Busy, busy

Sorry! Couple of things came up in the office yesterday. But here I am! I'm aliiiiive!

 I'm pretty fried right now, because I've been working a lot. But at least I had a small P-Day. I can see why some people become workaholics...the working cycle becomes familiar, and after some time...easy to follow.

 I guess that's why it's so important we have a good source, like God, to tell us where it is we need to be a workaholic. Because I know being a workaholic like I'm being right now wouldn't work in a marriage, let alone with kids. But hey, I'm not married. SO. I'm gonna work until my arms (or in the case of the office...fingers!) fall off. WORK TIL YOU DROP BABY

 Willingness to work also helps. It helps get things that are sometimes neglected done, like the study sessions, getting to bed on time. I like to have things like that to have a little regularity. Regularity is a luxury that sometimes I don't have.

 Another thing I've noticed, which is related to being a workoholic, is RESTING. Resting is really important. Two weeks without a real P-Day helped me to appreciate the value of just being able to CHILL for a bit, without worrying about doing much of anything. Obviously P-Day's not vacation, as it's our time to maintain all the little details that accumulate in the form of dust and other dirt in the house, and to restock our coffers, but in general it's very restful when done properly. I love my rest time now.

 Rest is also something that I got as I listened to E. Bednar, because I got a few things that I normally don't do(ask myself life-bothering questions!) answered. I loved being with an apostle. I just sat back...and focused on getting as much out of it as I could. I didn't have to teach. I didn't have to demand. I didn't even focus on writing every little thing he said, because he told us not to. It was very neat. But I need to make this one a letter - I believe that it's worth that much, to review the thoughts and learning I had again by writing out the experience again. I just gotta make sure you guys can read it later.

One thing I would like to share, though, is a connection that I made with his words and a talk that he had assigned the mission to study. E. Bednar gave us the talk Converted unto the Lord, which talked about the parable of the ten virgins, among other things. He compares the possession and increase of oil in the lamps of the virgins to the increase of testimony we have to have at every opportunity, though he says it's "drop by drop". Quoting him here:

Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no.

As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible.

As I've accumulated time here on the mission, I agree that the greatest strengths I feel in my life, especially the spiritual ones, are the results of long, concentrated efforts in development. It doesn't all happen at once - we don't go from testimony issues to Brother of Jared in a week. It requires long, and careful studies, pondering, and seeking the Lord's guidance in whatever forms available. I'm grateful for the time that I've had to invest in learning about God's communication with us, and I look forward to all the time in the future I'll have to connecting my life with the content of the scriptures and the words of modern prophets.

E. Bednar, actually, connected this parable with the brother of Jared. He made an interesting point about how it must have only been possible for the brother of Jared to see the stones after a few were already lit. He repeated this concept many times as he spoke about it: "uma por uma", or "one by one". He told us that Jesus, although he was certainly capable of snapping his fingers and just lighting them all at once, only touched the stones "uma por uma" because in that way his faith was allowed to develop.

In the same way, God stimulates this process of development of faith by showing us the experiences we need for the augmentation of our faith in parts at a time. In the long run, this is the way we develop a lasting converstion to Him and not to any single event or other person or thing. By perservering, we see more and more stones illuminate our spiritual vision, and we become less and less afraid and more and more sure of our path. E. Bednar says that in his experience as a local and general authority, he has seen many people "light up" in this same way - and I've been fortunate enough to see it a few times too on my own mission. I'm grateful for this chance I have to help others make the choice to let God touch the mundane parts of their own lifes and transform them into brilliant blessings of the Atonement.

Alright. Well, something tells me that I've written all that I should for now. I'm gonna go rest for a bit...because I got into the office at 7:30 to attend to something, and technically office hours aren't until 10:30. So...until next week, gente! Tchauuuuuu! Everybody, don't forget to WRITE ME and let me know you're alive!