This week we had exchanges with the elders from Almaguer, which is the area right next to us. I was with Elder Whetstone for the day and it was pretty darn fun. We were walking down the street and this lil filipino boy gets our attention to show us his small fish that he caught.
His friend also had one so we took a picture while we were manhandling their fishes. In hindsight, it was pretty gross, but I used rubbing alcohol after so I don't think I got any diseases.
They slept over and we went to Zone Conference together the next day, which was pretty darn fun, as usual. President Craig talked to us about Gathering Israel, how various people have lost their birthrights in the scriptures (and what that means for us), and about the blessings given to the tribe of Ephraim. It was pretty darn cool. Elder Koontz, one half of a senior companionship in the mission, gave a nice little message about Ammon, the Nephite missionary in the Book of Mormon, and I really liked these verses in Alma 17:
31 And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.
32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water.
I really like the imagery of this missionary "[rushing] forth with much swiftness," and gathering the flocks of the King. I'm pretty sure the Lord isn't gonna slay us if we don't gather all his flocks, but imagine the blessings we could miss out on if we don't try! We can become instruments in the Lord's hand just like Ammon and gather the Lord's sheep to the place of living water. Imagine how happy that would be. Actually don't imagine, just read Alma 26. missionary work is great, even if you're scared the King is gonna kill you the whole time and you don't actually know how the flocks are gonna end up gathered. God's got a plan.
Love,
Elder Menzie
Tagaloging quick time:
Ganon ba? -- basically means that you're questioning the validity of what someone has just said
Zone Con Pictures:
