March 22- Email to Mom and Dad

McClain Easton Mar 22, 2021, 3:28 PM to me, Michael Hey! It has been about a month since I have sent an email to the two of you, and have been thinking a lot this week that I would really like to, and share what made this week so good. Every day in personal study this week, I took about 20 minutes to study my patriarchal blessing, and to find scriptures to cross reference and looked up several of the topics in the topical guide. I was particularly impressed by some of the following things: It mentions several times one of my greatesg purposes here is to develop my own witness, thru experience, of the power of the gospel, and to share that to bring about the gathering of Israel. Prayer and my personal relationship with heavenly father are consistently highlighted. It outlines that I will have charity as I seek to pray and put my energy into it. This week, I found that charity for the people we serve motivates me to work. I am growing to love our branch, and Jose, and because of this, I was able to lose myself in the work completely this week. However I am also finding a weakness in how charitable I am. Back at home I got along great with everyone, that is a much different story with a companion for 24 hours. I loved elder Cannon, but I really had to learn patience with him, he moves a much different pace than me. I am really enjoying elder Lefgren and we are getting along great, but he also needs help with a lot of Spanish, so again I am learning to move at another pace. Elder Ostler tested my will and showed me how I want to treat those closest to me. Charity for the people I serve is critical to how hard I am willing to work, however as much as anything developing a genuine appreciation for my companions seems that it will be beneficial for life. That becomes especially tough when I am tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed, but that is when I can learn the most! I love how it notes I will have the gift of revelation, and that I must proceed with confidence. Sometimes it is hard to be here when the rest of the world seems to be oppening up and we aren't too much, but this reminded that I felt inspired to come, and need to trust in that! To finish it notes I will learn love unfeigned and pure. I love DnC 121:41, which summarizes this well. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; I wish I could have more control, over my companion, over the work, our investigators, costa rica, and so much, but this verse illustrates that the priesthood is about accepting Gods will, and learning to love even when you aren't fully in control of everything. Easier said than done! This week we had an 8 year old baptism, and it was incredible. I realized that is the first time I have seen a baptism in a while, and the spirit was so strong. My frustration with branch leadership faded away as I saw them all loving one another, and more than anything felt the spirit so strongly. I was grateful for the member who we haven't had an awesome relationship with that brought Jose, and for the 1st counselor in the branch presidency who has been difficult to work with for allowing us to bring an investigator to watch his daughters special day. The few active members we have all showed up, and it was powerful. I look forward to the day when we have the opportunity to bring Jose into the group. April 24th, so I am crossing my fingers I am in SC, or this mission for that matter, at least until then! Love you and talk soon! McClain