I feel like I should have a lot to tell you . . . but time flies by and blurs together so much I´m not quite sure what happened this week! ;) But I have been loving it!
I am learning so much every day. I am so lucky to have such an amazing companion as Elder Oliver -- he is so real, so funny, and so efficient. He helps me grow every day, and I love having companionship study with him because we always set goals and plans to improve, and then we actually do something about it! It is a great way to live. It´s definitely a process though.
I had a really good wake-up call and a reminder that YES it is a process to repent, improve, and become more like Christ. I was feeling stressed because of all that is expected of me -- as a zone leader, as a missionary . . . just everything, you know! And I was feeling worried and inadequate. But then a couple days ago I read this absolutely fantastic talk by Elder Gong: https://www.lds.org/liahona/2014/07/young-adults/becoming-perfect-in-christ?lang=eng
I already sent it to several of you but I must include it here again because it is so awesome! I learned that I don´t have to stress out so much about being imperfect, and that being perfect DOES NOT mean never making mistakes. It means coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him over a time and through a process which is all of mortal life. We should just trust in His love, His Atonement, His mercy and grace, freely given to all those who live the gospel. Then we can free ourselves of fears and just be happy. I still have a lot more to learn and apply, but it´s coming along! I am working to overcome my perfectionist nature, keeping the good part of those desires and throwing out the unrealistic expectations.
So, the coolest stuff that happened this week were:
1. Intercambios. I had a couple of lovely exchanges with our district leader Elder Morales in his area and then yesterday one with Elder Delgado the financer in my area. It was great! I learned from each missionary wonderful things, as always. Mostly, I learned to be a more confident leader, and to be more natural and calm in all my interactions with people. Well, I learned that I should do that -- actually doing it will take time. :)
2. Tomas! We started teaching this amazing menos activo named Tomas who has lived all over the world, speaks several languages, and is just a really interesting and nice guy. He lives alone in his apartment on a major street. But the craziest part: when we showed up to teach him, he immediately started speaking ENGLISH to us!! We taught the whole lesson in English, and he wants to practice his english with us always. He speaks very well. The Spirit was different and so powerful teaching in my native language, which I had never really done before. I love teaching him. We have had two lessons. After the lesson yesterday, he gave us a gift! He gave us two old ties that used to be his dad´s (who died quite a few years ago). He also . . . . . . . . gave us underwear. I was surprised and tried not to laugh. He doesn´t know anything about the endowment and wearing temple garments, but whatever! The thought was nice! HAHAHA.
Anyways. My time is over. But know that I love you. Don´t expect to be perfect now! Trust in the merits of Christ, not your own!
I love you all so much!
--Elder Max Olivier
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