HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
HAHA I totally didn't even notice Thanksgiving
happened until just now when I saw pictures from home! Thanksgiving isn't a thing here in the Philippines so sorry I forgot. I guess
ate a Big n' Tasty cheeseburger at McDonald's on thanksgiving day
though! I wasn't even good haha. I'm pretty down too because apparently
my fam roasted a turkey that they wrapped in bacon for Thanksgiving. :(
This
was a very interesting week. It went surprisingly fast, despite all of
the problems that me and Elder Basa had to deal with in the zone pretty
much all week long. My first week as ZL, which was last week, was
pretty chill and we just worked our area. But I guess everyone in the
zone decided to go crazy this week and so it was kinda nuts. Tuesday we
had emergency exchanges in Laoag. The elders were having companion
problems and were pretty much at ends with each other so we had to step
in and help them out. After that we received a bunch of reports from
members about the missionaries in another area doing stuff they shouldn't
be so we had to get the APs and President involved, and that got ugly
fast lemme tell ya. Then some of those missionaries got mad at me and
Elder Basa for telling on them and it was just ridiculous. Then to
top the week off, yesterday the Sisters here in Sarrat put the icing
on the cake and texted us saying that they are both getting emergency transferred this week for reasons we don't know, which means that me and
Elder Basa's area just got huge and now we have to work both their area
and ours until January when President can put 2 more missionaries back
in Sarrat. HAHAHAHAH Other peoples problems = the zone leaders
problems.
I am still trying to find the right
balance as far as how I should go about being a Zone leader, because if
any of you know me, I am kinda just chill and friendly with about
everyone and I mind my own business and let other people do their own
thing. So this is kinda hard for me because I am held accountable for my
zone by President, the APs and of course the Lord, and now I need to
lead and guide my zone which might require me to correct and supervise
at times. I am not one to chastise or micro manage or get in your face
or anything so I am trying to follow the example of some of the great
leaders that have helped guide me through out my life in this Church.
Like my bishops and priesthood leaders and seminary teachers and so many
really that have made a huge impact in my life and helped me when I
needed guidance. Particularly I try to follow the example of my Bishop
back home, Bishop Wilkins, who has helped me and been a perfect example
to me of a Christ-like and humble leader. I have noticed a huge
difference in the content my prayers since I have been called to lead,
and I realize how important it is to have the Spirit with me always, as
well as the need for the gift of charity and the Pure Love of Christ. I
had 2 opportunities this week to give priesthood blessings this week
and I was so grateful that the Spirit was there to guide my words and
touch my heart.
Despite all the craziness that
comes with being a leader, I love this opportunity that the Lord has
given me to serve and lead. Its hard and stressful and kinda a pain in
the neck sometimes, but I have gained a lot of respect and understanding
for what it is like for leaders in the church. This next week will be
interesting because now we have to figure out how to incorporate the
Sisters area and progressing investigators into out schedule so we will
see what happens.
I started reading Jesus The
Christ about 3 weeks ago for the 2nd time and it's blowing my mind
AGAIN. Jesus is so amazing and James E Talmage makes Him sound like a
super hero BECAUSE HE IS! I love the book so much.
That's it for this week!
I love you all and Happy Holidays
-Elder Andersen
