Hello everyone, how is everyone doing? I'm doing pretty well considering this week was the start of duck season. So, low key, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed but it's fine! The Lord will strengthen me! This week was good, we had interviews and an exchange, which was a great distraction from the start of duck season.
On Monday, we went to the market and did some shopping to prepare for the week. Of course, I went to that wonderful ice cream shop. I'm definitely going to take advantage of it while I can. Later that evening, I got to talk to family, which is always the highlight of my week!
On Tuesday, we had district council. Our topic was on the difference between weakness and rebellion. To put it in perspective, are you trying to obey the commandments but just falling short? If so, many think that's rebellion but it's just natural weakness. Sometimes you just don't make it. As long as you are wanting and trying to do better, rebellion is when you blatantly disobey. When you know the rule but do not follow. I loved learning this difference and trying to apply it to myself in life. We also discussed how even the Savior showed physical weakness. In Matthew 26:39, we see that physically, the Savior was struggling to obey the commandments of His Father but He said, "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." The Savior showed this weakness but said, "you know what, not my will be done, but yours." I love His complete submission to the Father. It was a wonderful instruction.
Wednesday and Thursday were normal proselyting days, except on Wednesday night, the Bolga Elders came down for their interviews with the president. I was overjoyed to reunite with Elder Mills again! We had some fun, and he went to his interview, and we met up again at a restaurant called The Wooden. It was absolutely amazing. They have a really big Indian food selection, and there were Indians working everywhere, so I knew it was going to be great! And it was. That night, some of the Bolga Elders stayed at our apartment, and you already know I stayed up way too late chatting with Elder Mills. Thursday was my interview with the president. It's always nice to get to talk to the president one-on-one with no one else listening. He always shares the best insights and instructions.
Friday was my exchange with the Zone Leaders. I went with Elder Walker. To start the day, we had a companionship study, and we talked about remembering what the Lord has done for us. Just as in 1 Nephi 18, Laman and Lemuel had forgotten what the Lord had done for them as they began to sing and dance. Nephi knew that what they were doing was wrong, so he stood up to them and basically said, "you better stop or the Lord is going to punish you." And we know that they tied Nephi up. But my favorite part of this is when Nephi states in verse 11, "And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness; nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he had spoken concerning the wicked." Nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power. I love how we can see that Nephi wasn't happy that he got tied up, but he knew that it had to be done for the Lord to show Laman and Lemuel His power. Pretty cool.I have a lot to learn from Nephi. It was a great study. If Laman and Lemuel would have remembered the Lord helping them in the first place, none of that would have happened.
Saturday! General Conference! As a missionary, this is the best time of the year. There were so many things that I loved that I can't just choose one to put in, but for the Saturday session, my heart always skips a beat when airplanes are mentioned. I must admire how he chose the framework of an aircraft.
Sunday was another great experience. I loved everything about it, especially the talk about how to improve and maintain your testimony. Sometimes I feel as if I have hit a plateau, so that was definitely an inspiring talk for me. And I also wonder why the Prophet bid us all farewell?
Anyway, that's all that I have for you this week. I hope y'all had a wonderful week, and I hope that we can carry our spiritual momentum from this week to the next. Love and miss you all. ~Elder Gilbert
Photos
On the way to our branch president's house to watch conference, our yellow car had a flat tire, and we got to change it! The sad part is we missed two talks.
A few photos from my exchange with Elder Walker.
A very overloaded bus that I thought was going to tip over because it was so top-heavy, and there's a guy sitting on top.
Transportation of cattle in Africa.
Sunset.
Elder Mills and I.
And tiger nut milk. Tigernut is a nut here that is not like any other nut. It's very fibrous but has this super sweet milk when you bite into it. Anyways, I found tigernut milk. It is so good.
