Alo everyone,
Wishing you an amazing start to the month of September. I hope everyone on Duolingo got your monthly quest badge.
Forgive me this email for my lack of witty comments and stories - this past week I have just been doing a lot of writing and I am feeling a bit fried on typing, haha.
My companion and I were busy working with our friends and contacting lots of referrals which was good. We exchanged to the "Hai Bà Trưng" with the Zone Leaders for a day which was interesting. I realized my entire time being in Hanoi I have only spent my time in 2 areas out of the 4. It was refreshing to see other parts of the city and meet new people. I only have one more church building to visit in the north before I visit them all!
This past week the weather has been really cool. We have had blue skies, some big rainstorms and lots of wind. It was relaxing to bike around and not feel super hot. The traffic was also lower this week because of independence day, which is a bonus. I realized my sense of "seasons" has been completely thrown off - it was very strange to feel weather like it was a spring day.
Spiritual Thought:
Something I have had a challenge with on my mission is feeling like I am "doing something right". Some days I feel really guided by the spirit in the things we teach, decisions we make - sometimes I feel like it all just blows up and burns hotter than the bottom of a bowl of phở. Then, I look back and wonder, "Well, why didn't you just..." or other things like that. I've shared with many that one of my goals is trying to increase and build Christlike Confidence in myself. This can be quite a challenge at times.
Missionary work is unique in a lot of aspects - one in particular being that there isn't necessarily always a clear answer on the things you should do. Of course, we have standards, guidance from leaders, the things we teach from PMG, prayer, etc to help guide us in these decisions. However, they don't really tell you the answer on what exactly to do. Oftentimes it can result in me becoming doubtful or hesitant in making decisions because I am too afraid of making a "bad call".
However, I have learned something: That isn't my job. It never will be. It isn't my job to be perfect, or the best at something, or quite frankly literally anything. My weakness and imperfections can be redeemed and made better through Jesus Christ. Does it mean they are excusable and I don't have to try? No - but it does mean that I can give myself a break and put things in a better perspective.
I have found great comfort in learning to recognize my weaknesses and imperfections. I am grateful I do not have to be perfect - I learned it is too boring to idle in perfection and fear to fail. The times that I was failing the most on my mission, was the time that I was learning the most.
Not certain if this spiritual thought made much sense, but here is the TLDR: Don't let your imperfections immobilize you. Read the "Imperfect Harvest" General Conference talk for more about this. I hope my words or thoughts brought someone comfort.
______________________________
Remember: you are doing better than you think you are!
Love,
Anh Cả Reynolds
Forgive me this email for my lack of witty comments and stories - this past week I have just been doing a lot of writing and I am feeling a bit fried on typing, haha.
My companion and I were busy working with our friends and contacting lots of referrals which was good. We exchanged to the "Hai Bà Trưng" with the Zone Leaders for a day which was interesting. I realized my entire time being in Hanoi I have only spent my time in 2 areas out of the 4. It was refreshing to see other parts of the city and meet new people. I only have one more church building to visit in the north before I visit them all!
This past week the weather has been really cool. We have had blue skies, some big rainstorms and lots of wind. It was relaxing to bike around and not feel super hot. The traffic was also lower this week because of independence day, which is a bonus. I realized my sense of "seasons" has been completely thrown off - it was very strange to feel weather like it was a spring day.
______________________________
Spiritual Thought:
Something I have had a challenge with on my mission is feeling like I am "doing something right". Some days I feel really guided by the spirit in the things we teach, decisions we make - sometimes I feel like it all just blows up and burns hotter than the bottom of a bowl of phở. Then, I look back and wonder, "Well, why didn't you just..." or other things like that. I've shared with many that one of my goals is trying to increase and build Christlike Confidence in myself. This can be quite a challenge at times.
Missionary work is unique in a lot of aspects - one in particular being that there isn't necessarily always a clear answer on the things you should do. Of course, we have standards, guidance from leaders, the things we teach from PMG, prayer, etc to help guide us in these decisions. However, they don't really tell you the answer on what exactly to do. Oftentimes it can result in me becoming doubtful or hesitant in making decisions because I am too afraid of making a "bad call".
However, I have learned something: That isn't my job. It never will be. It isn't my job to be perfect, or the best at something, or quite frankly literally anything. My weakness and imperfections can be redeemed and made better through Jesus Christ. Does it mean they are excusable and I don't have to try? No - but it does mean that I can give myself a break and put things in a better perspective.
I have found great comfort in learning to recognize my weaknesses and imperfections. I am grateful I do not have to be perfect - I learned it is too boring to idle in perfection and fear to fail. The times that I was failing the most on my mission, was the time that I was learning the most.
Not certain if this spiritual thought made much sense, but here is the TLDR: Don't let your imperfections immobilize you. Read the "Imperfect Harvest" General Conference talk for more about this. I hope my words or thoughts brought someone comfort.
______________________________
Remember: you are doing better than you think you are!
Love,
Anh Cả Reynolds
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