Monday, August 12, 2013

Everything is Bigger in Texas

Dear Family,

Yes, apparently the title of this email is true.  Because 98% of time, that's what people say when they find out where I'm from.  So I just smile and laugh and flaunt my Texas pride. :)

This week has gone well!  I'm trying to think of specifics, so let's see here.... It's fun to work in this ward because the bishop recognizes his importance of helping us find work to do.  As he puts it, Christ never wondered what he was going to do next or where he should go.  He followed the Spirit, made decisions, and followed them, and most of the stories we have now are about people that were placed in His path along the way.  I really like that analogy, and it's true with us!  The bishop gives us lists of names to visit, we plan out where we'll go and who we'll see based on that, and then it's amazing to see what miracles we find along the way.

I think the coolest thing that happened this week, though, was in zone meeting.  The leaders had an opportunity to Skype with the member of the 70 over missionary work and got some new ideas about how to teach.  They showed this new method to us, and VOILA - a light bulb went on in my head!  I was finally able to see how everything I learned about teaching before my mission could finally be brought in to apply here!

It was nothing new, just focusing on us helping our investigators uncover the lesson within themselves instead of us just teaching them.  Basically the way I see it, up to this point I have been a professor of missionary work, a lecturer of truth.  Some can get something out of that, but most just let the words fly on by without thinking too much about them.  The latter especially happens if they aren't super interested.

Now, though, I see how instead I really need to be more of a TA or a tutor, in effect!  I can help them out by asking questions to see where they are at, what they know, and what they want, and then teach them by asking more questions, giving brief explanations and clarifications, and referring them to the "textbook" as it were - the scriptures.  It's definitely different, it takes more effort, but I am STOKED to implement it more!  This is really what I love to do - this is more of my style of teaching!

We used this new style that night after we learned it, and it worked so well!  I love helping people along like that so much better than just throwing information past them!  One of the lessons was with Pat, an awesome guy who works laying concrete, and he really was able to connect with what we taught him.  We set a baptismal date for next month with him, and we'll be right there to help him achieve that!  Pretty awesome.

Welp, I love you all!  Here are some more questions I was thinking about this week:
  • How is faith in Jesus Christ a principle of power?
  • How can I develop more faith in Christ?
  • What would I be able to do if I had more faith in Him?
I know that as we develop greater faith in Jesus Christ, He gives us power to do His will, whatever that may be.  He gives us power to overcome challenges and concerns, and He gives us power to act in His name as we believe in Him.  We show that faith by being faith-ful.  I know that having faith in Him is key to succeeding as a missionary for Him!

Love you ALL!

--Elder Usevitch 

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