Week 3

It's wild how fast life can change. Sometimes I catch myself thinking about my old life, and it's like trying to grasp a handful of sand - the more I think about it, the more it slips away. But that's okay. This new life as a missionary is all I've got now, and honestly, I'm not mad about it. In fact, I'm loving the crazy ride that is my daily routine. From scripture study to teaching lessons, every day is a new adventure. My daily personal study from 9-10 AM has become a highlight of my day. Initially, I struggled to get into the habit, but over the past week, I've been focusing on ways to make my studies more effective and retain more information. It's amazing how much of a difference it's made! I'm now excited to read and learn every day, and my companion has noticed the change in me too. He's loved seeing how fast I'm improving, and it's been great to share what I've learned with him. I've been studying the Bible, specifically the Gospel of Matthew, and I'm fascinated by the parables Christ taught. One of my favorites is the Parable of the 10 Virgins. As I've reflected on the Parable of the 10 Virgins from Matthew 25, I've come to realize the profound impact it's had on my own spiritual journey and missionary work. The parable's message about being prepared for the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ resonates deeply with me, and I feel a sense of urgency to share this with others. The story of the wise and foolish virgins has taught me the importance of personal responsibility in my faith. I've learned that I can't rely on others' spiritual preparedness or good works; I must cultivate my own relationship with God. This realization has driven me to prioritize my own spiritual growth, ensuring that I'm always ready for Christ's return, whether it's today or in the distant future. In my missionary work, I've seen firsthand how this parable's message can transform lives. I've met individuals who, like the foolish virgins, have been unprepared for life's challenges and spiritual milestones. But when they've taken personal responsibility for their faith, investing time and effort into developing a deeper relationship with God, I've witnessed remarkable growth and transformation. The wise virgins' response to the foolish ones – "Go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves" – has become a guiding principle in my ministry. I've come to understand that my role is not to provide spiritual shortcuts or handouts, but to guide and support others as they develop their own faith and relationship with God. By doing so, I'm empowering them to take ownership of their spiritual journey, rather than relying on others. This parable has also reminded me of the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. As a missionary, I've faced numerous challenges and uncertainties, but the Parable of the 10 Virgins encourages me to stay vigilant and focused on my spiritual priorities. It motivates me to continue sharing this message with others, urging them to prioritize their own spiritual preparedness and relationship with God. The impact of this parable on my life and ministry has been profound. It's taught me the value of personal responsibility, spiritual preparedness, and the importance of guiding others to develop their own faith. As I continue on my missionary journey, I'll carry this message with me, inspiring others to be prepared for the 2nd coming and to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I've also started re-reading the Book of Mormon, and it's been a blessing. I used to find 2 Nephi boring, but with my improving study habits, I've been enjoying it, especially the final chapters that talk about the great apostasy and the Book of Mormon's upbringing, "And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible." I love looking for the funny verses. I've been working with a few individuals, including Betty, who's wanting to come to church and believes that our church is the one she needs to go to. She's super faithful, despite having no car, and we've offered her a ride. She's got lots of health issues and money issues, but she's getting a new place, and we're excited to see her at church. She's a bit rambly, but we've been working with her, and she's doing better. We got her a ride to church, and she's super excited. Another individual I've been working with is Rose Munoz, a kind and nice Hispanic lady. She's been feeling lonely and depressed, but she's striving to build her relationship with God. We're reteaching her everything, and it's been a great experience. We had a super good lesson, and we talked about the Plan of Salvation and why we're here. We also watched the temple tour video because she was interested in temples. We're also preparing four kids for baptism on October 12th – Athena, Sadie, Derrick, and Greyson. They're all around 10 years old, and we're trying to keep that desire in their hearts. We're working hard to get consistent teaching appointments with them and prepare them for baptism. I've been participating in the Purification Challenge, and I've already seen many blessings, especially in my scripture study and teaching. I'm more confident and clear in my lessons, and it's been amazing to see the impact it's had on my ministry. Time is flying by, and it feels like just yesterday was P-Day again. I was saddened to hear about President Nelson's passing, and our mission has been saying prayers for his family. It's also exciting to see a new chapter in our church with a new president while I'm on my mission. In my teaching, I'm struggling to stay small and simple during first lessons. It's easy for me to get carried away and teach a whole restoration lesson because I love it, but I need to keep adapting to split the lesson into pieces and keep it simple and understandable. In Johnstown, our area has been in a drought of finds recently, but we've had some new people come to church. We're trying to be steadfast and patient, but it's easy to blame ourselves when things don't go as planned. I'd appreciate your prayers for our area that their hearts may be softened and they'll want to hear our message. It's finally raining in Johnstown, and it's been a welcome change. The green foliage was dying early due to the drought, but the rain has brought new life. I'd love your continued support and prayers as I continue on my missionary journey. Your love and encouragement mean the world to me. Love, Elder Batman