Elder Crocker: People Can Change
This week did not leave us with a lot of time to proselyte. We had activities almost every single day of some sort, from Zone Meeting to a Specialized Training for district leaders to Weekly Planning. On Wednesday, we had a Church Tour which was successful. It led to a really solid referral in our area, and a few for the other Elders in the ward.
Elder Talingdan and Elder Crocker ready to greet people at a Church Tour
We’ve continued focusing this week on talking with everyone and being more outgoing. That’s lead to a whole change in how the missionary work feels. It’s interesting how when we focus on our purpose, we feel better about everything.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke on being Grateful in Any Circumstances
The highlight of my week, of course, was General Conference. The messages there were just super inspiring, all of them. I particularly liked President Uchtdorf‘s talk on Gratitude and Elder Zwick‘s message on having better communication with others. It was great that the focus of Conference seemed to be a lot about focusing on just having compassion on others even when they oppose you. I think that everyone needs that, especially at this time.
Change and General Conference
Another good message was Elder Hallstrom‘s talk about allowing ourselves to change through the Atonement also rung true with me. I think that’s the greatest trap that people fall in sometimes, thinking that they want change. The scary phrase “that’s just the way I am,” limits our potential so much. If I’ve come to learn anything on my mission, both from observing the changes in others and also in myself, it’s that we can change. People can change. That’s the whole point of life: change. As it is said, nothing is more consistent than change.
That’s called “toyo” it’s dried fish, and you eat it all. I think it’s delicious.
People can change. That’s the whole point of life: change.
Another great talk was Elder Corbridge‘s talk about Joseph Smith. I think that it was just a well presented message, and super-well organized. Joseph Smith is a man who I’ve really come to understand and love on my mission. Before my mission, my testimony about him was lacking. I probably didn’t have one at all; I remember saying as much way back when I was in the MTC. But he really was a man of God, there’s no other explanation that settles well with me.
Overall, I would say that the main topics of Conference were:
- love and compassion for all that we meet, particularly to those that oppose you;
- what the Truth is, and how to learn it;
- why we have challenges and how to face them;
- technology and the internet, and any number of other messages. I loved them all.
It was a good week, this week will be even better.
Until next week,
Elder Crocker
Philippines Cavite Mission
Elder David Neal Crocker
A Few Questions and Answers:
Q: Tell me about next Saturday. Are your investigators on target?
A: On track.
Q: Looking at last week’s pictures of the house you built, where did you get your supplies? Do people just build their houses wherever they can find a space, or do they need to rent or buy the land?
A: We just built it with things that members had lying around. Some members bought the wood for 300 pesos. You have to own the land or be renting it.
Q: What season is this in the Cavite Mission? When does the rainy season start?
A: It’s summer, super summer. Rainy season starts about during fall where you are.
Q: It would be good to hear a health status on you.
A: I’m healthy.
Q: What new thing have you learned about your companion?
A: He’s super funny when he’s comfortable around people, and he’s starting to get more comfortable as time goes on.
Q: Did you see the church’s YouTube video as part of Easter initiative highlighted in the Deseret News?
A: I can’t go onto YouTube, nor should I really go places like Deseret News… Striving for exact obedience, you see.
That’s me. I just thought that gate looked cool.
There’s the dynamic duo…Elder Erickson and Elder Tomas
This is what dinner usually looks like. *wink*
