5-25-2014 - Working Hard and Hating Tomato Juice

Hi,

First of all I have discovered this week that I have a dislike for tomato juice. A nice old lady called us into her restaurant the other day and she gave us tomato juice. Lets just say that my companion and I had a really hard time getting that down. 

This week we have tired really hard to focus on strengthening the members of our ward. It is not easy to be a member of the church in Korea and there is lots of temptation to do all sorts of bad things here. Our ward mission leader asked us to help with members and help them with growing their testimonies of the Restoration and of the Book of Mormon. We have been doing about 20 minute lessons with a lot of them and it's really great because we can help them grow and it's a good opportunity for me to teach. 

We don't have a lot of investigators and the ones we do have are hard to meet and teach. We are spending a lot of time with just trying to find people. I definitely understand the concept of companionship unity. My companion is willing to go out and work, but he doesn't really like to talk to people and it's really hard to do it alone and when you are both not trying your hardest. 

I have been thinking a lot of about the gift of tongues lately. For the most part people believe that The gift of tongues is that God will give you the ability to speak the language. But I don't think that is true. I think it's more that God will put the words that you need to say in your mouth if you are trusting in him. I thought for the first little while that I would just be able to speak one day. But that's not really how it goes. 

My companion is the perfect example of being able to speak the language well but that with the power of God behind his words. He is a good missionary, but he has measured that success of his mission based on how well he can speak so that is all he has focus on his entire mission. He is the best speaker in the mission but it's because that is what his mission has mostly been. So I think we need to find a balance between hard study and working for the Lord. Gift of tongues doesn't only apply to people learning the language but to everyone. 

I am so tired every night which is a good sign I think. It's so nice to spread the gospel to people's lives and give them something bright and new. 

Love you all and hope you all have an amazing week 

Elder Meeks