Rosin

Rosin is a solid form of resin. It is applied to the bottom and point of dancing shoes and increases the friction that a dancer needs while performing onstage.  A dancer does not want to slip out of position on an unfamiliar stage.

This week has been so crazy. Seriously, it just seems like so much has happened. And what's interesting is that everything feels like it happened all at once, but I know that it really hasn't. And it's been hard. When people tell you that a mission isn't easy, they are not kidding. Being a missionary is challenging, exhausting work. I have never slept faster or deeper. I've even managed to take naps, which I used to never be able to do before.

But most of all, in the craziness of this week, I've gained an even deeper testimony of the power or prayer. President Ashton has a standing challenge for us as a mission to have at least one prayer a day that lasts 15 minutes or more. As I've been participating in this challenge, I've seen my prayers changing. I've felt the change too, in that I am understanding the song A Child's Prayer better:

"Some say that Heaven is far away, but I feel it close around me as I pray." I really do. I am starting to understand things as Heavenly Father does. I have relied on prayer so much this week. I won't go through everything that has happened, but know that prayer has been my Rosin this week. I've just had to depend on it to get me through the day. 

Investigators primarily have been the cause of Rosin prayers.. I have some that accepted a baptismal date earlier this week and now seem to be backtracking because they won't keep any of their commitments. Grr. But I'm still going to be super busy. We had zone meeting last week, in which we set the goal of 36 baptisms by the end of next transfer, with district goals in addition to that. As a companionship, we have decided to get 9 of those 36 baptisms. It's going to require a lot of help, but I know the Lord is on board with this goal, and will help us achieve it.

I've seen a tender mercy from the Lord this week. I've been teaching this one investigator, Felipe. He has a baptismal date for the 16th. We found out on Thursday that he was moving this weekend. But the exact same day, some Elders in our zone texted to tell us that their investigator with a baptismal date for the 16th is moving to my area. What?? It was absolutely a miracle. For me at least.

There is also a part member family that I'm struggling with. This family is huge: parents, 9 kids, all but four kids have moved out and all but two have been baptized (the youngest two). Out of all 11 family members, only one is even semi-active. It all started because the Mom got offended by the Bishop. I'm sure that wasn't the only thing, but it is their excuse. I just don't know how to help them... That's been really hard for me. I can see what the Lord wants for them, but I have no idea how to help them achieve it.  

But I've also seen the power of your prayers. I'm keeping a journal of all the miracles that I have seen in my experiences, and I know that they are influenced by your prayers for me and my investigators. So thank you. I guess all I have left to say for this week is let the Lord be your Rosin. Depend on him, not your own willpower, to avoid slipping and falling. You still have to do your part, but he will always help you to be able to stand and balance everything. Even if your room to balance is no more than the box of a pointe shoe, you can do it, through the Lord.