10/12/15
I'm sure what you really
want to hear is all about what is happening for the saints out here in Kekaha
and how we are holding up as well. Well, I'll start by assuring you that just
the fact that I am here today and capable of e-mailing you is a sign of a good
week! There are some days where I'm not sure I could ever get out of my bed
again. I've been just about exhausted beyond belief but all in all I am alive
and doing well! :)
Some of the major events
this week that have contributed to our overall exhaustion include first, a very
fun and spiritual Zone Conference (a perfect follow up to a marvelous General
Conference only a few days prior). Also preparing for and giving a fun
lesson/activity at our Thursday Night Book of Mormon Class/Ward Family Home Evening.
As well, this week we had an increased number of service hours. I was also able
to conduct a baptismal interview for a really amazing individual that our Zone
Leaders have been teaching up in Lihue. And finally, just yesterday got to
witness the unending blessings that come from Fasting and Prayer.
So yeah, zone conference
was great! It is always a blessing to hear from President Warner and his
assistants. Not surprisingly they talked a LOT about the Sabbath-day. I guess I
never realized just how important and symbolic the Sabbath-day really is but
also how incredibly disregarded it is by society in this day and age. It is a
little disheartening, but hey, that's what we're here to do I guess! :) haha!
Anyway, yeah, it was really a fun conference! It was especially fun to be told
30 minutes before the meeting started that they needed a special musical number
and that I was being "volun-told" to do it! Haha! So another
missionary and I put together a little Duet of "Lead Kindly Light"
with my vocals and his violin. It actually turned out pretty good. I wish I had
a copy of it to send you, but I'll just have to sing for you when I get home!
:)
Class this Thursday was
fun too! I lead a little activity/lesson on "Juicing the Scriptures".
Where we first had people come up and with their bare hands try and squeeze as
much juice out of an orange as possible into a bowl, (an activity/object lesson
I actually picked up from Bro. Eaves one year in seminary! Thank you Bro.
Eaves!) :) and then we talked about how to get the most out of your scripture
study. A little anagram I used was "S.Q.U.I.R.T" because that's what
oranges do when you juice them! :) haha! S for Story, what is the context of
the scripture. Q for Questions, learning to asking and find answers to specific
and inspired questions you might have. U for Underline, or any other form of
marking and saving important scriptures so you can find them for later use and
reference. I for LIken (I know I cheated a bit on that one), being able to
apply the scriptures into your own life. R for Resources, using all of your
resources including the foot notes, topical guide, bible dictionary, conference
talks, maps, missionaries, manuals and everything else we have been given for
just that purpose! And finally T for Teach/testify, truly the greatest way of
learning and getting and anything from your scriptures is to teach others and
testify, and as we do so the spirit is able to teach and testify to our own
soul and our own understanding things that we never would have known otherwise.
Anyway, yeah there's a little family night lesson if anyone wants to steal it!
;) haha! The most important thing though is just CONSISTENCY!!! Reading at
least a little bit from the Book of Mormon, "every day, every day, every
day!" :)
We also had a chance to
do a little more service this week than average. First at the flower garden we
help with every week out in Kalaheo (I think she took a picture and was going
to send it to you, did you happen to get that?) and then also just weed
whacking and raking up some VERY overgrown grass at one of our members houses
here in Kekaha. It's always a blessing to be able to just get out of our
proselyting cloths and get our hands dirty, our necks a little burnt and our
hearts and souls revitalized through service! :)
And lastly and really
quick, I just wanted to bear testimony of the strength that comes from Fasting
and praying when done together! It is such a small and simple thing and yet it
brings PROFOUND blessings to both the one fasting, and the ones being fasted
for! I hope you all know that I am praying for you as well and I wish you the
best in the coming week! Again, I cannot even begin to express my deepest love
for you Mom. Likewise I love each and every one of you back home and look
forward to the day we will be together again, but until that day, there is work
to be done here and we've been called to do it!! Hope you all have a FANTASTIC
week! Stay strong, carry on, and don't forget to be awesome!!!!!
Ofa lahi atu!
-Elder Powell
p.s. Our island really is
beautiful and I feel so blessed to be here! :)
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