Listening to the Good Shepherd

 Hello everyone! 

I just finished the first transfer of the mission. I have learned a lot about being a missionary these past six weeks. There is still a lot more to learn, but I am excited to go on! We just had transfer calls this Saturday to see if I'm staying or leaving Spencer. Luckily, I will be staying in Spencer for another six weeks with Elder Cohn as my trainer. 

The Elders in Sparta had a baptism this weekend. All the Elders in the district got to go and it was great! We are very happy to see their success. I am grateful for the chance to bring others to the Fold of Christ. Our district leader, Elder Tolman, got to go back to his original assignment in Argentina. However, you need a negative COVID test to get on the plane. They sent it in the mail and it got stuck in Memphis. He is still here, waiting for the next plane and the test to go through to Salt Lake. We are getting two new missionaries is this district, Elder Hirshi and Elder Erickson. 

One of the people we are teaching had a lot of goats giving birth this week. We got to hold one of the babies. It was so adorable, picture included below. This reminds me to take care of Christ's fold as a missionary, as she takes care of her goats.

In addition to the three people we were teaching before: June, Dorothy, and Angela, we've started teaching Rusty and Charles. Rusty is very busy because he works full time and goes to school. He likes learning about all religions and seems interested in what we have to say. Charles is looking for a church to attend with his girlfriend. He seems very promising, because he liked the Book of Mormon. We had a really good lesson with him, so we are going to try and meet with him this next week.

I've been thinking about pride and humility recently. I've always thought pride was thinking you are better than everyone else. I'm starting to learn that pride is the idea that all consequences, good or bad, occur solely because of our own efforts. These verses in 2nd Nephi 4 help provide a more encompassing definition of humility. 

16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

Nephi, in these verses, recognized all of his faults. This could be described as humility. One of the ways he showed true humility though was he recognized the strength he received from God. When we are humble, we recognize that we are not going through life alone. I think one of the reasons God focuses on pride throughout the scriptures is because it prevents us from reaching out to Him. Our Heavenly Father wants to communicate and bless our lives directly. When we listen to His voice, we will be strengthened beyond our own efforts. 

Let The Depths of Humility Raise You Up

Elder Oram