My first week of training has been interesting. For one, everyone hates Gringos and they don´t want to listen to missionaries. Everyone has to admit though that we are the nicest people in the entire area though (as said by one of the Catholic ladies that is trying to "save our souls". At the same time, I've been able to remember just how much Spanish I actually know and how great it feels to be the leader in a companionship. It´s been a very strange balance of I know exactly what´s going on, I can do this, and we´re two lost American´s in the middle of Mexico.
As I said at the start, I've been trying to be like Peter again, and for the same reason that I wrote about in my very first email. I've been called to walk on water. Except this time, drowning was only a hypothetical idea. I was never in any real danger in the MTC; all of my investigators were really my teachers, at the end of the lessons, I could speak in English to everyone, and we never had to worry about getting lost. Now, If I don´t know how to say something, it doesn't get said. If I can´t convey the spirit in my lessons, the investigators don't progress. And not only will they not progress, but I've got a companion that thinks that I have all of the answers. As much as I want to say that I have them all, I don´t. Amazingly though, we've got some of the highest numbers in our district right now, so I think we´re doing something right. The hope right now is just that we´ll be able to keep this up. First week is luck, second week´s dumb luck, and the third week is mastery. At least I think that practice strategy works in the mission.
Needless to say though, with every week that I focus on Peter, it is a sign of my continual recognition of my dependence on my Savior each day. Anyone that doubts that God lives and is a God of miracles can look at the fact that my comp and I are here in the heart of Mexico holding lessons and helping investigators progress. That isn't our work. This isn't dumb luck. This is the Savior guiding His servants as they assist in his work to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Like Peter, we all have the ability to receive Divine help and let ourselves be led to his "green pastures". It´s like the hymn says, "I´ll go where you want me to go dear Lord... I´ll say what you want me to say... I´ll be what you want me to be."
With that in mind, we can all do as Peter and walk on water. We can all do what is seemingly impossible, but we have to surrender our own will to do it. We have to do as Peter did and leave our nets behind to follow him. This is not an easy thing, and we don´t get to pick one day to do it and another day not to. It´s an all or nothing deal. And the result is a lasting, permanent change in character and relationship with God.
So my invitation this week is to work on building that relationship. One of my older companions once asked me, If I was in Peter´s shoes, and Christ asked me, "Do you love me more than all these?" and then he asked me a second time, and then he asked me a third time, with his loving but knowing eyes staring strait into your soul, what would your answer be? Could you answer yes to all three times? Would you perhaps doubt after the second or third time? Would you honestly say no, that you loved him, but you didn't want to give up your biggest addictions or sins?
I´m not going to say how I answered this question, and I don´t expect anyone to tell me their's either. Just ponder the situation in your mind. Try to imagine the Savior sitting in front of you asking the same question, and evaluate how your relationship with him is based off of how you feel that goes.
That´s all for now
Elder Gooden
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