Sigma Fresno

This week has been awesome and also a huge adjustment. I feel like I'm still trying to lock myself in. But this week was so fun and busy. My companion and I get along well, and he's just another version of me. We think the same things—it's sometimes scary.

We've been having so many good contacts with people, and there are so many people interested in the gospel here. We had a lesson with our friend Kholin with a member who joined us named Abby. We taught the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Spirit was so strong. After the lesson, he told us that running into us was part of God's plan for him. The day we originally ran into him was a rainy day, but surprisingly, a lot of people were willing to talk to us in the rain that day. I think my teaching skills have gotten a lot better here, and I'm really learning how to apply the gospel to myself and others even more.

The YSA ward is really fun, but going Sunday was a little overwhelming because there were so many people there I didn't know. Sometimes talking to people all day drains me (in a good way), but it's hard. I would never talk to everybody back home before the mission. I want to be a more outgoing person when I get back, but it always tests my faith to get outside my comfort zone.

I think the mission has helped me with my social skills, but the only reason why I even want to talk to people is because I love them. And I know that Jesus loves them so much. Lately, the people we've been working with have such a strong desire to repent but feel like they can't repent and overcome sin. I definitely relate to this. It's so easy to feel like we're not good enough for Christ.

I heard something I liked from a recent convert, Abby, and it really perked my ears. She said, "The reason the Holy Ghost whispers to us is because it's always close to us." I mean, it makes sense. Why would it need to speak so loudly to us when it's so close? I'm so glad that I have the gift of the Holy Ghost. I wouldn't last on this mission if I didn't have it.

Love,

Elder Berry

I hope you have a good week! If you ever want to info-dump how your life is going, you can email me! I always read them and try to get back!