January 26th Transfers

So yes, we did get transfer news this week. And thank the heavens i am staying in Zion. I am going to be in Fredericton for another transfer and my new companion is Sister Pitcher who was my MTC companion!!! I am beyond excited!!!! I love that woman. We got along great and worked really well together so i cant wait to be serving with her :) We are both pretty young missionaries so it will be a great opportunity for us to really step up and stop relying on our companions for everything. 

With missionaries dying.... there is a bunch going home this transfer so they are "dying". We have been making jokes for the last two weeks about Elder Tusa being on his death bed. This is Elder Torrie's 5th kill. He is basically the assassin of the mission. But next transfer there are a bunch of missionaries going home to, basically all of our leaders (zone leaders and STL's) are going home! So it will be interesting to see what happens! Almost every Elder i have come out with from the MTC is either training or a district leader this transfer! There were no sisters that came out this transfer, just elders. 

 Yesterday we had a Q&A with Elder Torrie. We asked questions about how to be a good leader, effectiveness, helping others improve, and working with hard companions. I recognized a lot i need to change in myself, not just in my actions. But changing my heart and my will to fit the Lords. But what i need to start with is changing my motivation. It is easy to get caught up in the goals and the key indicators, as well as working to impress President and the other missionaries, that you can easily forget your true purpose. I was sitting in a lesson the other day, and last minute, the member that was supposed to come ditched out. And my first reaction was "dangit, now we wont hit our goal for a member present" My first thought was about the goal we set, not about the girl we were teaching. In the moment i realized that this is not the way i should be thinking, and i needed to change. You will not do any good without the spirit, but the spirit is here to help us bring others unto christ, not to help us hit the standard. 

I think this same thought of motivation can be transferred to many different aspects of the gospel. Our we praying out of habit or for sincere desire to communicate with our Heavenly Father? Are we following the guidance given from our Prophets because we recognize the blessings it brings and out of desire to come closer to Christ, or because we dont want to be judged by those around us for not following them? It goes back to the CES devotional given a couple weeks ago. It all comes down to what is your motivation. What do you truly desire?

Just something to ponder... and if you recognize that your desire is not in the right place, just remember: everything leads back to the atonement. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ all things are possible. It is only through Him that the desires of our hearts can be changed. It all leads to that foundation, that testimony in Him. 

I love you all :) my address is the same so if you sent me mail, i will get it. If you havent sent me mail... thats okay. 

Have a wonderful week :) CONGRATS TO KENSEY AND ALEX ON THE BABY!!!!!!!!! i am so sad i wont meet Lydia, but all im missing is the boring stage where all you can do is look at her anyways, ill get back just in time for when she can really start playing and interacting with everyone :)