On Tuesday we had a devotional from President M. Russell Ballard and he came and spoke to us about Joseph and Hyrum Smith. It was a cool message because I didn't know too much about Hyrum. He did so much for Joseph, it was very inspiring. President Ballard also said we should follow their example because they are the best missionary companionship. So I will try to emulate that but one thing I think that is crucial is that we have fun too! One of my favorite scenes from The Restoration movie is where Brigham Young is walking down the street talking to another man and they are talking about Joseph and he runs by with the group of kids and tips his cap. We can achieve a balance of fun and work! Not to mention that Joseph was a pro-stick-pull player! I think Joseph is an awesome example for us all. Another thing he mentioned was the faith that Lucy Mack Smith had for her two sons to be delivered from their enemies and I wrote in my notes that a mother's faith has no limit. Mom is an awesome example of faith, if I could have half of what she has I would have so much more than I do now! Mom is the best!
Wednesday we got our new missionaries! 18 Elders and 4 Sisters! They are an awesome bunch and I already love them all so much! Two of them are in the Air Force and one is a Marine! Another one is a Ranger in the Singapore Military!! I feel so much safer now! One of them is from Gilbert too and went to Highland! Also, there is Sister Player who you may remember from Roseville! We've been able to catch up a lot about California which is nice! And apparently, she went to BYU-H and hung out with Noah. Small world in the church! One goal I had for the new missionaries is to learn all of their names before they reported so I could get to know them quicker! I achieved my goal and I have been able to spend some time talking with each of them trying to offer advice and a friendly hand. They are all so awesome! I heard from them that I got brought up in both of the new district's council meetings on Sunday because of my efforts to be nice and they all appreciated it and said that if everyone could be like me then the world would be better off! I wasn't trying to get recognized for it but just trying to be a friend. I am just glad I can set an example for them and hopefully they can do the same with new districts arriving after I am gone. In getting to know Elder Hughes we learned that we have seen all of the same stupid movies like Wayne's World and Bill and Ted and even Encino Man! We bonded over that and now are constantly quoting those movies! So much fun! If this is the idea for ministering then I love it!
My lessons this week have been going well too! In one of our lessons we read from the Mo'ermenjing this week and of course, our investigator was in the Isaiah chapters so of course, I can't even explain it in English but trying to explain it in Chinese was so hard!!! It went well though and last week my companion and I taught 8 lessons! Grinding it out!
BEST STORY OF THE WEEK. So the bathroom on the third floor where my classroom is was closed and so Elder Engel and I went to the fourth floor and as we are walking down the stairs I hear someone call out, "Elder Ciminski!" and I whip around and I couldn't believe my eyes! It was one of my best friends from John Adams Academy! Jonah Lay (now Elder Lay) but now I see him around all the time and it's like we never moved away! We picked up right where we left off! Definitely one of the highlights of my week!
Now for the clickbait explanation. This week we get our travel plans and visa reassignment areas! So we call that Christmas and the younger districts right Christmas song parodies and sing it to us. I can't wait to see what the future holds for my mission! Wherever I go it is where I need to be! The Lord knows all and has his hand in all things.
I love you all so much!!
Elder Ciminski
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| Me and my companion, Elder Engel |