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
These letters are all awesome!! He is doing so well!
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