finding my strength

Dear Family,

We had interviews with President Mora again this week (my, how time flies) on Friday, so the rest of the week was just amazing from then on. The interview, in itself, was rather short, but the meeting we had lasted from 9:30am to 3pm. The assistants showed us some of the Preach My Gospel DVDs that recently arrived at the mission office. I had seen a few of the DVD sections in the MTC, but since then I hadn't caught a glimpse of any of them. Nevertheless, it was a great opportunity and I learned a lot of how we can reflect the love we have for the work in the way we plan, fill our area books, and work together with our companions.

Preach My Gospel briefly mentions a practice known as "companionship inventory" - which is not a list of how many ties of each color we have or a list of the things we still need to live comfortably in our room, but rather an inventory of our teaching skills, unity, obedience, and other important factors. It has been a roller coaster ride with my new companion these last four weeks, and we've been employing the inventory almost every other night. I don't like to take a negative approach to our challenges, be they within our companionship or just among the people we serve, so I won't talk about the difficult details of the last few weeks. However, it has been an instructive experience, in which I've learned how to really work things out. In my personal study, I pondered on the reasons why the Savior was such a great leader and example. As I reflected on some thoughts I had written down, I asked myself if I'm a strong person. Not strong as in able to force my own will and ideas on others, but strong as in able to stand for the truth and the right, whether or not it was my idea. Being able to accept that I'm not always right and I'm not expected to be - but trying to see every point of view and seek out the correct choice wherever it may be. I can take a chance on ideas I disagree with and learn from the experience.

Thus, I don't have to trust in my own ability, understanding and knowledge for my strength - I am strong because I love truth and right, and I want to get those principles in me. It isn't weakness to admit that I'm wrong; rather, it's the beginning of strength. In that moment, I show that being faithful to the truth is more important to me than being right. The Savior always led from strength because He was full of truth and taught eternal principles. I can only become like Him as I learn and live those principles; and I can only do that if I'm humble enough to admit it when I'm wrong and courageous enough to live what I know is right.

In other news, specifically that of teaching investigators, it was a delightful week. We found new, interested individuals and families that reminded me why I talk to everyone I can about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It brought back that irresistible smile that comes after a fantastic lesson. It's not that we teach fantastically - but the fact that God restored His church through a modern prophet after centuries of being lost - it's that message that (as the saying goes) knocks one's socks off. I'm happy to say that many people are now joyfully walking barefoot (continuing the figure) with a new perspective on life.

I hope you are all enjoying your summer - it's winter here, but the sun came out yesterday and it warmed up to 60 or 65 degrees (instead of the usual 50 or 55 that we get all day every day). I love Sundays. Thank you for your letters and your prayers: they really do help a lot more than you might realize. I'm not too intimidated by the upcoming 10th of July, but it's the 25th that fills me with a little bit of dread. I can't stand to contemplate the idea that it's going to be half over. I love this too much!

Love,
Elder Withers