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- Semana Tres: The Work Moves On! 🦸🏻♂️💙
Semana Tres: The Work Moves On! 🦸🏻♂️💙
Date
March 4, 2021
Area
HMTC
Companion
Elder Rasmussen
Semana Tres: The Work Moves On! 🦸🏻♂️💙
PREVIOUSLY, on THE LIFE OF ELDER ROUNDY...
(skip if you read my last email)
After the power outage rocked my world and shook things up, power eventually returned! Soon life reverted back to a state of semi normalcy. The water was yellow and polluted for a period of time, but is now as clear as can be, which is a great relief for me and my family. I interviewed my entire district, and using those interviews I've been able to have a bit of insight into how I can best help them succeed! We received a visit from an MTC supervisor, which was very interesting, and we also discovered there is MOLD hiding in our floor! Yikes! Not sure how much money it'll cost to repair... Also, due to either the pee water or the moldy floor, I got sick with a sore throat that transitioned into a cold, which has now completely left! Other than that, I wrote and published a video to Facebook where I rapped about the Plan of Salvation, and that blew up like crazy! So far, everything wrong has found a way to right itself, and everything right has continued to improve. It's hard, it's a lot of expectations, but I know I can handle it!
AND NOW, the STORY of THIS WEEK...
Thursday ~ February 25th
Summary: Slow Start, to Español Powerup! 😴➡🦸🏻♂️
Details:
Today was very busy! I neglected to exercise in the morning due to being exhausted and such, but I did get in a good shower and breakfast. For morning study, I watched the Tuesday Missionary Devotional (that I missed from earlier this week) and then joined my morning zoom class with Hermano Castañeda and the district!
In morning class, my teacher asked us if we had been keeping up with our goals that we had set some time ago... essentially no one had! This made me feel a lot better, 'cause I didn't really get mine done either!
During the midday break, I worked with my mom on Spanish, and recorded a Spanish video on Facebook for my homework.
In the afternoon class, Hermana Moreno was very impressed with my Spanish! I am so grateful that my mom has been able to help me so much, otherwise this may have not been the case... but it definitely feels like, sometimes, the Spirit places the words right into my mouth! Honestly a solid day. 😊
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT- You don't have to succeed at being the best, you only have to succeed at being better than you were last time.
Friday ~ February 26th
Summary: Rugged Terrain, Tired Brain 😰😕
Details:
Today was very tiring! My classes were full of grammar and memorizations. My brain and mind are very exhausted, and my energy is empty. Sometimes I wonder if my teachers give us so much homework to see if we can even finish it all! The expectations are high... I just want to succeed!! I need to pray more.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT- I feel like I'm struggling because I'm relying too much on myself. I know that with the Spirit, all things are possible. I NEED to lean on the Spirit!!
Saturday ~ February 27th
Summary: Pressure in Preparation, and the Passing of a Passionate Person 😭⚰
Details:
Like unto yesterday, the classes and homework keep piling on. I must not be doing something right, because this is getting to be overwhelmingly hard!!!
On top of the intense workload, today I barely found time to attend the funeral of Brother Young, an elderly man in my ward who I'd consider to be the 13th apostle if you will. He was so kind, spiritual, and insightful... and his death has seriously pained me. I think it's extra hard right now because I'm not even allowed to have time to grieve! I have to jump right back into homework and classes... This stress is pressure cooking my soul.
SORRY!! I'll spare you from all the ranting I did in my journal, as I no longer feel this way as I'm writing my email, but I'll share a short direct quote from this day, just so you can know that even people who seem spiritual, in control, and ready to work have hard days too- "If this is how life is always going to be, count me out. Leave me out. Let me warm the bench, draw lines in the sand, and be out of the work. Just leave me alone."
After ranting in my journal for 5 times as long as my usual entry, I added a short message at the bottom, and said, "Tomorrow is a day of rest. Even though we are supposed to do some of our homework on Sunday, I'm only doing what I absolutely HAVE to. I need a break."
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT- God. First.
Sunday ~ February 28th
Summary: Refreshing Relief and Revitalizing Renewal in Christ 😊💙😄
Details:
WOAH! I seriously needed that break! I know now that Sunday is a day of REST for a reason. It's a day for a BREAK from the rigors of the week, a day to focus solely on GOD and on CHRIST. We need a break from work, a break from being busy, a break from earthly responsibilities. HOWEVER, we need to pray, study, and ponder the gospel during this break.
I woke up at 9, and then got ready for church. I took notes during the talks, and prayed for help from God.
Here are some notes I wrote down=
- Worthiness is not perfection, nor is it abstinence from wrongdoing. It is ACTION towards righteous pursuits.
- The Bishop is not there for ward members to go to him and say "I'm doing great!" all the time. We wouldn't need a Bishop if that were always the case. The Bishop is there for those who are saying "I am struggling" or "I need someone to talk to" or "I need to get this off my chest." Just as it was with Christ, the sick need a physician, not the well.
- Our temple recommends carry power outside of themselves. Temple recommends are not a means to an end, but a symbol of our continual striving to be worthy and pure.
- Write down all the names of those who have passed on that you were close to. All these names are now fighting for you across the veil, in unseen ways. 🤍
After our regular church, as the next ward was setting up, we ran into a pair of Spanish Elders!! They saw my nametag and we had a good conversation. Towards the end of the conversation, the elders suggested that they could take me under their wing, and I could experience a Spanish Sacrament Meeting! I said yes.
The talks were very long, and the people spoke VERY FAST. Even though they did, I could still feel their emotions, and pick out several words. Una Hermana y un Hermano spoke, and I have some small points from each.
The Hermana -
"Podemos servir con nuestras sonrisas"
-
"We can serve with our smiles"
The Hermano -
"Si podemos vivir sin energía por solamente un poco días, antes de que queremos energía otra vez, entonces, ¿por qué hacemos vivir sin energía espiritual por muchos días?"
-
"If we can live without energy for only a few days, before we want energy again, then, why do we live without spiritual energy for many days?"
After the meeting ended, I was escorted back home by a companionship of Spanish Elders, and while we talked and walked (I live across the street from the church) I shared with them one of my raps! They seemed pretty impressed.
Even though this seems like a LOT to do in one day, there is more! I went with the Bishop to help a family move into our ward, and I got to lift loads of boxes and bins... and even a COUCH upstairs! Granted, there was another guy at the top, but I was the guy at the bottom making sure the couch didn't slide down the stairs. It was very hard, but very rewarding.
After after AFTER allllllll this, I got onto my computer and did FHE Zoom with my district. Hermanas Vaughn and Pratt took charge of the lesson, and did a game of Jeopardy based on a survey they sent out to the district. Some of the questions were things like "Who dressed up as Captain Moroni for Halloween?" and "Who likes combining garlic and ice cream?" it was very interesting to learn loads of tidbits about my district, and they got to learn a lot about me, too! Once we finished the game, we stayed on much longer and simply talked all about our lives and our interests, our goals and our hobbies... it was very refreshing.
After reading all this, you're probably wondering how I'd consider this a break if I was still so busy! I'd say it was a break because I got to do something different than usual, and get my mind out of my computer and out of my bedroom (where I spend most days in online classes) and instead go LIVE in the world and experience things. It's as my great-grandma used to say - "A change is as good as a rest!"
In the end, I feel really bad that I got so heated and overwhelmed. I really think it was due to relying too much on my own strength, and not enough on the Lord. When I served that family in the ward, I wasn't trying to heft the couch alone, I was trying to serve them as Jesus would. Somehow, that mindset and that Spirit gave me enough strength to do something I thought was impossible.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT - We all need a break!
Monday ~ March 1st
Summary: Hard Times, High Times! 😐➡🙂
Details:
Today was very difficult, but definitely better than last week! My classes were interesting, but I am behind in memorizing the Lesson Principles from the Preach My Gospel book.
After Hermana Moreno's class, she asked me how life was going, and if I needed any help. I told her about Brother Young passing away, and how the workload in the MTC is hard to keep up with. She told me that she would set up a small tutoring session at a later date to help me handle and plan out my days in a way that won't be so overwhelming. I was happy for the help! I almost cried during our discussion, as this week has taken a toll on me... but I kept it together pretty well.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT - Life is meant to be hard
Tuesday ~ March 2nd
Summary: Better Goals, and Beating Gadiantons! 📆📝⚔🗡
Details:
Today was very good, and very FUN! I had my morning class with Hermano Castañeda and the district, and then after class, Hermano Castaneda gave me some SUPER helpful tips on how to manage my MTC schedule.
Here are a few=
-Work for 25 minutes, then break for 5, then work 25 again and so on. You will get more done by giving your brain small, SPECIFIC breaks.
-Manage your PRIORITIES! Some things are important, and others are not so much. Focus on FIRST what is needed for your soonest class, then worry about the rest.
-Split things up! If you need to read a passage by the end of the week, instead of attempting each day to read the whole thing (and shying away from it due to the size) assign specific portions of that passage each day!
-RELY ON THE SPIRIT! Make time for studies every day, or you are severely less likely to meet your goals.
Then after class, I had my Discipleship and Combat campaign session!! Not as many people came, but it was still a solid group. Elder Webber, Elder Minton, and Elder Obbanya were a seriously epic team. Elder Obbanya almost got robbed by a Gadianton, but we cornered him and converted him. Then we entered the Gadianton base, Elder Webber killed the guard, and Elder Obbanya beat the Gadianton's champion fighter, and due to his success, he was inducted into the Gadiantons (as a spy, unbeknownst to them!). It was an epic session, and the plot moved forward quite a bit. I was also told by the elders that they appreciated the break from the busy-ness of MTC life, and I agreed. It was very nice.
After this game, I ate dinner and practiced Spanish with my mom, and went to bed!
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT - Perspective is very important! Take a break, and think things through.
Wednesday ~ March 3rd
Summary: SafetyZone, and Elder Meentone
Details:
Today is the second half of the two-parter P-Day! (Tuesday 12:00pm-10:00pm, and Wednesday 6:00am-4:30pm) I did NOT write my email today, because I was busy doing a SAFETY ZONE MARATHON! The SafetyZone is a series of entertaining, but informative, videos that are designed to keep missionaries safe while they serve.
This marathon took up most of the day, and I cleaned my room during it as well. Then we had Hermana Moreno's Class, which went well! Hermano Rusil took over again (the supervisor guy) and he told us what we needed to be doing better. I got paired up with Elder Minton and we made a spiritual video over zoom! It was pretty nice.
Also, fun fact, all the teachers pronounce Elder Minton's name like Elder MEENTONE, so it's a big meme in the district to call him that. He thinks it's funny, as far as I know!
After Hermana Moreno's Class, she gave me and my companion some help with doing more effective companion studies, which was super nice! I appreciated the help, and I felt the spirit very strong.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT - Goals mean nothing if not kept. Don't make goals if you don't even plan on doing them.
MAIN EVENTS:
-Created and published a second rap - HERE COMES THE RESTORATION! It was a huge hit!
-Went through some serious struggles and trials dealing with homework and the passing of a good friend
-Attended the funeral of my friend, Brother Young
-Binged all 12 SafetyZone videos
-Learned how to make actually good schedules
MY TESTIMONY: I know that God understands us, and wants us to LISTEN to Him! I have not been nearly as perceptive to the whisperings of the Spirit, and as a result, I've been stressed with so many Earthly things because I ignored the spiritual aspects. Spirituality must come first.
PICTURE LOG:
-"Peter" is "Pedro" in Spanish!
-I didn't take a lot of pics this week :/
(skip if you read my last email)
After the power outage rocked my world and shook things up, power eventually returned! Soon life reverted back to a state of semi normalcy. The water was yellow and polluted for a period of time, but is now as clear as can be, which is a great relief for me and my family. I interviewed my entire district, and using those interviews I've been able to have a bit of insight into how I can best help them succeed! We received a visit from an MTC supervisor, which was very interesting, and we also discovered there is MOLD hiding in our floor! Yikes! Not sure how much money it'll cost to repair... Also, due to either the pee water or the moldy floor, I got sick with a sore throat that transitioned into a cold, which has now completely left! Other than that, I wrote and published a video to Facebook where I rapped about the Plan of Salvation, and that blew up like crazy! So far, everything wrong has found a way to right itself, and everything right has continued to improve. It's hard, it's a lot of expectations, but I know I can handle it!
AND NOW, the STORY of THIS WEEK...
Thursday ~ February 25th
Summary: Slow Start, to Español Powerup! 😴➡🦸🏻♂️
Details:
Today was very busy! I neglected to exercise in the morning due to being exhausted and such, but I did get in a good shower and breakfast. For morning study, I watched the Tuesday Missionary Devotional (that I missed from earlier this week) and then joined my morning zoom class with Hermano Castañeda and the district!
In morning class, my teacher asked us if we had been keeping up with our goals that we had set some time ago... essentially no one had! This made me feel a lot better, 'cause I didn't really get mine done either!
During the midday break, I worked with my mom on Spanish, and recorded a Spanish video on Facebook for my homework.
In the afternoon class, Hermana Moreno was very impressed with my Spanish! I am so grateful that my mom has been able to help me so much, otherwise this may have not been the case... but it definitely feels like, sometimes, the Spirit places the words right into my mouth! Honestly a solid day. 😊
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT- You don't have to succeed at being the best, you only have to succeed at being better than you were last time.
Friday ~ February 26th
Summary: Rugged Terrain, Tired Brain 😰😕
Details:
Today was very tiring! My classes were full of grammar and memorizations. My brain and mind are very exhausted, and my energy is empty. Sometimes I wonder if my teachers give us so much homework to see if we can even finish it all! The expectations are high... I just want to succeed!! I need to pray more.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT- I feel like I'm struggling because I'm relying too much on myself. I know that with the Spirit, all things are possible. I NEED to lean on the Spirit!!
Saturday ~ February 27th
Summary: Pressure in Preparation, and the Passing of a Passionate Person 😭⚰
Details:
Like unto yesterday, the classes and homework keep piling on. I must not be doing something right, because this is getting to be overwhelmingly hard!!!
On top of the intense workload, today I barely found time to attend the funeral of Brother Young, an elderly man in my ward who I'd consider to be the 13th apostle if you will. He was so kind, spiritual, and insightful... and his death has seriously pained me. I think it's extra hard right now because I'm not even allowed to have time to grieve! I have to jump right back into homework and classes... This stress is pressure cooking my soul.
SORRY!! I'll spare you from all the ranting I did in my journal, as I no longer feel this way as I'm writing my email, but I'll share a short direct quote from this day, just so you can know that even people who seem spiritual, in control, and ready to work have hard days too- "If this is how life is always going to be, count me out. Leave me out. Let me warm the bench, draw lines in the sand, and be out of the work. Just leave me alone."
After ranting in my journal for 5 times as long as my usual entry, I added a short message at the bottom, and said, "Tomorrow is a day of rest. Even though we are supposed to do some of our homework on Sunday, I'm only doing what I absolutely HAVE to. I need a break."
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT- God. First.
Sunday ~ February 28th
Summary: Refreshing Relief and Revitalizing Renewal in Christ 😊💙😄
Details:
WOAH! I seriously needed that break! I know now that Sunday is a day of REST for a reason. It's a day for a BREAK from the rigors of the week, a day to focus solely on GOD and on CHRIST. We need a break from work, a break from being busy, a break from earthly responsibilities. HOWEVER, we need to pray, study, and ponder the gospel during this break.
I woke up at 9, and then got ready for church. I took notes during the talks, and prayed for help from God.
Here are some notes I wrote down=
- Worthiness is not perfection, nor is it abstinence from wrongdoing. It is ACTION towards righteous pursuits.
- The Bishop is not there for ward members to go to him and say "I'm doing great!" all the time. We wouldn't need a Bishop if that were always the case. The Bishop is there for those who are saying "I am struggling" or "I need someone to talk to" or "I need to get this off my chest." Just as it was with Christ, the sick need a physician, not the well.
- Our temple recommends carry power outside of themselves. Temple recommends are not a means to an end, but a symbol of our continual striving to be worthy and pure.
- Write down all the names of those who have passed on that you were close to. All these names are now fighting for you across the veil, in unseen ways. 🤍
After our regular church, as the next ward was setting up, we ran into a pair of Spanish Elders!! They saw my nametag and we had a good conversation. Towards the end of the conversation, the elders suggested that they could take me under their wing, and I could experience a Spanish Sacrament Meeting! I said yes.
The talks were very long, and the people spoke VERY FAST. Even though they did, I could still feel their emotions, and pick out several words. Una Hermana y un Hermano spoke, and I have some small points from each.
The Hermana -
"Podemos servir con nuestras sonrisas"
-
"We can serve with our smiles"
The Hermano -
"Si podemos vivir sin energía por solamente un poco días, antes de que queremos energía otra vez, entonces, ¿por qué hacemos vivir sin energía espiritual por muchos días?"
-
"If we can live without energy for only a few days, before we want energy again, then, why do we live without spiritual energy for many days?"
After the meeting ended, I was escorted back home by a companionship of Spanish Elders, and while we talked and walked (I live across the street from the church) I shared with them one of my raps! They seemed pretty impressed.
Even though this seems like a LOT to do in one day, there is more! I went with the Bishop to help a family move into our ward, and I got to lift loads of boxes and bins... and even a COUCH upstairs! Granted, there was another guy at the top, but I was the guy at the bottom making sure the couch didn't slide down the stairs. It was very hard, but very rewarding.
After after AFTER allllllll this, I got onto my computer and did FHE Zoom with my district. Hermanas Vaughn and Pratt took charge of the lesson, and did a game of Jeopardy based on a survey they sent out to the district. Some of the questions were things like "Who dressed up as Captain Moroni for Halloween?" and "Who likes combining garlic and ice cream?" it was very interesting to learn loads of tidbits about my district, and they got to learn a lot about me, too! Once we finished the game, we stayed on much longer and simply talked all about our lives and our interests, our goals and our hobbies... it was very refreshing.
After reading all this, you're probably wondering how I'd consider this a break if I was still so busy! I'd say it was a break because I got to do something different than usual, and get my mind out of my computer and out of my bedroom (where I spend most days in online classes) and instead go LIVE in the world and experience things. It's as my great-grandma used to say - "A change is as good as a rest!"
In the end, I feel really bad that I got so heated and overwhelmed. I really think it was due to relying too much on my own strength, and not enough on the Lord. When I served that family in the ward, I wasn't trying to heft the couch alone, I was trying to serve them as Jesus would. Somehow, that mindset and that Spirit gave me enough strength to do something I thought was impossible.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT - We all need a break!
Monday ~ March 1st
Summary: Hard Times, High Times! 😐➡🙂
Details:
Today was very difficult, but definitely better than last week! My classes were interesting, but I am behind in memorizing the Lesson Principles from the Preach My Gospel book.
After Hermana Moreno's class, she asked me how life was going, and if I needed any help. I told her about Brother Young passing away, and how the workload in the MTC is hard to keep up with. She told me that she would set up a small tutoring session at a later date to help me handle and plan out my days in a way that won't be so overwhelming. I was happy for the help! I almost cried during our discussion, as this week has taken a toll on me... but I kept it together pretty well.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT - Life is meant to be hard
Tuesday ~ March 2nd
Summary: Better Goals, and Beating Gadiantons! 📆📝⚔🗡
Details:
Today was very good, and very FUN! I had my morning class with Hermano Castañeda and the district, and then after class, Hermano Castaneda gave me some SUPER helpful tips on how to manage my MTC schedule.
Here are a few=
-Work for 25 minutes, then break for 5, then work 25 again and so on. You will get more done by giving your brain small, SPECIFIC breaks.
-Manage your PRIORITIES! Some things are important, and others are not so much. Focus on FIRST what is needed for your soonest class, then worry about the rest.
-Split things up! If you need to read a passage by the end of the week, instead of attempting each day to read the whole thing (and shying away from it due to the size) assign specific portions of that passage each day!
-RELY ON THE SPIRIT! Make time for studies every day, or you are severely less likely to meet your goals.
Then after class, I had my Discipleship and Combat campaign session!! Not as many people came, but it was still a solid group. Elder Webber, Elder Minton, and Elder Obbanya were a seriously epic team. Elder Obbanya almost got robbed by a Gadianton, but we cornered him and converted him. Then we entered the Gadianton base, Elder Webber killed the guard, and Elder Obbanya beat the Gadianton's champion fighter, and due to his success, he was inducted into the Gadiantons (as a spy, unbeknownst to them!). It was an epic session, and the plot moved forward quite a bit. I was also told by the elders that they appreciated the break from the busy-ness of MTC life, and I agreed. It was very nice.
After this game, I ate dinner and practiced Spanish with my mom, and went to bed!
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT - Perspective is very important! Take a break, and think things through.
Wednesday ~ March 3rd
Summary: SafetyZone, and Elder Meentone
Details:
Today is the second half of the two-parter P-Day! (Tuesday 12:00pm-10:00pm, and Wednesday 6:00am-4:30pm) I did NOT write my email today, because I was busy doing a SAFETY ZONE MARATHON! The SafetyZone is a series of entertaining, but informative, videos that are designed to keep missionaries safe while they serve.
This marathon took up most of the day, and I cleaned my room during it as well. Then we had Hermana Moreno's Class, which went well! Hermano Rusil took over again (the supervisor guy) and he told us what we needed to be doing better. I got paired up with Elder Minton and we made a spiritual video over zoom! It was pretty nice.
Also, fun fact, all the teachers pronounce Elder Minton's name like Elder MEENTONE, so it's a big meme in the district to call him that. He thinks it's funny, as far as I know!
After Hermana Moreno's Class, she gave me and my companion some help with doing more effective companion studies, which was super nice! I appreciated the help, and I felt the spirit very strong.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT - Goals mean nothing if not kept. Don't make goals if you don't even plan on doing them.
MAIN EVENTS:
-Created and published a second rap - HERE COMES THE RESTORATION! It was a huge hit!
-Went through some serious struggles and trials dealing with homework and the passing of a good friend
-Attended the funeral of my friend, Brother Young
-Binged all 12 SafetyZone videos
-Learned how to make actually good schedules
MY TESTIMONY: I know that God understands us, and wants us to LISTEN to Him! I have not been nearly as perceptive to the whisperings of the Spirit, and as a result, I've been stressed with so many Earthly things because I ignored the spiritual aspects. Spirituality must come first.
PICTURE LOG:
-"Peter" is "Pedro" in Spanish!
-I didn't take a lot of pics this week :/
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