Whats up everybody! First week went by swell, first couple of days were pretty rough with the pressure and the homesickness, but that all went away after the second day. I really enjoy writing in my journal and being able to reflect on the days and the experiences I have encountered. Loving class and all the role playing that we do and I look forward to continuing to do that. I had some ups and down with my teaching but after about the first couple days I really began to care for the people we are teaching. I was super nervous the first day because our teacher Brother Croft said that we would be teaching an investigator on Thursday(the day after we got here) and I was freaking out over what i was supposed to teach-how to teach, and how to work with my companion on the first day! I lead the discussion for the first lesson and I have done 90% of the talking throughout all of the lessons. I am learning to empathize with the investigator and to be loving and to smile and make sure they are feeling comfortable and loved by heavenly father.
I've really enjoyed speaking with investigators and sharing the gospel with them. We had a investigator named Leila (Lay-La) and she is from Hawaii, Oahu, so we got to talk about that for a while which made connecting with her a lot easier and we really befriended her. She had a husband who passed away and was a Mormon, so we taught her about the plan of salvation for the first lesson... BAD idea, we ended up confusing her but ended with the invitation to read, and I invited her to be baptized, and she said yes! but she wanted to know more. We taught her the restoration and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we set a Fictional Baptisimal date and she made the commitment to go to church. It was such a real experience and it really helped to grow my testimony as i bore mine (only cried a little).
The devotional on Tuesday was pretty sweet, we got to hear from Neil L. Anderson of the quorum of the twelve Apostles, his talk was awesome on emphasizing the importance of not being afraid to extend the invitation to read, be baptized, or to pray, simply because of our own fears, and that we should think about them and not us when we do invite because we never know how much they might need that invitation, and how it will change their lives.
I've really began to understand what Dad was saying about if you try to be someone else when you teach, you wont be able to do so as effectively, I just do what Dad does. haha
The first couple days went by in what felt like a whole week! getting into the grove and getting over your nervous habits and being able to cope with the stress of coping to a new life style. As I have been adapting to the new life, I found that unpacking everything really helped me cope with the newness of all of this. I haven't felt homesick at all lately, the hidden notes and stuff destroyed me the first night but after that i was cool. I kinda imagine Winnipeg as home so it makes me more comfortable about it all. I cant wait to get out there.
I've been trying to take lots of pictures so I can let you guys see what I am doing, having an ipad is awesome for planning and sharing videos with investigators. I haven't done that yet but i look forward to sharing that next week with some new investigators. being able to see what you guys send me right away is pretty sweet, the pictures of the cat are pretty funny, Brian, send me some of your stop motion and even a couple photos of your Lego army.
Have fun playing ball, I've been playing a lot here and have started to pick up a lot of my old skills :) send me some photos. All and all, it was a awesome first week and a bit, I have way more to write, I forgot my journal in the residence (bedroom), and I cant remember everything i did, well gotta go.
love you all, XOXO
Love
Elder Sheen
