Hey 2017 have you seen January? Jaaanuary? Jaaanuary where
are you?
Dang! I thought I would only have six months forever,
but I guess time goes forward whether you do anything or not! Anyways I guess
we'll let February in this week. I don't know if it's impolite or against
missionary culture to tell everyone your release date. I've never done it
before. It's sort of a once in a life time thing. But it sounds like people
want to know so I'll tell you. Sound good? Good.
So because of the new mission president coming on July 1st
the missionary department wants us to leave before then so it doesn't freak out
the new mission president by making him move around 32 elders at once. So they
want my MTC group to go June 13th. :) So that's a big difference of what I was
originally told which was July 10th. So this week my mind set changed to having
6 months left to 4 months... :O
It actually kinda surprised me! I was excited to see
everyone but it kind of woke me up that I don't have much time and that I need
to work my tail off until then. Man It's exciting but crazy at the same time!
At first it was a rumor and I didn't believe it. But at the zone conference
this week My MTC group and the APs confirmed it. So the secret is out! I'm
determined to work my hardest.
This week was an adventure though! We stayed at another two
missionary apartment for like 3 days so there was six of us in one apartment.
Some elders were complaining but I had a blast! We slept on the floor and I'm
sure we helped entertain those other elders who were there. We even had rice
with bush rat stew! (the two elders were Nigerian) Man it was nice! I'll have a
huge list of things to tell people I've eaten.
Then in the middle of the week we went to a multi zone conference
where we listened to the missionary counsel (Elder Oaks, Anderson, Bednar, and
other leaders.) and they announced changes in the missionary schedule and the
numbers that we report so that was a cool change! I love continuing revelation
:) I also got to see all my good buddies I've served with. I remember early on
my mission I didn't like conferences like that because I didn't know anyone.
Now when I come I shake like 50 hands because I know everyone! So it was a fun
week :)
Also on Sunday 7 investigators came to church! O_O 4 were in
our area and 3 were for the other elders, so I'm really excited for this week
and to see if we can continue to teach them. I hope you all remember
Christiana. She's dong so well. Whenever she sees a new person she welcomes
them and tells them to keep coming and learning. It warms your heart to see the
fruit of your labors multiply :)
Anyways I'm excited for this week and see how it goes! It
will be cool to see our new apartment as well, I here we have a Papia tree
:D
The spiritual thought I have this week is on 2
Corinthians 9:6 which says: "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly
shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also
bountifully." So Paul is telling us that if we hold back our efforts in
the gospel we'll have a little reward, but if we do everything we can we'll
have so many blessings which we can't even count. That's what's motivating me
to work as hard as I can these next couple months. :) I know that God will
reward us for trying even if things don't work out that day, we can keep
trying.
I love you all so much and I know this church is true.
Thanks for all of your support, it doesn't go unnoticed. :) have a glorious
week!
-Elder Ballard
Pics:
cooked rodent legs :)
water pump from a well,
eating rice after a lesson,
and our neighbor's adorable baby :D
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