Maseru, Lesotho Area - Week 43

Every week I look at the number of weeks I have been out and wonder where the time has gone.. how have I been out 43 weeks?!

I had a valuable lesson learned in setting goals with faith. Each week, Elder Hinnen and I set goals for how many people who have a date set for baptism, how many investigators come to church, and other things. Sometimes they are just empty numbers, but this week I really tried to make sure I was doing everything I can to achieve these goals. And lo and behold, every goals we set was accomplished! We had 8 investigators at church and 7 people agree to be baptized in September. Maybe all the Lord wanted me to do was ask.

Joy. That is what I have been studying lately. Elder Hinnen made this comment "happiness is better than pleasure, and joy is better than happiness". I have noticed that in the scriptures, those who have joy are those who are more concerned about others. Here is an example of Ammon from the Book of Mormon: 

"But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but  behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I  know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty  miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." Alma 26:11-12 

Every day out is here is not perfect. I have challenges. I still don't like waking up at 6:30 every morning. Some days drag on. But, I wish you all could see that joy that I am having out here. That joy comes from the happiness I have seen in others.

Love,

Elder LaHue