Ch 113 Lessons Learned

We had a busy week. I felt like this week was more administration problems than actual missionary work but I know that's not true. Those small and simple moments we spend with anyone are vital and important. Because at the end of the day, most people forget what they spend their money on, but they do remember who they spent their time with. They do remember how it made them feel. And they do remember how much we've helped. In the last week, Elder Holman and I had a big test of patience and love... A test harder than I've ever had to deal with as a leader. When I was a trainer the hardest lesson for me to learn was to love your companion, even when they don't love you back and especially when they don't want your love. When I was a District Leader the hardest lesson for me was learning how to control my mouth... to be composed and deliberate and intentional with how I want to change or inspire others. And I struggled for some time because I would value what I want to say over what needed to be said. When I was an Office Elder I struggled with discipline, with actually organizing myself and doing what I said I would do. and it was hard because it's hard to start a good habit and it's easy to lose a good habit. Kinda brings the whole "by the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread all thy life." And I guess this week the challenge was loving them enough to give them inspired correction. 

I remember when I was little I always wondered why back in Jesus' time everyone hated him, as a missionary I realize now that it's probably because the things he taught are hard. It's not easy, it is simple, but it requires us to change. It requires us to repent. And it is a hard process. I know in my life I've had my fair share of sackcloth and ashes, but at the time we had the decision to bring others to repentance or not, we could've hidden it but we chose not to because it is needed. It's hard because you feel for what they're going through but it is by their transgressions and the restitution process that they can come back and be made clean. Asking others to repent at first may seem hard but in the grand scheme of things, but it is a small price to pay, to receive everlasting grace from His infinite Atonement. 

Also, this next part is an excerpt from Elder Bjornn's weekly emails but it is literally what I wanted to say, with a little extra. These are some notes from the General Conference

Jeffery R. Holland - His finish was epic, I wanted to scream and cheer, but held back. but seriously it sounded like the beginning of an epic mixtape... by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Gerrit W. Gong - Really cool process about how to stay strong in our covenants.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf - BILBO BAGGINS!!! "I'm going on an adventure!" Brilliant analogy.
Henry B. Eyring - True happiness. Christ descended below all, are ye better than He?

Peter M. Johnson - Knowing Satan's intention to bring deception, distraction, and discouragement to our lives
M. Russell Ballard - I just got way emotional in this talk. The way he talks about his wife is so amazing, he always talks about her in every talk. I love this talk especially. If I can be a quarter of a man Elder Ballard is, life would be great. His testimony and valiant service as a husband, father, and apostle (in that order) is an example to us all.
Russell M. Nelson - NEXT APRIL IS GONNA BE CRAZY!!!

-Elder Villanueva

Tayo Na Pilipinas! (Let's Go Philippines!)