Week 31: Transfers

The district.
December 12, 2022

Alrighty, got some changes coming up. The area I'm in is being merged with another nearby and my companion and I are getting sent to different parts of the capital. I'm going to a place called Nimajuyu (nee-muh-who-you) and I honestly don't know anything about it, but I kinda like just getting thrown in somewhere and figuring it out anyways. I absolutely love this area and the people here, and it was a great learning experience, but there wasn't a lot of progress. It was starting to wear on me a little, so I'm glad I'm getting to "start over" somewhere new. This past week was really uneventful, almost all of our appointments fell through, so we honestly didn't get a whole lot of teaching in, but at least we were able to say goodbye to a good number of our friends.

Spiritual thought:

Life isn't always what you expect it to be. Sometimes things pile up just one thing after another and it starts to get difficult. I would like to remind everyone to take a moment to ponder. Over your goals, relationships, current situation, and look for your priorities. Sometimes you just have to buckle down and get your hands dirty. Sometimes you get stuck in the mud, not just a day or two, sometimes weeks, even more. Just keep your head level. Make sure to recognize what you can do better but don't be too hard on yourself. Realize that change is a process, not an event. Be patient, take small breaks occasionally. Take time to breath, and admire life happening around you. Then keep moving forward, never backwards.

For example: I set the goal for this past transfer to get up on-time at 6:30 everyday. Out of 6 weeks, I maybe got up on-time 5 or 6 days total. I could beat myself up about it and say I'm a failure, or I can recognize that this is one of my greatest difficulties, and the circumstances of people not progressing was wearing on me as well, making it even harder. I definitely could've done better, I could've gone to bed on-time more often, once I'm awake sit up so I don't fall back asleep, etc. The point is that I know I tried, and I know how to be better. I apply that knowledge moving on, and even if next transfer I only improve a tiny bit, it's still moving forward. It's crucial to have hope, especially in yourself. Give credit where credit is due. It helps too to share these things with those around you who will help and support you too. People are your best friends. Not material things.

These things I would like to share, and I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

~Elder Owens~

Elderes de Santa Rosa de Lima







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