Are you Listening for It?
If you had told me that I would be traveling this much while I was on a mission, I probably would have laughed.
Well, currently I am writing this flying to Cyprus for two days for exchanges. We had to drive up to Thessaloniki for about five hours last week for the same reason. To be honest, I don't think this is the preference of anyone that this much travel occurs each transfer. However, exchanges are something to be done in every mission and the benefit of them are something very difficult to pass up.
I felt that particularly driving up to Thessaloniki with Elder Wahl, and the Sister Training Leaders. Observing the methods of other missionaries is very enlightening. Whiteboards is a popular method of finding across the mission and --I assume-- across parts of Europe. Even if they are not your favorite method of finding, it wouldn't be unusual to do one a week. I haven't always enjoyed them, but observing the direction it's taken in Thessaloniki was refreshing.
It begins with the question written on the whiteboard as per usual. You assign two missionaries to stand next to the whiteboard (if more than one companionship) and have someone stand a distance in front of it. The missionary out in the crowd is to guide people to the whiteboard.
We went from the occasional answer to one about every 30 seconds, on average, nearly creating the line to write things on the board. The responsibility of the missionaries next to the whiteboard is to engage in conversation, and invite them to church if they are interested. It becomes a lot more interesting with many people coming up to write and the interactions tend to be very friendly.
We'll see if it's something we'll stick to and try. To be quite frank, we haven't seen a lot of downstream results with whiteboards. Downstream results are what I think is what needs to be a big focus. I have felt a mission mentality steadily switching over. Yes, you may talk to a hundred people a day, or do a whiteboard on a regular basis, but what is the best way of finding those that are interested? Are you trying those things? Because some of those things might surprise you. Are you looking for the 'moments'? The spirit is guiding you everyday, and it has a message from God of what you could do.
Are you listening for it?
My companion, Elder Crossley, and I have been having a blast doing language study recently. It's been a huge blessing since, honestly, studying with someone has been a dread until now. The laughter and learning actually done in that hour of time wades nearly into over-time every day. And my Greek has developed into something I didn't really think I would get to the point. I still have so much more to go, though. To be honest, we are just having fun.
I will admit, two Sundays ago was probably the most humbling moment for Greek in my mission. The note I wrote for this event to remember to mention in my email was, "Getting mentally and emotionally destroyed at church while translating." We missionaries tend to help translating, which is not something I am frankly worthy of doing. I'll try since I know the Lord is helping, and I couldn't bare leaving someone alone at the translation table. Translating to and from French was something so difficult to do in Cyprus already.
I honestly don't want to bring up details, but basically, I was inadequate to translate this talk. Insomuch so, I had to pass the microphone to someone else to do it.
I know I maybe shouldn't have felt this way so strongly, but the shame I had in that moment was quite unbearable. I had no idea what to do after the meeting or how to face the members and my fellow missionaries. The meeting concluded and I retired to an empty room to read from the Book of Mormon.
I popped open to the first chapter of Alma--at random. If you take a look, it is a pretty intense chapter. And yet, I would testify of the calming spirit of the scriptures, no matter where you read.
As much as I want to say I had instant revelation in that moment, I did not. That came later. I proceeded out of the room about halfway through the second hour. I joined the class still feeling pretty gummy.
That night, I felt the spirit, but not in the way I expected. I thought back to that experience and began to look around.
In those moments, I was not the only one struggling. I looked upon my fellow missionaries, in retrospect, and thought of what I should have done better. I could have been a better support. A better friend, rather than withdrawing. The whole moment was hard for each of us in different ways.
When you experience deep pain or embarrassment, I can almost promise you that you are not the only one. I want to apologize for not recognizing that sooner in that moment.
I recall back to the stories of experiences that even some of my fellow missionaries have seen. Something significant happens in someone's life and their instinct is to serve others. That is one of the strongest examples of Christ-like love I would like to strive towards.
Upon these plates I write the things
Which I have seen and heard.
My soul delighteth in the Lord;
I ponder on his word.
Yet my heart cries, "O wretched man!"
I grieve within my soul
Because of mine iniquities;
Lord, wilt Thou make me whole?
My God hath heard my cry by day;
By visions in the night
Have I received His knowledge pure.
His word is my delight.
The angels minister to me;
On spirit-wings I fly.
Mine eyes behold the greatest things
Upon the mountains high.
Rejoice my heart!
Awake my soul!
No longer droop in sin.
I'll praise the Lord forevermore;
I'll weep no more within.
Encircle me around, I pray,
In robes of righteousness;
Make straight my path before my feet.
Through life's great wilderness.
Preserve me from mine enemies,
And hedge not up my way.
Forever will I trust in Thee,
And ever I'll obey.
O Lord, wilt Thou redeem my soul,
And fill me with Thy love?
--My Rock, mine everlasting God
Who dwells in heaven above.
2 Nephi 4:14-35
I am going to try to do a little better every day. I don't usually discuss things of this personal-difficulty so openly, but I must testify-- the Atonement gives me hope and peace that my efforts are not all for nothing.
I used to wonder, "Why do we do anything, if the atonement covers us so much?" Now, there's a lot of scripture and modern revelation on this topic, so I encourage you to study it. It's very good! (Hint: Part of it is because we love God). I will admit, this question continued around my head even after I got an answer.
Now I have concluded-- why would I want to do anything less than my best? Why wouldn't I want to treat people with the respect they deserve? That desire to do better is difficult to describe. It's not guilt. Rather, it is inspiration. The spirit does a good job giving you that if you let it.
Are you listening for it?
Anyways, that's enough ramblings on that subject.
Something I have appreciated about this transfer is an unspoken attempt by many to have fun doing the work. There are many things we do that I struggled to find joy doing, and now are performed in a way that makes the minimal tasks enjoyable. It appears that sometimes the work can be taken in such a way that it shouldn't be fun. If it is, it's just a bonus.
I would say, if you can find a way to make it fun, go for it! That should be an attempt made. Not a priority, but it's difficult seeing something being long-term effective without finding joy in doing it. I promise, those that you speak to can tell if you are speaking to them out of joy or purely because you have to. I have been very impressed with recent missionaries attempting to speak to people not because they must, but because they truly want to.
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I added this divider since I did not find enough time to complete my email from last week. I am currently writing this on Christmas night.
Again, I don't have a lot of time, but I would like to remark how much I appreciate my fellow missionaries, senior missionaries, and members that have made this a particularly special Christmas. I wish I could do more to show my gratitude for each missionary in my district. I've particularly enjoyed this group. Which has made it easier due to the fact being apart from home is a burden. I use the word 'burden' since, don't catch me wrong, it's remarkably fun to be here in Greece serving the Lord during such a remarkable season. The only word I have been able to assign to the feeling is a 'burden'. But again, I wouldn't trade it for the world, since I know why I am here.
And always the company makes it a very pleasant experience, of which I am very grateful.
We had Christmas Eve dinner with the Reidheads and all the missionaries in Athens. It was a pleasure for them to offer their home for us to build gingerbread houses (which was an adventure in itself for another time) and a meal to connect/socialize.
This morning, I had the opportunity to make some crepes for a Christmas Brunch. I am so close to learning how to do it like my mother! It's taken an entire year, but I've enjoyed having something I could offer for events.
The Christensens hosted us. Once again, it really did feel like a family gathering, but with missionaries.
Hedy, bless her, hosted us for Christmas dinner, and a portion of the day. She is one of those kind of people that deserve the world. The missionaries are always blessed by her. Every time we try to repay her, we can't get even. I don't think we ever could for how much she has done.
I hope you all are doing well and had a good Christmas!
Elder Dylan Hansen
