Once again I am so glad that I have this opportunity to briefly write to you all about my experiences. Hopefully, especially what I write about today, can be a benefit to some in some way or another.
So this past week, honestly was the worst week I have yet experienced on the mission as of yet. Everything, in spite of the fact that it was the week in which we commemorate the birth of the Savior of the world, seemed to go wrong and work against us. We ended up having to drop 2 investigators, our baptism for this week fell through, and practically everyone we talked to this past week was hostile to us and wanted nothing to do with us, something that rarely ever occurs. After talking with my companion about this, we both agreed that what was truly happening was that Satan was working harder than normal to counter-act our missionary efforts because it was the week of Christmas. It is obvious that the week in which our hearts are turned to him, and we remember that the Savior came for us, would be the week that the enemy of truth would seek to blind hearts and plant seeds of enmity in the hearts of the people. As such, my companion and I after much prayer and pondering as to what we can to to make things better, we decided that if he wants to work harder, than we will work harder. We have been called of God and as such that brings true power and authority. This area has amazing potential to have many baptisms and many people brought to the knowledge of the truth.
The lesson learned was one that I have heard before many times. As i was pondering why things were going completely wrong, and why it appeared that we were having no success, I remembered the words of a general conference talk that has stuck with me for a long time. I do not know who gave it but they said something along the lines of this,
When trials and rough times come when you are trying you best to do everything you can, don't think, "what is it that I am doing wrong?", but ask yourself "what more can I do that is right?"
What wisdom! When we look at our trials as an opportunity to grow and better ourselves, true progression occurs. instead of spreading our time moping and moaning "why me, why is this so hard", when we start to take command of the situation, and use it as an opportunity to better ourselves in some are we may be lacking, we start to change and our situation changes. Truly, optimism is completely mental and will make our lives better than if we sit around and bemoan our situation. Remember Nephi from the beginnings of the Book of Mormon who said, in effect,
I will go and do, not sit and stew.
Well everyone, I must leave for now, but I love all of you dearly. Have a Happy New Year!
Tchau tchau!
Elder Dimmick
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