Of New Suits, Long Drives, and Off-Roading in the Work of the Lord

Justin's apartment in Clinton, CT

Shotgunning an area is really hard work. We are scrambling around, trying to meet as many of the active families as possible and help them with their missionary efforts, attempting to ascertain the less-actives with the most potential for reactivation, and desperately trying to find some investigators. Lots to do, which is good! I'm learning even more what it means to lose yourself in the service of the Lord.

Before telling you about this week's happenings, I'd like to share my awesome find from this morning! We did a little shopping (before coming to the library) to get a "side bag"/"messenger bag" for Elder Gibson to meet with the new dress and grooming standards for missionaries - no more backpacks! As he was looking at those in the Van Heusen outlet store, I happened across suit separates that were on sale. I got a brand new, perfectly fitting suit, entirely by accident, for only $55.00!!! Such a great purchase. I'm really happy about that!

It's been a busy week, that's for sure. Lots of work being done, but lots of stories to share, too! Something interesting and memorable for each day of the week:

We had a bit of an off-roading adventure on Tuesday...thanks to our GPS being set on "shortest distance" we were taken on a very small, very rocky, and very muddy path quite literally through the middle of the woods. We almost got the car stuck at a few different times, but we couldn't back up through a mile or so of forest. It was a narrow escape, but we made it...and made sure to set the GPS to avoid unpaved roads.

On Wednesday, we drove up to Weston, MA (there goes about a fourth of our monthly mileage allotment...) for a mission-wide district leader council. It was about a 3-hour trip each way, and I drove. We made it there and back safely, but it was physically more difficult than I anticipated it being. The meeting was wonderful though and has helped me better understand my calling as a missionary and as a district leader.

After weekly planning on Thursday, we went out with our ward mission leader to visit a few families. He's great, and I feel like things are going to skyrocket here in this ward!

Zone meeting on Friday, and we also met with our only investigator as well as with a prospective elder named Josh - we're helping him get on a mission! He and 6 other young men from ages 17 to 23ish are our highest priority right now aside from finding investigators. I don't believe it coincidence that Elders were put in the Madison ward at this time...we have the amazing opportunity to help these young men prepare themselves for full-time missions, and what a blessing that is!

Saturday morning was fun...we helped chop down a tree in someone's backyard, which was the first time I've ever done something like that!

On Sunday, I witnessed a 14-year-old, wheelchair-bound young man with cerebral palsy pass the sacrament. It was a special moment for me for two reasons: the first of which being that it made me think of my dear sister Keira, who also suffers from cerebral palsy. This young man's condition was mostly physical, whereas my sister has both physical and mental symptoms. The second reason is that no matter who we are or what weaknesses we have (or think we have), the Lord has a work for us to do. We can all take part in this "marvelous work and a wonder" in some way here in this, the "dispensation of the fullness of times." Each of us has something valuable and important to contribute. 

We haven't had much success here yet, but we keep pressing forward! The Lord has much in store for this area and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

With love, 

Elder DeLong