I went on my first exchange with another missionary this week! We went to Calvert City with our zone leader Elder Judd. Elder Judd and I taught this guy who is coming back to the church. Our lesson was my most spiritual lesson yet! I was told two things before I went on an exchange, either miracles happen or nothing happens. I am glad to say that miracles happened!! Not only did I have a very spiritual lesson but one of their investigators is going to go to church! They were what you would call an Eternagator (An eternal investigator). It was such an awesome experience! Elder Judd is a veteran missionary!! He teaches so well!! I learned a lot from him in the two short days I got to be with him! While we were teaching, my companion and Elder Hinds had some good blessing too. They taught a woman married to a member who has been hesitant in the past, but timing was right and she has accepted to be baptized! Her baptism is scheduled for August 13th, I couldn't ask for a better birthday present! It is also rumored that I go to sleep on the best bed in the zone... It was ok but I wouldn't say the best. I also really enjoyed Elder Judd's singing this week. He loves to sing and he is actually pretty good!Ok best "doorstep scene" so far! We went tracting for our power hour and came up to a pretty nice looking house. I knock on the door (the first knock is on your salvation). Then I knocked the second time (second knock it is on them). As we were walking away the door started to open. I turned around and started to speed walk back to the door with a smile on my face. The man asked, "Are you Mormon?" Proudly I say, "yes!" Then he says, pointing his thumb down the road, "Hit the road!" And shut the door. At firstI thought it was a joke but when he shut the door I knew he was serious. I busted up with laughter! I didn't know things like that actually happen!
Update on the burrito challenge. I decided to take the challenge this week! I was so nervous getting my three large burritos together. A reminder that the challenge includes eating 3 full, big burritos in 30 minutes. I was doing pretty good until about 28 minutes into the challenge. I had a few bites left with about 2 minutes to go .... and I was feeling pretty good about myself. I was also feeling fat and full, but I was determined to complete the challenge. Elder Andrus was with us and we was cruising on the burrito challenge too. Unfortunately, Elder Andrus didn't make. He started puking ... right in front of me! I don't do well with people throwing up in front of me. I tried to keep mine down. I took a drink of water to try and clear up stomach, but it didn't work. With only two bites and 2 minutes left, my burrito came back up as well. I was able to make it to the trash can in time, but I didn't complete the challenge. It was nasty! I have to say, I am not sure how long it will be before I can eat another burrito.
I had one of those hard missionary days this week. I have been feeling like we need to do more. I got in the numbers fishing game. We had set a goal for 10 other lessons but we are up to 3. I felt like a failure because it makes us look bad to the stake. I learned, and I am still learning, that a lot of missionary work is serving everyone. While we might not have a lot of new lessons to teach, we do have a lot more service hours and ward member teaching appointments. We also had like 60% members present in our lessons. Those are some pretty amazing numbers! The member present lessons don't count toward our goals, but it humbles me to know we are here to help all people come unto the Lord, not just investigators.
This Sunday I learned a lot more about the sacrament. I read the talk "That I Might Draw all Men unto Me" by Elder Renlund. It talked about how Jesus and Heavenly Father are the ultimate giver and when people distance themselves from the giver they feel entitled. It took me a while to figure out what this means. I think the greatest examples are Laman and Lemuel. Multiple times Laman and Lemuel expect blessing without even trying. The sacrament correlates with this in that the sacrament draws us closer to Jesus Christ when we think and give thanks for Him and the Atonement. I urge you to read his talk and see what you get out of it. It would be awesome to hear all of your interpretations of it and what you learned or were inspired by. My take away is, if life was truly fair, then we would all be unclean before God. I am so glad that life is unfair and that Jesus Christ unfairly gave his life for us.
Sorry not many pictures this week.
Until next week!
Elder Quiring
Note for Elder Ihler to Mom this week ....
Hi Sister Oscarson! Elder Quiring is awesome! Thanks for raising such a great young man. He enjoys doing the work and that is a great thing. He has about 23 months left and this will be the best 2 years of his life, especially if he keeps it up. It has been a ton of fun! Right now we are enjoying a Paducah, Kentucky downpour! Lol.
Elder Ihler
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