StillWaitingOnTransfers

Hello Everyone!!

So this week was really good, we had a lot of fun. We have transfers tomorrow, and so we went to visit some people that we'd wanna say goodbye to in case we leave....and we literally just found out that both of us are staying!! YES!! A third transfer with the same comp...that's a new one, but I'm glad it's Elder Harker:) so as long as we don't get another call tonight saying differently, we should stay the same, still here in good old Portland:) I love the Portland ward, it's a beautiful place. Anywho, now that that anxiety is over with, we have a lot of work to do!

Right now the main focus of my mission is the "why." And the why is the thing that changes not only a missionary's life and attitude toward the work, but any member's life and attitude. When asked why they come out, a lot of missionaries say "It was my duty," "My parents wanted me to," or similar things. When asked why they stay, the usual response is "Because I love the Lord." We do a lot of things as missionaries, everything from waking up exactly on time and working out, to doing studies effectively, to getting back to the apartment on time, and in between that we work as hard as we can all day to teach, receive and contact referrals, and fellowship investigators with members so they have less of a fear and more of a motivation to come to church, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eventually go to the temple to receive the ordinances required for exaltation. And we do all of that to an exact tee, repenting if we are even a minute late. Missionary life isn't easy. But the why behind what we do can change everything. 

From my experience so far as a missionary, the most effective "why" is because you love the people you serve. Truly, honestly love and care about them and their eternal progression. In John 15, the Savior says "Greater love hath no manthan this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." When you love the people here, you gladly sacrifice your time, your talents, your energy; you fast for them, pray for them, and you don't think about what it does to you. You don't matter, they do. When you reach that level of "why" is when you work your most effectively, see the most success, and get the most out of your mission. You change and get better more than if you were to focus on trying to change yourself and get better for yourself. 

It takes a lot of patience and humility, but it is worth it. I'm still working on it, but that is my why. Anywho, I love you guys! That's my testimony of why I'm on my mission. You can go out for any reason, but the reason you stay is what is most important. I hope you all have a great week!! 

Elder Packer

1-3. Model Plane a member gave me:)

4. My After Picture from WeightWatchers;)