My companion and I started biking this week as opposed to taking the bus or walking and we are getting in good shape and having SO MUCH FUN! Beyond that we're able to get to our appointments quicker and it's a really efficient way to travel in Hartford. (As long as you don't get run over by all the crazy people in Connecticut who don't know how to drive, you'll be fine!) I included several pictures of our biking escapades this week with the email. We drove by this awesome apartment complex on our bikes and saw that the name was 'Shepherd Park' and I just had to go back and get a picture with it.
It seems like everyone in Hartford was depressed this week. Several of our investigators were struggling with personal problems and stress this week, and one less active member we are visiting said that she's so depressed that she doesn't want to do anything anymore. We had a lot of lessons this week with people who were dealing with depression and stress and we spoke a lot about the atonement and the peace that comes through repentance and obedience. Jesus Christ left us some of the most comforting words I've ever known. One of my favorite scriptures had great application to those we taught this week: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither be afraid." (John 14:27) "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek anddlowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt.11:29-30) It's hard to watch people I love so much going through really hard times but I know that it's all for a good and wise purpose. The roots of their faith will deepen and they will come to know the Savior in a way that they never could have unless they suffer. It will be good for them. My mission has been really hard for me at times and I've had to struggle and suffer. I'm so grateful that I had to do so because I have come to know the Savior more intimately. I am able to understand more fully life and other people's problems as well as I gain the wisdom that is only generated by genuine first-hand experience. We did a lot of listening and consoling this week. I believe that's an essential part of teaching and relationship-building. You have to sit back and listen sometimes, and other times you need to know what to say and how to say it in exactly the right moment. I believe that if you listen with love and trust in God that you'll be able to do both effectively in any circumstance.
For example, I spoke with a really stubborn and belligerent man in the street 2 days ago that made absolutely no sense when he spoke and tried to confuse us with open-ended questions and condescending demeanor. It was clear that he wouldn't listen to anything and had only in mind to get in his two bits and run away, so all I did, catching him in his guile, was boldly bore testimony, called him to repentance, and walked away, leaving him in a furious stupor for having thwarted his pathetic attempt at infesting others with doubt and anger. In another episode this week I turned from bold orator to meek listener as Natividad unloaded her burdens and stresses and expressed a lot of pent-up feelings that she'd been having. She needed someone to listen with love to what she was going through and to sympathize and build her up. We said very few words to her during that whole hour that we were with her but we really didn't need to. We said a lot more through our demeanor than we could have with a thousand words. She got the message: "We're there for her. God is there for her. Everything will turn out OK." As Paul would have said, "I would rather speak 5 words [by] understanding... than 10,000 words in an unknown tongue." (1 Cor.14:19)
It was a great week and we will have another great week this week! I love the mission and at the same time I am excited to only have 3 weeks left!
with much love from your favorite elder,
-Elder Shepherd
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