I'm so glad that your week was well and that you are having some wonderful learning experiences as parents with Korm. Both of you seriously did so well in raising me and I still attribute so much to you.
Our new area is wonderful and there is a whole new side of missionary work that I see now. There is a lot more to do with numbers, follow-ups, exchanges (exchanges means when missionaries trade companions for a day to learn from each other and learn areas), but I am so grateful for my companion (reminder: he is from Germany). He is a wonderful example to me and teaches me so much. We were able to have an inspiring district leader's council and zone meetings too with all these hard-working and dedicated missionaries. It felt strange that here I am sitting at the head of a table to lead them when all the other missionaries sitting in front of me are all more experienced...needless to say, when they spoke, I was taking notes as I knew I could learn from them too. A good leader needs to realize he or she has much to learn from the people they associate with.
One thing that I was thinking about a lot lately was just my duty and who I am. In our Zone Meeting we talked about who we are as missionaries. I thought about just what it meant to represent Jesus Christ. Elder Southam, a senior couple missionary, shared a powerful metaphor between the military uniform and our missoinary uniform in relation to our calling. When a person salutes in the military, it means three things: I understand; I will go and do; I will return and report. This simply explains missionary work. We need to understand our duty first. When Jacob, a prophet in the Book of Mormon talks about his duty, he feels guilty before God to think that those for whom he has stewardship are so guilty in sin. I want that kind of duty rooted in my soul. Then it's the actual doing that makes such a difference. I really want to become a person that is not driven by whimsical desires and acted upon, but a person who sets goals and moves forward for the benefit of others. Then, the idea of returning and reporting is more meaningful. Accountability is a principle of heaven that as missionaries and members we often don't put enough thought into. In a way, I am giving an account to you, my patriarchal leader of my family. Also, I write a letter to my mission president every week (Pres. Camperos from Bolivia), and in my prayers every night, I should be providing an accounting to the Lord. These principles help us fulfill our roles and responsibilities in life and the callings we have been foreordained to fulfill.
I love you all very much. I really do have a testimony that all of this is true. It changes my life and helps me to move forward.
Elder Claypool
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