Constant He is and Kind

Well, this is my first time training someone ELSE that is new from the MTC. Sis parker is from Canada (she actually grew up with sis dixon) she is a visa waiter for Australia Sydney mission. I am realizing that training each missionary is different. she needs different things than sister draney did. but THATS where the spirit comes into play. She has sacrificed lots to be here and she is going to be a wonderful missionary.

One difficult thing as a trainer is knowing when to LOVINGLY "put your foot down" ;) I know certain things by experience and I want her to benefit from my knowledge but we all have agency right? here's an example: writing down and talking notes while studying or at church is sooooo important. I have received sooo much revelation from the Lord to guide his children, he has given it to me as he sees I will treat it with care. Who among you gives an ipod to an 8 year old TELLING them to take care of it would by them another one if they blatantly neglected its care. they drop it countless times, they thrown it on the ground, let water spill on it, leave it on the ground. NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND! so WHY would God give his child MORE guidance when he doesn’t cherish what he has already received. Or would you rather have the lord say this to you:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord."  Matt 25:21

Well, I had passively suggested that she should have a study journal or something to take notes with. At district meeting she didn’t bring anything, so that day I passively gave her a new journal I had. She didn’t take notes the evening session of stake conference or during our morning study. Last night I not-so-passively emphasized to her how blessed I have been from writing down revelation and explained the principle I said "often times I don't even know what I’m going to write, but I open the book, place my pen on the page and write the date. It shows God that I'm willing and ready to receive revelation." She asked what sort of things do I write. I opened up an old study journal and I read her a page. it had to do with me studying one morning for a companion (we weren't getting along) and how the lord helped me and guided me in a way that positively resolved the problem.

This morning I saw her studying and using the journal :) MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. I had a great study and love writing down insights I learn. she seemed to be writing lots too. as we came together for companion study she had exponentially more to share with me than she had before. it went from sharing a few sentences to 10+ scriptures many insights and naturally bearing her testimony throughout. I was glad to see her willing to try it and change. I know it is important as a trainer to seek to be trusted more than loved and not to shy away of times when the lord would have me admonish or encourage change in my companion. It can be scary, but I am seeing well worth it. Many blessing will follow. I must remember that and apply it to the people we teach as well. I need to be straight up with them. This is change their life. This will change them: FOR THE BETTER! but it required humility and effort on our part. But the greatest thing is we always get back more than we deserve because WE have a loving father in heaven, an understanding savior and his spirit to be with us as we keep the commandments.

Danni is doing well and working toward her March 1st baptismal date. she is very childlike and humble in her learning. it is wonderful. the eilands however are tricky. we have another lesson with them this wednesday. we need to be bold with them. they have the wrong definition of faith, he thinks it has to be evidence, but we will show finding faith in Christ (the dvd) and empathize how all his questions can be answered with the book of mormon. he really is sincere, but he’s trying to understand every little thing first.  as it says in Hebrews 11, Noah had faith, because he built the ark before signs of rain. Bro eiland (not a member but that’s what we call them) he is waiting for rain before building the ark. Past lessons have gotten derailed and I know I need to exercise more faith and really be that preach my gospel missionary to help them.

I miss sister draney dearly. we because close friends. The best thing she gave to me was helping me memorize the living Christ our last week together. I did it!!! and its truly the best thing anyone can give to someone else: Christ- directing them to him and helping them see that he has been there all along. I have recited the living Christ 3 or so times this last week. it helps me as I focus my thoughts on him. I want to improve and I want to always have that wonderful joy that I get when I share the gospel.

"Where can I turn for peace, where is my solace

When other sources cease to make me whole?

When with a wounded heart, anger or malice

I draw myself a part searching my soul.

Where, when my aching grows, where when I languish

Where, in my need to know, where can I run?

Where is the quite hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand?

He, only one.

He answers privately, reaches my reaching.

In my Gethsemane, Savior and friend

Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching

Constant he is and kind

Love without end."

I love you all. And that’s why I’m going to ask you to Right now, say a silent prayer, and thank god for the many things he gives you and ask him for help with that hard thing in your life and trust him enough to let him heal it for you.

Love, 

Sister Kaitlin Snow