometimes we get
caught up teaching people that we shouldn´t be teaching in order to
complete the numbers. Elder Ochoa is very down with the Standards of
Excellence, but wants us to get better in the way that we work with
them. He motivated us to find the people that God has prepared. I wish I
had brought my notes here to write, because I have forgotten some of
the detailed notes. But anyways, he talked a lot about that, answered
some questions, and bore a strong testimony. Oh and we got to each lunch
with him too! That was as scared as I have ever been eating lunch,
hahahaha. I didn´t spill though so we are good :)
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| Elder and Hermana Ochoa |
But
that wasn´t it! We also had a Leadership Council Meeting, presided by
Elder Ochoa! Now, that is where the nerves get going, because it is a
lot more personal. President Russell lead it, and for about 2 hours we
just talked about ways to help the mission and about what we learned in
the Multi Zone. It was awesome! All the Zone Leaders were participating,
giving inspired ideas to get this thing rolling even more. But the best
parts were the things that Elder Ochoa mentioned. So much humility, yet
so much power. He had talked about giving more in the Multi Zone, but
at Consejo he modified it. Instead of us giving more, he promised that
the Lord will give us more. He said that it is hard for President to ask
more than he is already asking, so instead of giving more, we should
give better. My favorite quote. ¨The Lord doesn´t just want you to
baptize, but he also wants you to learn how to become great leaders and
Disciples of Christ.¨ While always reminding us that everything we do
should be focused on Baptizing and Retaining :) it was awesome! He also
helped us to know that everything we do as leaders should be with the plan
to inspire. INSPIRE. I hope we can all inspire others while at the same
time inspiring ourselves!
That
is about it from the week. I love the Gospel, and I want to finish
strong. Make the most of this time that I have left. I love you all so
much. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Merrill
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| Elder Merrill and Elder Jimenez |
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| Service |
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