Well, gang, Friday morning companionship study was interrupted by a surprise mission-wide conference call. After a very long roll-call, several technical difficulties, and a decent amount of suspense, we were informed that all missionaries would report to the Berlin stake center on Sunday evening no later than 5pm so that we could have a mission conference with Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Surprise!!!
One and a half hours with Elder Ballard, Elder Christiansen of the Presidency of the 70, and President Kearon (the Area President for Europe) was precious, fast, humorous, and Spirit filled. Elder Ballard took the time to shake each one of our hands, look into our eyes, and ask us how we were doing. In his apostolic authority and grandfatherly manner, Elder Ballard shared some pearls of pure wisdom with us:
- "You have to be great teachers." We have to be great teachers in order to cut through the spiritually numbing noise and distraction surrounding those that we are trying to teach. And becoming a great teacher goes back to two basic, vital things: 1. Understanding the doctrine and 2. Being worthy and ready to teach with the Spirit.
- We know things that the rest of the world does not know. And they aren't going to know it unless we get good at telling them. That means that we need to talk to more people and be ready to tell them what's
important when we do.
- "Missionary work is talking to people wherever you find them."
- "When we are anxiously engaged, we will see miracles. Then, Heaven will get a little closer."
- (And my personal favorite) "Get out there and get crackin'!"
And with a "adios, amigos" and a wave, he was gone.
President Kearon told us to go home that night and to write in our journals not "tonight I shook the hand of a living apostle" but to write "Tonight I shook hands with a living apostle, and from this day forward, I will __________."
Gotta love those spiritual face smacks. Last night was a long journal entry.
I am grateful for the Apostles of the Lord and for the Prophet. They serve so selflessly, so lovingly, and so fully. I hope to learn from their example.
Liebe Grüße,
Sister Grace Hendricks
One and a half hours with Elder Ballard, Elder Christiansen of the Presidency of the 70, and President Kearon (the Area President for Europe) was precious, fast, humorous, and Spirit filled. Elder Ballard took the time to shake each one of our hands, look into our eyes, and ask us how we were doing. In his apostolic authority and grandfatherly manner, Elder Ballard shared some pearls of pure wisdom with us:
- "You have to be great teachers." We have to be great teachers in order to cut through the spiritually numbing noise and distraction surrounding those that we are trying to teach. And becoming a great teacher goes back to two basic, vital things: 1. Understanding the doctrine and 2. Being worthy and ready to teach with the Spirit.
- We know things that the rest of the world does not know. And they aren't going to know it unless we get good at telling them. That means that we need to talk to more people and be ready to tell them what's
important when we do.
- "Missionary work is talking to people wherever you find them."
- "When we are anxiously engaged, we will see miracles. Then, Heaven will get a little closer."
- (And my personal favorite) "Get out there and get crackin'!"
And with a "adios, amigos" and a wave, he was gone.
President Kearon told us to go home that night and to write in our journals not "tonight I shook the hand of a living apostle" but to write "Tonight I shook hands with a living apostle, and from this day forward, I will __________."
Gotta love those spiritual face smacks. Last night was a long journal entry.
I am grateful for the Apostles of the Lord and for the Prophet. They serve so selflessly, so lovingly, and so fully. I hope to learn from their example.
Liebe Grüße,
Sister Grace Hendricks
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