Talks on Talks on Talks

I gave two talks this week! One at Zone Conference and one in sacrament meeting yesterday. Yes. It was very stressful haha. The first talk was about the doctrine of Christ and was only three minutes. This one wasn't too worrisome, but you know me..I like to plan out everything I say. I am trying to get to the point where I can just write a few notes down and get up and speak with confidence and with the Spirit. That will have to be a work in progress for sure.

I spoke about enduring to the end as it pertains to missionary life. I asked the question, "Are we 'exerting every effort?'" I focused on the first few hours of the day and how we can better exert ourselves during morning work outs and during studies. The phrase, "exert every effort" is one found in Preach My Gospel and I loved that wording. I tried to incorporate as many alliterations to back up that phrase as I could. I think I did a pretty decent job at that. I was real nervous and splotchy and red because the President was there haha.

The second talk I gave was in sacrament meeting about repentance. This talk was supposed to be 15 minutes. Yes. Overwhelming, I know! For my farewell talk, I spoke for exactly 15 minutes and I planned for that talk for weeks. haha. But, as a missionary we are blessed in extraordinary ways and I saw that happen during my talk. I tried to apply what I had heard in General Conference about putting aside your notes and teaching with the Spirit. While I still did have one page of notes at the pulpit, I would have otherwise had about 6 pages of notes to help me through it. I also took my Dad's advice of including personal stories. I hope that helped to keep the audience in tune. Sister Beech and many others said I did very well. Our investigator, R, came, but just barely missed my talk because he came in late. That's okay. I'm glad he was there.

Sister B had her half way mark aka she has been here for 9 months. When I think about that for myself, it really overwhelms me, so I avoid that thought at all costs haha. It was such a fun day though. I made her a little sign and we went to McDonald's because she loves that too! We did service among other things and closed up the night with two lessons. It was quite the day! She is now on the downward slope but we are trying to reach higher than we have before!

Middle parts in honor of her 1/2 mark. 

poster torn in half for half way done.

That is all for this week!

Sister Ray