February 16, 2015

Dear Family,

So I'm still in 7 Hills, and I'm loving it. It's definitely harder than a lot of areas still, but it's getting much better. Our mission has two focuses: Become a Preach My Gospel Missionary for Life and to build a new stake. So our charge as Zone leadership (us and the Sister Training Leaders) is to create a zone culture where we can do this! Our Zone vision is to create "Self-Sustaining Wards" and push from behind so that we can help change our member's hearts so that they're the ones doing the work. So far so good! We're focusing on improving ward coordination meeting, teaching with the members, and participating in ward council. Those are kind of our three pillars to achieve this. It's been amazing to see the blessings that are coming because of it. We've had two families this week invite coworkers to take the lessons in their homes. Both have been amazing spiritual experiences for us, the investigator, and the members. Truly, it's the best way to do missionary work. One of them, Rick, has committed to baptism at the end of March. I can see in him a longing for the Savior. He's so burdened by guilt and shame. He made some heavy mistakes in the past that have hurt his family. He's seeking relief. I can't wait to help him discover the Savior through the Book of Mormon. What an amazing book. I wish sometimes that I could forget all about it so that I could have the opportunity to open it up for the first time again and feel what these people feel. That Book has power! 

I've been learning so much about leadership. We're encouraged to have a personal vision, to become something. I want to become someone who enables others to fulfill their potential. And it's amazing to me how Heavenly Father has helped me with that request. He's taught me about balance in the work, sharing responsibility, helping others see their strengths, succoring the weary, and so much more. I sometimes can't really believe just how spiritual life can be. Spiritual experiences can happen every day. They should! It means our progress is on track and when that's in place, what more do we need to worry about? I think part of why the gospel brings peace into our lives is because it gives us the assurance that when trials come, we'll have the ability to make a right decision. It gives us confidence that we know no matter what happens, we know how to choose the right. I love that. I'm starting the final quarter of my mission and I feel like I'm just beginning to understand faith, repentance, covenants, the Holy Ghost, and enduring. I trust that the end of my mission won't be the end of this progression. In fact, I've decided that it won't be. It'll just be the foundation for it. I have such a desire to be good. I just want to be good. And I'm very grateful to be a part of a Work that is simply good. 

I love you so much!
Matt