I also met my companion, Elder Allsop from Mapleton, Utah. Funny story, I had stalked some missionaries going to Halifax on instagram and I messaged him beforehand so it was like 'hey what's up' again. He plays lacrosse, has a very powerful testimony, and we are very much the same person. He loves Lake Powell too which was an added bonus. We teach very well together and most of-pretty much all-our time has been spent teaching investigators. I then met the rest of my district who are all going to Halifax this August 12. So exciting!!
The other elders are Elder Nielsen from Lavurkin (Think I spelt that wrong), Utah and he reminds me of Zack, hilarious, strong with the gospel, and does theater. His companion is Elder Steimle (staim lee) who reminds me of JT-very systematic breakdown of the scriptures and just his mannerisms haha. The other companionship is Elder Densley from St. George who enjoys making the rest of us feel even fatter with his tons of pushups in the morning-totally reminds me of Luke Perkins and Cameron. His companion is Elder Walker who was a sax major at BYU. He's from the panhandle of Idaho, likes to remind us that that's the real Idaho haha, and his Ronald Reagan impersonation made the whole district go into the fetal position with laughter. I was crying so hard hahaha. He asks incredible questions that contribute to the Spirit.
Overall, we've been doing a ton of teaching. We taught three investigators during my first night and our teachers played two more investigators the next day and today. I love personal study I just wish I had more of it to prepare more for all of our lessons. We get three new investigators next monday to add to our teaching pool. Crazy! I've been studying the atonement. I love the simpleness of 1 Nephi11:33, so beautiful and powerful.
I've also learned how the Spirit works with truth. A commandment may stare us blank in the face, but it's not until the Spirit manifests it to us that it becomes true or relevant to us. My branch president is interesting as well as my zone leaders. They're still missionaries and church people, but just really enjoy asking tough questions kind of in a mean way when we're asked to explain things. Elder Allsop and I combined do a fairly good job but some of the other elders are reduced to tears, which makes me mad.
I think I've almost put together why I've been called to Atlantic Canada. I was pretty frustrated with my call because learning languages was such a large part of my life and when I got the call I felt like it wasn't from God-like he didn't know me or need to use my talents. However, Canada Halifax is slowly becoming the perfect place for me. Personally when I study I don't like being all over the place with subject material-even with drums I split up instruments between days to better focus on them. I think the Lord knows that about me-how I will study the gospel and focus on that for a time and there's always the possibility of being used for the French areas.
Still there is the prestige of these missionaries here with different characters on their name tags. In a workshop it was Canada Halifax, Germany, and Fiji all doing a group teach with some teachers playing investigators. The two districts going to Halifax (12 of us!) threw down with scriptures and insight. Some level of competition and some need to 'prove ourselves' but the Spirit wasn't there. And that made me realize that above all that is what's important. Feeling the Spirit and teaching by it.
To the world I look like I'm wasting time not learning a language or going to a very exotic place to live and I will admit I struggle with thinking like that at sometimes. But when I really feel the spirit and understand my purpose things fall into place and I am content. Not perfect but content.
Laundry is finished so I'll catch y'all next week!
Love,
Elder McGuire
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