Ahoj everyone! Hope you are all healthy, happy, and having a
terrific Monday. I know I certainly am. First things first, I realized
that I have been titling my emails wrong this whole time. I should be titling
them according to the week I am writing ABOUT. I am just so excited that I get
ahead of myself. Sorry about that. So, first I will talk about last week, then
I will talk about some of the big changes this week. (Brad forgot his card reader... we wait until Saturday for pictures...)
- First
off, this last week we had training in Prague. It was phenomenal! We had 3
different trainings, along with lunch, and a great thought by President
McConkie about the Velvet Revolution. If you don't know about that one, go
look it up. Because it is awesome stuff. The training we had we from President
McConkie, Sister McConkie, and the Assistants to the President. President
taught us about how to teach better. He talked about a whole lot of great
things, and helped us to feel more confident and we invite people and
expound the scriptures. Sister McConkie used three different examples to
explain about the importance of remembering potential, and seeing
potential through God's eyes. The potential of ourselves, of our
investigators, and of our members. And then the Assistants talked about
the importance of serving with "all of [our] heart, might, mind, and
strength" from D&C 4. It was all excellent.
- We had
a lot of cool experiences this past week as we went out looking for Less
Active members. While we were not successful, we found several
investigators along the way. We have been seeing a lot of miracles this
past week.
- We're
just doing our best, and then we let God do the rest. We like to talk
about Enos as a model of prayer, and the importance of praying with
"real intent" as Moroni says. I have been adding contacting into
my personal prayers, and I have seen a difference. I have found that the
first contact is the hardest. It's kind of like that idea that an object
in motion stays in motion, and an object at rest stays at rest. You have
to muster a lot energy at first to try to get started, but once you do,
it's a whole lot easier to continue. That's especially important for me
right now. I am working on personally looking for contacting time, and to
put in the effort to contact while we are traveling. I had a specific
experience Saturday morning with bus contacting. I had studied
about the Atonement of Christ during personal study that morning, and then
I was praying for the desire and ability to contact. Then we got on the
bus, and I just immediately started into it. And I had a really enjoyable
time, trying to talk to people, actually talking to people, and giving
someone a commitment to do a small act of service when he wasn't
interested in meeting with us. It was really cool.
- On
Saturday, we got transfer calls! Which leads to the new beginning. I am
writing this email from Prague, where I am serving in the Mission Office
with Elder Terry! I have a lot of new and unique responsibilities,
including being in charge of Visa work for the missionaries who are here.
That is a little bit terrifying to be honest. I am hoping that I am up to
the task. From my old District, Elder Dean is staying in C-Bud, serving
with Elder Marcucci (from Brad’s MTC District), whose uncle served there
20 years ago. And the members remember him! And Sister Manners is training
in C-Bud! And then Sister DeMann is off to Brno, where she is serving with
Sister Humphries, from our MTC group.
All packed and ready to go!
- We
traveled into Prague on Sunday night, so that Elder Belshe could
train me this morning before he left for Plzeň this afternoon. It's going
to be quite and adventure, and quite a change here. I am very excited and
I am looking forward to a great transfer.
- Elder Terry is in his 3rd transfer in the Office. He is the Office Manager, and I am the Office Computers guy. Which doesn't actually mean I know anything about computers, it's just my title.
My spiritual thought
this week is on the idea of New Beginnings. Weird. Change can be exciting. And
also very tough. I am both excited and nervous to be here. But, change brings a
great opportunity for growth and learning. The Lord is in the details of our
life, and He wants us to keep progressing. He has more in store for us than we
can realize on our own, and as we trust Him, we can see our lives improve, and
our learning increase. So trust in God, and know that he is in the details!
Thanks for the prayers and support!
Gots to go for now, lots of work to do, but I will email and
send pictures on Saturday (pday for missionaries in Prague) as well! Sorry I only had time to respond to our family today, I will get back to other people Saturday. Love you
lots! We do get to skype for Mother’s Day so I will be SEEING you soon!
-Elder Pickett
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