Sis. Coleman: We were able to visit with Sis. Coleman and her daughter on Friday. It was an interesting situation because we had traveled to Windermere that morning to visit with leadership over there. So when she called, we were at another Sisters' apartments. But she had already visited them before, so she was willing to make the trip to the depths of the Lakes of Windermere to come visit us. It was a lot of fun! One term I have heard on my mission is "the Mormon Mafia" meaning that we are so united wherever we go, if you are a member, you feel included instantly. Again and again we see proof of that. I noticed it when I use to tour around the world and be welcomed in host families to spend a night or two, or when we'd go to church. I think it is amazing how members truly understand the principle of unity and love. Just this morning, I made a comment to my companion on how our understanding of tithing and fast offerings is an example of how well we are coming to live the law of consecration. At the beginning of the church, the Saints were poor and somehow were able to build both the Kirtland and Nauvoo temple in beautiful splendor. I don't know if they'd ever comprehend the growth of the church today in how we have so many saved funds to help so many people worldwide that are in need. It's phenomenal! And it's all because of each member paying a simple 10% and a fast offering equivalent of two meals.
Exchanges: We went on exchanges with the Waterford Lakes sisters on Wednesday. Sis. Snyder and Sis. Schow stayed in Waterford, while Sis. Higginson and I worked in our area. We started the day with all four of us serving a member in Waterford Lakes. She had a huge collection of baby and young children clothes that she wanted to donate to Good Will, but she wanted to write down and inventory everything first. She has an IRS approved program that gives prices to everything donated to better estimate for taxes. She says most of the prices are what we'd never expect for clothes and items, and it gives a lot more taxes back. So, I may consider in the future to start inventorying my donations to help with taxes :-D Then, Sis. Higginson and I traveled to Lake Nona to look over the area and try to contact a few people. We quickly learned our maps are too out of date - so now we are considering a GPS - and most of the places are gated, even some are guarded. It reminded me of Boca! Oh the memories! Then, I taught ASL class and Sis. Higginson LOVED it! It wasn't too bad of a class. I still have no confidence in teaching, but I am learning, slowly...
We had a good experience trying to help an investigator fix his car by calling and driving around, getting a hold of another investigator who owns a shop, and trying to see how we can help and serve him. It still hasn't been fixed, but we are working and seeing how we can serve him. As soon as that car is fixed, he can get to his new job and be able to drive to church!!!
Our biggest focus is the members. We continue to try to visit and find ideas to help support them. Especially in Lake Nona and in Deaf work, there is little success except through the members. We are learning a lot on how to work with members through the new mission focus on member work. We'll see what we can do to help the members become better member missionaries. I was really impressed with the Ensign being full of member missionary articles. Even the Brethren are focusing on member missionary work. We were told that the door to tracting is closing. The only way to truly find success in conversion and retention will be through the members. I am learning so much on my mission on what kind of member I want to be afterwards.
As we continue to focus on meeting with leaders, we are having some great success! It's amazing how a simple 15 minutes with leadership, both RS Presidents and Ward Mission Leaders, can bring some great insight and ideas to helping the missionary work and ASL work move forward. I'm excited to see what will develop in the upcoming months from these simple visits. I hope soon to be able to understand our role with our High Counselor and Stake Leadership. But slow and steady wins the race.
We've heard about the new changes in Mormon.org, and I read a bit about it in the Ensign. I think it is amazing! I am so excited for how this will really help the members and non-members! Wow! Our new focus is to invite all the members to go onto Mormon.org and create a profile! I wish I'd be able to do it, but I'll wait until after my mission or until the Mission President grants approval.
So, President Hall, as many know, use to be a Football Coach; so many comments we receive from him are typically football analogies. It's a good thing I started learning about football in college (which funny enough, I did to get to know some of the boys I hung out with. HA!) But now, I've got to study up more because I'm starting to notice some of his analogies and comments are going over my head. I recognize them as football analogies (sometimes), but it's not quite clicking in my understanding. I'll get there! :-D
And that's an overview of this past week! All is well here in the ASL program. We've still got a lot to learn, but we're getting better. We're trying to open up more and get out of our comfort shells, and we're allowing the Lord to truly guide us.
