Tuesday, November 13, 2012
July 25
What is up!! It has been a great week :) Elder Wesley is a great companion. He's from Hyderbad also. He's 24 years old, served for 9 months so far, has two brothers, joined the church back in 2007, and is a electronics engineer. We don't have a big teaching river right now, but we are working hard to find and get referrals. He's a great guy and I hope that we become great friends in these next well, now it's 5 weeks. I was going to say 6 weeks.
Bowling is expensive. In fact, today some Elders were going to go bowling, but Elder Wesley and I don't have the funds to go out and do that. (Nor the interest haha) The bowling arenas are nice though and yes they are air-conditioned.
Which makes me think. There is A/C here but it's small things for only one room. There is no central A/C in many houses/businesses that I've gone to. There many people that also have water air conditioning. It's a unit that holds water in the bottom of the container and the fan blows which draws up some of the water to help cool things down. Thought you'd like to know.
Yeah there are many beggars. It's sad to see, but my thinking is that even though I can't physically do a lot for them right now, I'm indirectly helping them by sharing the gospel. When the nation understands the gospel, then will the poor and rich help each other and there won't be this poverty. Now that's YEARS down the road, but that's my mentality.
That's exciting to hear that Dylan has his papers almost finished! Glad he also found a job :) It'll be fun to hear where he serves. (Think I might be able to skype you during the time he opens his call? hehe That would be a fun little extra hello)
Yeah it's the first time I'm reading the New Testament and it's amazing. I love reading about Christ and getting to read what he did. It's one thing to grow hearing the stories, but now I get to go in depth into Christ's life. What chapter are you in? I'm in chapter 4. You must be ahead because I don't remember beatitudes.
Spiritual:
It's been a good week. Elder Wesley is a great companion! We are working hard to find people and to build relationships with the members. We love this work and are enjoying trying to get people to hear what we have to share. It's interesting to see the engagement that people we personally contact and those that are referrals from members have in what we teach. Both groups can embrace the message we share, but the example that the members have set, help the referrals to be engaged more.
We also set goals of striving to do our best to be exactly obedient. I love the noticeable difference in the way the Spirit is felt as we have strived to do our part in being exactly obedient. Granted we are human and make mistakes ;) but the Spirit and the joy that is felt doing this work when we try our best to be obedient is noticeable. I love it!
I know Heavenly Father is watching over this work that I am blessed to be a part of. There is no doubt that he guides and helps us. About a month ago, Elder Bunga and I were trying to find "lost sheep.'' We were looking for an address and as we paused to find where out where we were, Elder Bunga noticed a woman, wearing a cross, walk into her home. We went to her door to ''ask for directions''. As we talked we brought who we were and if we could return to share a message. Jump one month ahead. Elder Wesley and I were trying to find lost sheep during an open hour and found this inactive elderly woman. Her husband was in the hospital and sadly she did not want us to help. The next day, Elder Wesley and I were in the area of the woman, wearing the cross, from a month ago. As we talked and got to know the family, we discovered that the father of the home had a brother in the hospital. He mentioned his brother's name and when we heard it asked if he might be related to the inactive sister we met a the day before. His brother is the husband of the inactive woman! It was too cool to see something like this play out. We will be meeting them later this week. Hopefully, we can somehow soften the heart of the inactive woman we met as we teach her in-laws.
I'm grateful to serve and bear the name of my Savior. I'm grateful that I can teach people who their Heavenly Father is and that Jesus Christ is more than a name. My Savior has given me so much. I hope that I can serve the people here in India in such a way that they too may realize Jesus Christ is truly their Redeemer. It's a blessing to learn, grow, and serve my Savior. serve my Savior.
I love you guys! Hope you have a fantastic week. Hugs (and Kisses to those to it applies haha) to ya'll. I love you and hope you know I'm doing well and glad I can serve. :)
Love
Elder Devin Bastian
Bowling is expensive. In fact, today some Elders were going to go bowling, but Elder Wesley and I don't have the funds to go out and do that. (Nor the interest haha) The bowling arenas are nice though and yes they are air-conditioned.
Which makes me think. There is A/C here but it's small things for only one room. There is no central A/C in many houses/businesses that I've gone to. There many people that also have water air conditioning. It's a unit that holds water in the bottom of the container and the fan blows which draws up some of the water to help cool things down. Thought you'd like to know.
Yeah there are many beggars. It's sad to see, but my thinking is that even though I can't physically do a lot for them right now, I'm indirectly helping them by sharing the gospel. When the nation understands the gospel, then will the poor and rich help each other and there won't be this poverty. Now that's YEARS down the road, but that's my mentality.
That's exciting to hear that Dylan has his papers almost finished! Glad he also found a job :) It'll be fun to hear where he serves. (Think I might be able to skype you during the time he opens his call? hehe That would be a fun little extra hello)
Yeah it's the first time I'm reading the New Testament and it's amazing. I love reading about Christ and getting to read what he did. It's one thing to grow hearing the stories, but now I get to go in depth into Christ's life. What chapter are you in? I'm in chapter 4. You must be ahead because I don't remember beatitudes.
Spiritual:
It's been a good week. Elder Wesley is a great companion! We are working hard to find people and to build relationships with the members. We love this work and are enjoying trying to get people to hear what we have to share. It's interesting to see the engagement that people we personally contact and those that are referrals from members have in what we teach. Both groups can embrace the message we share, but the example that the members have set, help the referrals to be engaged more.
We also set goals of striving to do our best to be exactly obedient. I love the noticeable difference in the way the Spirit is felt as we have strived to do our part in being exactly obedient. Granted we are human and make mistakes ;) but the Spirit and the joy that is felt doing this work when we try our best to be obedient is noticeable. I love it!
I know Heavenly Father is watching over this work that I am blessed to be a part of. There is no doubt that he guides and helps us. About a month ago, Elder Bunga and I were trying to find "lost sheep.'' We were looking for an address and as we paused to find where out where we were, Elder Bunga noticed a woman, wearing a cross, walk into her home. We went to her door to ''ask for directions''. As we talked we brought who we were and if we could return to share a message. Jump one month ahead. Elder Wesley and I were trying to find lost sheep during an open hour and found this inactive elderly woman. Her husband was in the hospital and sadly she did not want us to help. The next day, Elder Wesley and I were in the area of the woman, wearing the cross, from a month ago. As we talked and got to know the family, we discovered that the father of the home had a brother in the hospital. He mentioned his brother's name and when we heard it asked if he might be related to the inactive sister we met a the day before. His brother is the husband of the inactive woman! It was too cool to see something like this play out. We will be meeting them later this week. Hopefully, we can somehow soften the heart of the inactive woman we met as we teach her in-laws.
I'm grateful to serve and bear the name of my Savior. I'm grateful that I can teach people who their Heavenly Father is and that Jesus Christ is more than a name. My Savior has given me so much. I hope that I can serve the people here in India in such a way that they too may realize Jesus Christ is truly their Redeemer. It's a blessing to learn, grow, and serve my Savior. serve my Savior.
I love you guys! Hope you have a fantastic week. Hugs (and Kisses to those to it applies haha) to ya'll. I love you and hope you know I'm doing well and glad I can serve. :)
Love
Elder Devin Bastian
July 18
Holy Smokes!!! So many emails today!! I don't think I'll have time to respond to all, but I'll do the best that I can.
The last week has been good. I've been reading the Book of Mormon and I actually started on the New Testament. Wow! Jesus Christ knew how to teach and expound the doctrine! It's humbling to read about his life right now as I'm striving to make adjustments in my life that line up to his teachings. I read that email you sent mom and the point you made of changing but beating myself up as I change is actually something I had thought about this last week. Thanks for that :) I was actually reminded about that, I was sent here because I have unique qualities and a personality that is unlike anyone else. There are things I have learned and come to understand that can touch the life of someone else unlike anyone else. I don't need to change who I am, but I can change in a way that aligns my life, my personality, and my experiences with Christ's teachings. I definitely believe that Heavenly Father is watching over me because of the things I learn during the week are then solidified by you, mom and dad, in your emails. It's cool to see how I'm taught during the week and then without you knowing it type up and email me what I learned. Our Heavenly Father is absolutely a loving Father.
Tomorrow is transfers!! I'm a little nervous because this will be the first time without a trainer now! There's a program the church came out with that is 12 week training program for new Elders that is suppose to help get them adjusted to missionary work and know the doctrine quicker. Now the 12 weeks are over and A) Elder Bunga leaves tomorrow B) Tomorrow I get my first post training program. It's going to be interesting! haha I'll do good though. I'm actually excited to get to know who it'll be and start working with him.
Forgot to tell you we have a total of three Amercian couples serving here in India now. Capners, Crookstons, and Stevens. The Stevens actually came in 2 weeks ago and they're from Houston, Texas. Think you know the Stevens at all?
It's really cool to see as a missionary how much this life is all about preparing ourselves to return to live with Heavenly Father. Everything in life is helping us to prepare to meet God if we are following the commandments and counsel he gives to us.
It's cooled off a bit, but the humidity here has jumped up expediently! I don't know what I like more the heat or the humidity. Both make me sweat profusely! haha
Spiritual
The line of authority is spectacular when thinking about the calling that I have been called to. I was reading in Preach My Gospel Ch.1 My Purpose and in there, there is a chapter that talks about the authority and power of being a missionary. It helped me realize the honor, obligation, and privilege it is to be a missionary. When you trace the priesthood from the stake president to the 70 to the quorum of the 12 to the prophet to Jesus Christ. It’s cool to think that I have been ordained by Christ to do this work.
It’s a little nerve wracking for me to know that tomorrow I’ll be the senior in the area and that I will have to lead and show my companion around the area in this upcoming transfer. However, I’m excited and ready to go about this work with a mind set the work and ready to go do what is expected of me J
Once again I’m grateful that I can serve as a missionary and notice the things that Heavenly Father is trying to teach me. The scriptures teach the doctrine of Christ magnificently. There are amazing stories, parables, testimonies, experiences of God’s grace and love for us, and the truth that is taught to us about the divinity and the nature of the Godhead and our purpose here on Earth. My eyes have been opened to how the Book of Mormon teaches the Doctrine so many times! I love it and as I have read the pages of the Book of Mormon it’s empowering to see the amount of love our Savior, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father has for us.
To save time I'm going to go to each of your email and write back. I hope I'll be able to reply to all :) I LOVE YOU!!
Elder Devin Bastian
The last week has been good. I've been reading the Book of Mormon and I actually started on the New Testament. Wow! Jesus Christ knew how to teach and expound the doctrine! It's humbling to read about his life right now as I'm striving to make adjustments in my life that line up to his teachings. I read that email you sent mom and the point you made of changing but beating myself up as I change is actually something I had thought about this last week. Thanks for that :) I was actually reminded about that, I was sent here because I have unique qualities and a personality that is unlike anyone else. There are things I have learned and come to understand that can touch the life of someone else unlike anyone else. I don't need to change who I am, but I can change in a way that aligns my life, my personality, and my experiences with Christ's teachings. I definitely believe that Heavenly Father is watching over me because of the things I learn during the week are then solidified by you, mom and dad, in your emails. It's cool to see how I'm taught during the week and then without you knowing it type up and email me what I learned. Our Heavenly Father is absolutely a loving Father.
Tomorrow is transfers!! I'm a little nervous because this will be the first time without a trainer now! There's a program the church came out with that is 12 week training program for new Elders that is suppose to help get them adjusted to missionary work and know the doctrine quicker. Now the 12 weeks are over and A) Elder Bunga leaves tomorrow B) Tomorrow I get my first post training program. It's going to be interesting! haha I'll do good though. I'm actually excited to get to know who it'll be and start working with him.
Forgot to tell you we have a total of three Amercian couples serving here in India now. Capners, Crookstons, and Stevens. The Stevens actually came in 2 weeks ago and they're from Houston, Texas. Think you know the Stevens at all?
It's really cool to see as a missionary how much this life is all about preparing ourselves to return to live with Heavenly Father. Everything in life is helping us to prepare to meet God if we are following the commandments and counsel he gives to us.
It's cooled off a bit, but the humidity here has jumped up expediently! I don't know what I like more the heat or the humidity. Both make me sweat profusely! haha
Spiritual
The line of authority is spectacular when thinking about the calling that I have been called to. I was reading in Preach My Gospel Ch.1 My Purpose and in there, there is a chapter that talks about the authority and power of being a missionary. It helped me realize the honor, obligation, and privilege it is to be a missionary. When you trace the priesthood from the stake president to the 70 to the quorum of the 12 to the prophet to Jesus Christ. It’s cool to think that I have been ordained by Christ to do this work.
It’s a little nerve wracking for me to know that tomorrow I’ll be the senior in the area and that I will have to lead and show my companion around the area in this upcoming transfer. However, I’m excited and ready to go about this work with a mind set the work and ready to go do what is expected of me J
Once again I’m grateful that I can serve as a missionary and notice the things that Heavenly Father is trying to teach me. The scriptures teach the doctrine of Christ magnificently. There are amazing stories, parables, testimonies, experiences of God’s grace and love for us, and the truth that is taught to us about the divinity and the nature of the Godhead and our purpose here on Earth. My eyes have been opened to how the Book of Mormon teaches the Doctrine so many times! I love it and as I have read the pages of the Book of Mormon it’s empowering to see the amount of love our Savior, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father has for us.
To save time I'm going to go to each of your email and write back. I hope I'll be able to reply to all :) I LOVE YOU!!
Elder Devin Bastian
June 27 - A good 'ol hello from India!
Hi Familia :) Here's a good 'ol hello from India!
I don't what it is, but I feel like we are not doing enough. Yet we taught 19 lessons this week to investigators. WHY!!?? I feel like my exceptions are too high and yet I don't want to disappoint the Lord. I want to have fun and enjoy, but this life is different. Being a missionary is one thing, but then being a missionary with a companion that thinks of going home all the time, not being able to speak to members and investigators because of not knowing Hindi is FRUSTRATING!, and not having you guys to counsel with is tough... I miss you guys....
I want to say that even though this is hard, I'm trying. I hope that it's a good effort. It's hard to express how different mission life is here in India. We have a lot more tasks and responsibilities as a missionaries here because it's first generation and we have to help pick up the slack that these new members don't understand is their responsibilities. I'm not the only missionary that has had similar thoughts about the work here. Ohh! Currently there are 10 American missionaries right! Crazy!
So I'm doing what I can to feel good. Things I work on to help me feel good are waking up on time, exercising, having personal studies, listening to church music, and going to bed on time. I am amazed at the difference life is here and back home. I have to figure things out on my own here. Life doesn't feel like a set schedule or a least like I know what needs to happen everyday. So that's where I have to go out and think for myself.
President Jackson leaves this Saturday and President Sackley comes Saturday. Tuesday we had a missionary farewell for President Jackson. It was really fun :)
That's SWEET Dylan got his first sell! I wrote him last week and I send him my letters to him. Hopeful he gets them!! haha He's in my prayers as are all of you.
Mikky your photo of Spyro was AMAZING!!! I'm glad you like summer school. Hopefully you can go to Girl's camp. It'd be way fun to go in the mountains.
Mom thank you for your love and support. Like I said this is hard, but this is the right thing and I'm trying to do what I can to be a good missionary. I love the FHE unbroken chain. Kodo's to ya'll!
Dad: Thunder LOST :( :( I was totally rooting for them. What did you mean when you said you were swaying after the lesson? The Inheritance series is way good! I will pray for Wyatt too. That's got to be hard. He's a great guy :)
I would like to thank you for the encouragement you give to me when I write to you. It’s nice to see that I’m doing better than I think I am. Haha
We’ve been having some good lessons with our investigators this last week. It’s fun to see how the gospel can bring a spark to people. Our recent converts, Sunny and Saker, are anxiously engaged in helping their friends and family know about the gospel. They’ve seen it change them and bring a lot of comfort and joy so they now want to help others know of it too.
I In my studies, I’ve been trying to learn the lessons as best as I can so that I might be an effective instrument for Heavenly Father in this work. I’m trying to memorized scriptures and write questions that I can ask and also study the answers to.
I’m grateful that I may serve my Heavenly Father here in India. I hope that I can be the servant he wants me to be. I hope that I can help members and investigators alike. Each play such a significant part in the church.
Thanks again for your love and prayers. I know this is a good thing to be on a mission. I know Heavenly Father wants me here. I know the gospel is true. The Book of Mormon has given me a lot of peace as I strive to learn from Him. Thanks again for your love :)
Love
Elder Devin Bastian
P.S. I'm trying to send photos but there's a lot of viruses on this computer. I'll have to send next week.
I don't what it is, but I feel like we are not doing enough. Yet we taught 19 lessons this week to investigators. WHY!!?? I feel like my exceptions are too high and yet I don't want to disappoint the Lord. I want to have fun and enjoy, but this life is different. Being a missionary is one thing, but then being a missionary with a companion that thinks of going home all the time, not being able to speak to members and investigators because of not knowing Hindi is FRUSTRATING!, and not having you guys to counsel with is tough... I miss you guys....
I want to say that even though this is hard, I'm trying. I hope that it's a good effort. It's hard to express how different mission life is here in India. We have a lot more tasks and responsibilities as a missionaries here because it's first generation and we have to help pick up the slack that these new members don't understand is their responsibilities. I'm not the only missionary that has had similar thoughts about the work here. Ohh! Currently there are 10 American missionaries right! Crazy!
So I'm doing what I can to feel good. Things I work on to help me feel good are waking up on time, exercising, having personal studies, listening to church music, and going to bed on time. I am amazed at the difference life is here and back home. I have to figure things out on my own here. Life doesn't feel like a set schedule or a least like I know what needs to happen everyday. So that's where I have to go out and think for myself.
President Jackson leaves this Saturday and President Sackley comes Saturday. Tuesday we had a missionary farewell for President Jackson. It was really fun :)
That's SWEET Dylan got his first sell! I wrote him last week and I send him my letters to him. Hopeful he gets them!! haha He's in my prayers as are all of you.
Mikky your photo of Spyro was AMAZING!!! I'm glad you like summer school. Hopefully you can go to Girl's camp. It'd be way fun to go in the mountains.
Mom thank you for your love and support. Like I said this is hard, but this is the right thing and I'm trying to do what I can to be a good missionary. I love the FHE unbroken chain. Kodo's to ya'll!
Dad: Thunder LOST :( :( I was totally rooting for them. What did you mean when you said you were swaying after the lesson? The Inheritance series is way good! I will pray for Wyatt too. That's got to be hard. He's a great guy :)
I would like to thank you for the encouragement you give to me when I write to you. It’s nice to see that I’m doing better than I think I am. Haha
We’ve been having some good lessons with our investigators this last week. It’s fun to see how the gospel can bring a spark to people. Our recent converts, Sunny and Saker, are anxiously engaged in helping their friends and family know about the gospel. They’ve seen it change them and bring a lot of comfort and joy so they now want to help others know of it too.
I In my studies, I’ve been trying to learn the lessons as best as I can so that I might be an effective instrument for Heavenly Father in this work. I’m trying to memorized scriptures and write questions that I can ask and also study the answers to.
I’m grateful that I may serve my Heavenly Father here in India. I hope that I can be the servant he wants me to be. I hope that I can help members and investigators alike. Each play such a significant part in the church.
Thanks again for your love and prayers. I know this is a good thing to be on a mission. I know Heavenly Father wants me here. I know the gospel is true. The Book of Mormon has given me a lot of peace as I strive to learn from Him. Thanks again for your love :)
Love
Elder Devin Bastian
P.S. I'm trying to send photos but there's a lot of viruses on this computer. I'll have to send next week.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
June 20, 2012
Hi Mom, Dad, Dylan, Mikky, Brianna, Amanda, Sophia, and Stephen!!!
I love it when I get to come and read emails from home! It's
wonderful!! We had District Conference this last week which was really
good. haha At least the parts that I was able to listen to and enjoy! We
had 14 investigators at the Conference and I was watching over them to
make sure they were okay. Two of them (an eloped couple) actually tried
to sneak out undetected, but I saw them. Alas they were very keen on
leaving even after talking to them about the importance of the meeting
and yada yada. In essence they left. :(
My companion is giving me the silent treatment.... and your
talk mom has helped me a lot. (It's been a great tool and help!!) I have
been reviewing myself time and time again to see if I need to change
something about myself and then going out and serving Elder Bunga. It's
been difficult and trying but I've seen how charity is extremely
important in the gospel. On top of that the love and things you do to
show you're trying want things to work out will not always be recognized
or even respected. Your talk, mom, is where it's help me find strength
and hope. I'm doing my best to show that love and charity while also
doing my part in being the missionary I'm suppose to be. I am looking
for ways that I can help the circumstance and then going out and doing
them. Christ's Atonement is spectacular and absolutely nourishing for
the saint and sinner. I hope to show more gratitude for his precious
gift he has given us.
Thank you for the love and support ya'll give me!! I love your emails!
A little tid bit: When people ask where I'm from I tell them, "I
grew up in Oklahoma, but right before coming on mission my family
shifted (Indian word for moved; I'll bet you I will use it when I come
back home) to Utah. It's funny talking the Utah Elders. I know of the
areas they talk about, but when they get into everyday life and other
things about Utah I'm lost! For me I'm a documented missionary from
Utah, but most definitely I am from Oklahoma. I was thinking about it
the other day 5 grade to Graduation from High School was in Oklahoma.
Half of memories and experiences in my life, Oklahoma. That's why I've
done this introduction. It's who I am. I feel like I'm changing a lot
with only 2 months into being a missionary. (Almost 3 months!!! That is
weird it DOES NOT feel that long.) That feeling of changing is a big
part in why I do that introduction. I'm trying to change in a
Christ-like manner, but remain the Devin Randall Bastian I have grown
into. I want to hold on to who I am but become the man Christ wants me
to be.
I SWEAT LIKE A PIG HERE!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so blasted HOT!!
Those handkerchiefs we bought right before coming on my mission are a
life-saver!
Spiritual:
District Conference was really good. Elder
Bunga and I went on splits to pick investigators up. Fourteen people came to
District Conference. Three of those investigators now have a baptismal date!
It’s fun to be a missionary.
It can also be trying. However, I’m keeping
my head up because it is always better to look up. Being a missionary is a lot
different than what I expected, but it is teaching me a lot. I’m trying to do
my best to learn and become the Preach My Gospel missionary that I can be.
There’s a lot to learn, but I know I can take on some/many of those tools and
skills to help God’s children learn and understand the gospel. I’m grateful
that I’ve got a good companion J He’s teaching me directly and indirectly.
I hope that I can learn quickly and be that
missionary that is needed from me. I know the gospel is true. I will grow and
continue to learn as I exercise faith, diligence, charity, and the other
attributes of Jesus Christ. His teachings help me in many varieties and I am
grateful I have him to turn for help and guidance. He will touch the lives of
everyone and I get to play a part in that J
Sorry
no photos today :( I did put some on the site last week though. I love
you guys. Thank you again for helping me and giving me so much support
and love.
Love,
Elder Devin Bastian
Loves from India
I'm sorry I don't have much time to email you. :/ I have so much I
want to express to you and share how much Heavenly Father has blessed
me. I love being a missionary. There are so many things I'm learning! :)
I hope that you can see that in my emails home. I know Heavenly Father
loves us and cares for our needs. I love you and hope to email and
answer things you have told me.
Love your son,
Elder Bastian
1st Stake in India formed
It's crazy how
quickly time flies. The last week has been good. On Sunday, May 27th,
I baptized two of Elder Bunga's and my investigators. That's the first
time I EVER baptized anyone! It's amazing to see the joy and happiness
the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings into people's lives. The 27th also
marked a huge milestone in the church. India received it's first stake
here in India! Elder Oaks formed the stake. The building which is now
the stake center is Elder Bunga's home branch. Pretty exciting!
Thank you Mom, Dad,
Dylan, Mikayla, Brianna, Amanda, Sophia, and Stephen for all the time,
thoughts, prayers, and much more you are doing for me.
It's appreciated and I hope you know I appreciate and love what you
do.
To me it's amazing how hard it can be to try to convey the love,
peace, joy, etc. the gospel has given to me and put it into a lesson
where the student can feel the same conviction for themselves. I'm
trying my best to learn Chapter 3 in Preach My Gospel better than I do
because I do want to teach others better than I am. I want to help them
understand for themselves the importance this message has. The only way
to get better at that is by studying. I love personal study. It's my time to learn and hopefully as I study each day for the next 2 years I can understand the gospel much better. :)
Missionary
life is getting easier now and comes much more naturally doing what I
do. Several of my worries is that I'm not doing enough, learning quick
enough, or helping enough people, but that's the perfectionist in me.
Everyday I'll work hard and do my best to serve the best I can that day.
It's frustrating not being able to express my thoughts on this better. I
feel I'm explaining well enough my joys and worries well enough. Yet
going back and reading it lacks the emotions, experiences, and extended
thoughts that are connected to the service I'm doing. I am slowly
growing to enjoy this and hope that I love this work immensely.
Spiritual:
It’s amazing how
quickly one week can go by. Haha When focusing on the needs of others, time
flys by.
There have been many things that have gone
through my head when talking about missionary work. It seems like there is much
to do here. I talked to Elder Bunga about this and he helped me a lot to know my jobs.
The specialized training helped to answer this also. I realize that a lot of
this is and is not my calling. I am here to work on missionary work. If I truly
want to help the church here then I focus on my calling as a missionary. The
thoughts of everything are these: There’s
home teaching needed to be put together and to get done, getting callings for
recent converts, make some callings up so everyone has a calling or find a list
of callings to give to branch president, getting lesson 5 lessons done with
recent converts, attendance roll sheets to go around on Sunday to help track
who comes to church, do young men and young women happen each week, does each
organization have a president AND counselors, announcements need to be made in
elder’s quorum, and having BMCM run better with all leaders in attendance and
our needs to be heard. Yea… a lot of these are not my responsibilities, but
it’s things I’ve noticed. What do I do? I focus on being a missionary. I have
teaching to do, inviting all to come unto Christ, strengthening sacrament attendance,
focusing on less actives and recent converts, helping eligible young men go on
missions (which will in turn strengthen the church), getting to KNOW and TEACH
chapter 3 better. There’s much to do on my end. My focus is on missionary work.
I’m sorry if these thoughts are wrong to put in here, but it’s something that
has been bugging me and this last week has helped to answer what I should focus
on. Your specialized training and Elder Bunga helped me understand where my
focus needs to be.
Being on his mission has already taught me
a lot and it’s also fun and enjoyable. The Manner of Happiness lesson helps to
point that out. No matter what I go through, if I live righteously there’s much
to be grateful for and happy about! Scriptures, Temples, Church, Knowing about
the Plan of Salvation, having the priesthood, having a loving and caring
family, having a modern day prophet, praying, etc. These things have given me
great joy and peace in life. I wanted to share this spectacular message to
others and that’s why I’m here J
I want to be able to teach Chapter 3 in
Preach My Gospel better than I’m doing, but a common theme that I constantly
have in my life is understanding the virtue of patience. Understanding won’t
come all at once, but as I study the scriptures, pray, keep having experience
while serving my Heavenly Father, and keep the commandments and mission rules,
I will learn. That’s the way life works!
I had the privilege of baptizing two of
our investigators this last Sunday. (First time EVER baptizing) It’s exciting
to see how much they have learned and grown. It’s amazing to see how much I’ve
learned and grown with them because their first lesson with missionaries was on
my first day in Delhi. One month later, they are baptized and I’ve been serving
here for one month.
Love your brother and son
Elder Devin Bastian
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