5th Letter -- I was made district leader

Date: July 28, 2011 Area: Provo MTC Companion: Elder Eves

Hello Famlia!

Now for my week. It was a really really good week. I was made district leader which is really interesting cause there is a girl in my district (the new one) that is having some issues and she might get sent home. She is on probation in a way we we'll see what happens. Before I was called as district leader I really loved and cared about all the people in my district but now that I'm district leader I feel responsable for all of them. But my district is awesome and I love them so its all good.

This last week I guess you could call a week of change for me. At least i've been trying to change. I read a talk by a member of the 70, I don't remember his name (i'll tell you next week) but it was called the 4th missionary. And he talks about what you need to do to become a good missionary. Elder Bednar would say to "be a missionary, not just go on a mission". He says that it is important to forget about the things that you want and to completely surrender yourself to the lord and to align your will with his so that you only want to do things that he would have you do or that he would want to do. It was an incredible powerful talk and I am trying to apply the principles in my life.

We listened to a talk by Elder Holland the other night and he kind of hit on the same thing. He talked about Moses 1:39 and how we need to make this work OUR work and OUR glory. That we should feel so personally about it that we feel possession over it in that way. That we feel that it is our own. Mine. So I have been trying to see things in that new light and it really changes how you view things. Many things don't matter as much or you don't think about them the same but I've felt more love for those around me which is cool.

Elder Simmons of the 70 spoke to us on tuesday night which was cool (we were in the 3rd row!) and he talked about prayer and one thing he said that stuck out to me and I liked was that we should pray daily and ask for greater understanding about who we are. I thought it was interesting because we all change so much all the time but often times, at least for me, I don't realize how I'm changing. So to pray for that and then to be aware of the ways that I'm changing make me conscious of the person I'm becoming and once I know that I can decide if I like that person and change accordingly. I thought he was very insightful.

 

Today was the first day that my district went to the temple since we have been here. It has been closed for cleaning ever since I arrived. But it was great, I always love going to the temple. I always feel so peaceful and happy in there. I noticed that today, I couldn't stop smiling=) But the temple is definitely a wonderful place and we are so lucky to have so many so close and that we have the opportunity to visit them.

 

Mom and Dad, thank you for always being such great examples of patience, love and service to everyone around you. You really are amazing people and raised Lindy, Spencer, Cutler and I by example. There is no way that I would be here now if it weren't for your examples. So thank you and I love you.

 

Lindy, Spencer and Cutler, thank you for being so supportive of me, you 3 are all wonderful examples to me of what I need to work harder to become in so many different ways. I love you!

 

Love,

Elder Holland