Sunday, January 16, 2005
PRACTICAL MISSIONARY THOUGHTS (I)
Mail
Starting from the moment you send your mission papers in until you come home, mail plays a much bigger role, and gives you a greater return based on larger emotional investments, than any other time in your life.
a. First and most importantly, you need to try to invest as little emotion into getting mail as you possibly can. The expectation of a letter or packages can destroy the concentration, and therefore the ability to be lead by the spirit, of even the greatest of missionaries. I’ve seen (and been one of those) missionaries who cut proselyting activities short in order to race back to the apartment in order to check the mail. This is something I personally had to repent of. There may have been people I missed because I didn’t finish a housing track or talk to that extra person on the street, for the selfish and silly reason of wanting to read my mail. It will be there at the end of the day. It’s not going anywhere.
b. I believe a reasonable goal would be to wait to read your mail until P-Day. Put all your mail in a drawer or closet out of site. This will enable you to focus all week long on the cause you dedicated yourself to, namely Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. This may also make P-Day a much more enjoyable day as you can appropriately read and respond to much more mail at the same time. Don’t let mail become a shackle to your concentration and focus. Become the missionary who has enough self-control and focus to emotionally let go of mail and embrace the Savior more fully.
You may have (or be) a companion who does not get a lot of mail or packages. Be sensitive of their needs. This is important. Make sure you share any gifts or treats that you get. There are those who become depressed because of a lack of letters and it severely effects their work. Have your family or friends write to your companion as well. This will make your companion (and indirectly yourself) happier, more effective missionaries.
