March 5, 2012

Hey Family,

How is everything?  We are all good here in the Philippines... astig.  It has been a very busy week and we have another coming up.  The work is good but was kinda a short week because of the meetings we had on this week.  They were so awesome.

So, we started off the week with the mission tour and we as Zone Leaders arrived at the meeting a bit earlier then the other missionaries to meet with Elder Nielsen.   When we arrived, he shook each missionaries hand, asked our names and where we were from.  When it came to my turn I told him who I was and where I was from and he said that he knew my dad!  It came as a bit of a shock but that was cool to hear.  Hehe!  He taught us about acting and being acted upon. It took me back a bit listening to everything he was saying because he said that as Zone Leaders we have been chosen to act and not to be acted upon. He went on to tell us that we are going to be the future Bishops, Stake Presidents and leaders in the Church.  I had never thought about that before.   He also taught us about being quick to observe and about choosing to be on the Lord's side.  It really was awesome.

When the rest of the missionaries arrived we assembled in the Chapel and their Elder Nielsen addressed the missionary body as a whole. Once again he taught us and we learnt about receiving revelation for ourselves, especially for the areas that we serve in.  It was cool and he said that the heavens are open and all we have to do is ask, search, and be ready to receive.   It was sweet. I'm starting to realize as a leader that I have a big influence over the other missionaries.  Elder Nielsen told us to take care of the younger missionaries in our Zones and to lift the weary hands that hang down. He said that the responsibility that we have as leaders and missionaries comes from the Lord.  I sometimes would much rather be a junior companion, but I now know I wasn't sent on a mission to be acted upon but instead to act.

Family, I know this Church is true and I love you all and I know that if we rely on the Lord in all that we do he will help us. 

Take care and give my love to the rest of the family and please thank everyone for their emails and support, especially Uncle Rick and the Grandparents.  One other important thing that Elder Nielsen taught us was regarding less active members.  He said that the church doesn't need the help of less active members because we've been doing fine without them.  BUT, he said that the less active members NEED the Church and that they cannot live happily without it.   This was very blunt and direct, but true.  Sometimes it's not easy to live the gospel and some people find it hard but that helps us  to grow.

Please encourage any of our less active family members to go to church for themselves and to find a reason that will help them to progress.

I love you all and I look forward to your emails next week.

Elder Chadderton