G'day m8 how ya goin'? So this week was my first week as a
District Leader. Kinda funny to see about half of my bros from the MTC have
already been Zone Leaders for half of their mission and I JUST became a
District Leader. I consider it a blessing that I've served most my mission as a
"normal" missionary, because from what I've heard, leadership
positions are tough!
But this week of this new transfer has definitely been one
for the books. Tuesday was nothing but disappointment after disappointment: a
few of our dinner appointments for the week cancelled, I missed a really
important "new leadership training" meeting because I thought it was
on Wednesday and not on Tuesday (I'm sure that left a good impression on the
new Mission President), our investigator "old man" Ian ended up
dropping us, and then at a youth activity I smashed both of my feet because I
thought it would be a great idea to play indoor soccer with my shoes off. THEN
on Wednesday I ended up getting a call from the mission office saying that a
street camera caught me running a red light (which is a load of trash because
in that intersection you can be in it when the light is green, and then it
turns yellow and then red all while you're IN the intersection. THAT'S how I
got my ticket), and then we were told that during this weekend's Stake-wide
mini mission we were only getting ONE mini-missionary instead of two like we
originally planned. It was just bad news after bad news after bad news, and at
this point it was only Wednesday!
BUT it didn't stay that way! Thursday we ended up getting a
call from the Elders in Caulfield saying that they found someone who lives in
our area who's really keen to meet up with missionaries! So we went over to
this guy Richard's place, and he was like "Elders! Come on in!",
which is something I haven't heard from a non-member in a few months. So yeah,
Richard lives with his girlfriend and their both in their 50's or so, and
Richard's mom is was a member and was baptized about 40 years ago, but passed
away in February and is now REALLY wondering about the church. So it's good
that we've found him, but it doesn't look like we'll be able to meet up with
him again until sometime NEXT week which is a bit unfortunate. We haven't been
able to meet up with Ray yet because he's looking for a job, but don't worry
because we keep close tabs on him as well.
Friday I went to my first DLC, or District Leadership
Council, which is basically where the District Leaders get together with the
Zone Leaders to discuss the progress of each area and each companionship. Since
it was my first time and I've only got literally only two areas to look after
there wasn't much for me to say. This week we have our first District Meeting
as the Eltham District, so I guess we'll see how that goes. Never run a
District Meeting before, so this'll be fun...
Friday night we also had a meeting to pick up our mini
missionary, and even thought it was only one I was still pretty stoked about
it. But you'll never guess who didn't show up: our mini missionary. It was
really a big downer because we had so much planned out for that day, but our
pre-assigned mini missionary didn't even come. Ugh, what a bummer THAT!!!
I ended up getting sick on Sunday, so that wasn't too great
either, and I've still got a bit of remnants from it lingering today. It's okay
though because I can heal from illness pretty quickly, so it should be gone by
tomorrow.
So in my personal studies I have recently begun the book of
Alma. The teachings of Nehor I've found, that God saves EVERYONE no matter if
you're wicked or righteous, is running rampant throughout the world today.
"Lift up your heads and rejoice; for the Lord...redeem[s] all men; and, in
the end; all men should have eternal life." How often do we see this
destructive belief in our society today? Alma the younger even gives a very
obvious warning to it in verse 12 of Alma 1, saying "And were priest craft
to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction."
And boy oh boy is this society headed in that direction because of that belief.
The hardheartedness of people is real, and as the world grows more and more
wicked it is harder and harder to find the elect. But they're out there. Somewhere,
beyond the sea... somewhere, waiting for me...
That's been my week! Hopefully things will start to climb up
from here! We're going on exchanges this week, so that'll also be a first as a
DL, and on Friday I'm going to the eye doctor, hopefully for the last time.
Saturday we've got interviews with President Vidmar, so throughout the week
I've been trying to think of things to say or questions to ask him. Love you
all, take care, and to Austin, good luck in the Philippines mate! And don't
worry, from what I've heard is that the mission provides toilet paper for you
(from members with family serving there). Love you all, and as always, God be
with you till we meet again.
-Elder Landon Cook
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