Staying strong

 

Hey everyone!

Well, now I am one week older in the mission. The week has not been the most eventful, I hate to say. Due to personal issues back home, my companion has been a bit stressed out lately. As a result, I have stayed in my apartment with him a lot this week. It has been a bit dull, being in the apartments like this, but a job to be done is never more important than a person to be loved. That's my opinion on the issue anyway. My companion has spent a lot of this extra time working out, and I have joined him for some of this. This has been pretty good for me - working out is something which I have not done much of before, even in my mission calling as an exercise coordinator. So, it has been good to be able to work that in to my daily schedule as a missionary.

I have also been a bit stressed out this week - having nothing to do is one thing which bugs me, no offense to my companion. I have found that, aside from scripture study and personal prayer, one of the best ways to manage stress is to work to clean up the apartment. It gives the mind something to do aside from stress itself out more than it already has, and when you are done, the domicile is nicely clean. I was even able to work on cleaning up the bathroom one particularly stressful day (trust me, it needed it). So, if you ever find that you are having a tough day, scrub a few dishes clean or wipe up some spills that have been being ignored for too long. 

Anyway, Elder Duncan of the Quorum of the Seventy, as you may already know, is coming to visit the mission this next week. The choir has been practicing a special song for this special visit, and the mission has been getting haircuts to prepare (some young elders are no longer recognizable due to the latter change). I am a bit excited for this myself, because as I may have already stated in my last E-mail, Elder Duncan will take part in a special meeting among the mission's young elder leadership, myself included. I believe that I have also said that he will be touring the mission and checking out what exactly it is we do. I think everyone here is excited for all of this - these do not happen very often, and this is an opportunity to show the church's presiding authorities what exactly we are capable of. 

This has been a pretty short transfer, and so we will already be getting more transfers next Tuesday. Luckily for us, the mission already sent out moving notices. Me and my entire district got moving notices, which I guess makes sense - the apartment we were living in was due for a deep cleaning anyway. I do not know how intact the district will remain after these changes, but I have a feeling that I will probably stay here for quite a while. Either way, this will be my 12th transfer on the mission - next month, I will have been out on the mission for an entire year. It has, so far, been a wild ride in the mission. I probably will not do too much reminiscing about my mission now - I will wait for next month, when the one-year mark actually passes. All I know is, there is still much work to be done, and I can't stop focusing on that. 

I do not have much else to say - the week was relatively uneventful. But I still enjoy being able to serve out here. I also appreciate the support you all have given me while I have been out here in the service. I hope every one of you has a great day!

From,

Elder Bryce Petersen

Challenge: I have mentioned cleaning the house or apartment as a good way to relieve stress, and this is quite true. However, there is simply no replacement for the power of personal prayer. Think about it - when one is stressed, and perhaps feeling strong emotions, the spirit cannot dwell with him. Personal prayer is the best way to bring this spirit back, along with the emotional assistance it brings with it. One of the common names for the Holy Ghost is "the comforter". This week, I have learned more about why he has this name. I can testify that, when one is in despair beyond what he can handle, if he or she will have the faith to ask for strength to endure, it will come. However, one must be worthy for this divine companion to assist him. If you are not currently worthy of such a blessing, do whatever it takes. Make whatever changes are necessary in your life. And when this worthiness is again in your life, forget not to pray always, especially when you don't feel like it - Brigham Young has said that, ironically, this is the time when you need to pray the most. Just this one leap of faith could be what it takes to help you feel the spirit again, and begin personal healing. As you make personal prayer a part of your life, you will find that it will enrich every aspect of your life, and help you to find joy in the midst of despair.