5/19/14: Goal Setting

Goal setting is one thing I have generally despised. I like to fly by the seat of my pants. Particularly in missionary work. But guess what? It totally works!
1) I set some New Years Resolutions that I actually have held on to for the past several months, and I feel like I've made substantial progress with them.

2) We made a goal on Wednesday to actually achieve our weekly goals (which we generally make on like Sunday) last week. We worked hardto achieve them, all the way until like 8:00 last night. And we did it(lessons-wise)! Although we also learned the importance on not putting numbers above people. It did get us to work harder than we might have been initially inclined to do. It was pretty sweet.

 

Konitchiwa to my extended family of friends! (Why Japanese? No reason.)

 

We started this week by addressing issues of both social and testimonial nature with one of our recent converts. I thought the issue was resolving itself until he didn't show up for church. AGAIN. And then I was stressed out all last night because of the lack of commitment. It drives me CRAZY.

 

We met with the husband of a family we are starting to begin teaching, and it went SUPER well. I think he is much more open now than he was initially. I have high hopes. One of my end-of-mission goals is to bring a complete family into the church. Maybe this could be it :)

 

We met an awesome young mom I also hope to be teaching soon. She was about to turn us away, but then we got talking, and I think she likes us! I love when that happens (I think I've become a people-pleaser on my mission. Not something I ever though I would be :/ But I like it, cause it makes people I can have an influence for good on actually want to listen to me!)

 

We had Zone Conference this week and I still love meetings. It was really good. Families, family history, something about the House of Israel (Prez likes the OT way too much sometimes), and getting to know sisters I don't know that well. It makes me want to be an STL again because I want to go on exchange soo bad with some of these sisters who are struggling! Instead I just do my best to encourage them and occasionally reprimand their companions--in the nicest way possible (remember, I'm a people-pleaser now;)

 

Brownie-batter custard.

 

We have lots of potentials to teach, and it's lots of fun, but lots of work. I love working with the recent converts. They have SO much potential. I can't wait to see the future of these incredible young people.

 

Next month we are switching to the 3-hour-block. SO excited for that. Complacency is the optimum way Satan reaches the saints. I won't let it happen here! No bueno.

 

This week we are taking an exciting trip north. I've only done that once before, and it was like 7 at night during the winter. This time we're taking a whole day, and expecting many mighty miracles :) Ferry our car to Washington Island? Thinking about it. I guess that depends on how much it costs. And what the spirit says :) Would go to Beaver Island and convert the Strangite apostates there if it was in our mission, but it's not :(

 

Funny story of the week:

We went to see some former investigators of mine that I've been a coward about going and seeing. They had company over, who told us that all mankind are descendants of Mars who came to Earth because we destroyed our planet and now we're destroying this one and will have to find another soon. Yeah. I was laughing my head off while he talked and looking at my former investigator who was also laughing--but in a more embarrassed way. I think she feels bad now and will have to let us back in someday. Muahaha.

 

Thinking about all of you and praying for you often :)

Sister Neal