April 26th, 2021
Heyo! That trip to NYC sounds flipping awesome! This week I got to go on lots of exchanges with different Elders in the district. All were wonderful experiences and I learned tons from everybody. More than anything I learned that no matter who you're around, they've got something that you can learn. Something that can help you grow. There are some people that look for those opportunities to grow and learn and others that don't.
One of my favorite scripture stories is that of Nephi breaking his bow and his whole family complaining about it. I think it was Elder Holland who said, "there is no situation bad enough that complaining won't make it worse" and that's how it was with this family. Complaining and murmuring galore. Then Nephi finds a solution to their problems and makes himself a bow to go hunt for food. And then in what I see as one of the biggest acts of love and humility Nephi went and asked his murmuring father for direction. Instead of telling his father off and letting him know of the terrible example he was leaving his children, Nephi asked him for help. He gave him a chance to repent. And the father listened.
Oftentimes people that presume an authority of sorts tend to look down on others and aren't very receptive to counsel (especially when hungry) but that wasn't the case here. So that's what's been going on this week with my new companion. He knows many things and it's been a wonderful adventure learning from him. So yeah, always look out for opportunities to learn from those around you.
