Learning and Growing

Family and Friends,

This last Sunday we had the Primary Program in our ward and I must say that surprisingly I enjoyed it. To be completely honestly never really got a kick out of primary programs before the mission... lack of spiritual maturity I think caused me to think they were boring and silly. (Sorry to all you primary program participants and/or lovers but don't worry I've repented and my opinion since then has greatly changed). Months ago I read something about President Kimball in which he was asked, ¨What do you do when you're in a boring Sacrament Meeting¨ and he responded, ¨I don't know I've never been in one.¨ Wow! That hit me big time and made me realize that its all about our attitude as an audience that affects what we get out of a Sacrament meeting or class or primary program or anything for that matter. If we go Sacrament meeting with the right attitude and with a profound desire to learn then we will feel the Spirit and we will learn important and relevant things for our lives regardless of the speaker because the Spirit will be our teacher. I have been applying that principle and it has worked very well... even for the Primary Program! What a beautiful experience it was to see sweet and tender children of God sharing simple Gospel truths. I felt a wonderful spirit of love and happiness as they sang and shared their little messages. Most of all there was part where the mothers sang with their children of prayer and then they all sang Families Can Be Together Forever. In those two moments I felt a sweet confirmation of the Spirit that God really is there and hears and answers every child's prayer and knew that my family and I will be together forever. Primary Programs really are wonderful experiences.

Elder Mestre taught us several solid and important principles that really opened my eyes and helped me improve. It really was just what we needed. There is no way I'll be able to share everything but I will share the basic most important things he taught and what most impacted me. He taught us how to improve our teaching skills, study, and to focus on the doctrine and principles.

Three key teaching skills are to use the scriptures, ask inspired questions, and listen. In order to use the scriptures in an inspired and non-mechanic repetitive way, it is essential that we study and treasure the words of Christ in our minds (D&C 84:85) and then the Spirit will whisper to us what scripture we need to use for each investigator depending on their needs, interests, and circumstances. Obviously the Holy Ghost can't draw water out of an empty well thus we must do our part. Once we've done our part and keep doing our part of daily feasting up the words of Christ (2 Nephi 32:3) and treasuring it up and we have the scripture that we're going to use, PMG teaches us that there are three steps to using a scripture 1. Introduce 2. Read 3. Apply. Everyone knows step 2 and 99% know step 3 but almost everyone skips step 1 they just jump right into the scripture without setting it up. You have to help them understand the context of the scripture or else it won't have as much meaning to them. That is one of the most common mistakes I have seen and it really is necessary because it makes a big difference in the effectiveness of steps 2 and 3. Before reading the scripture do as PMG 180 says ¨Describe briefly the background of the passage you will use. Invite the investigator to look for particular points in the passage.¨ If you ask them a question before reading the passage to guide them then they will be more focused and pay attention looking for the answer while reading it and then when you ask the same question after reading they will be able to answer and that brings in the application quite nicely. For example before reading Moroni 10:4 you set it up explaining that Moroni was the last prophet writing in the Book of Mormon before he buried it and he makes us a promise of how we can know that its true. While reading this passage think about how God wants us to pray to Him. Then you read and then you ask them so how should we ask God if its true (Oh with a sincere heart and with real intent and faith in Christ) Exactly so when you read this and then pray... then you go into the application and then get it really well. Elder Mest

re invited us to memorize scriptures for each principle that we teach so that we won't just repeat the same ones over and over again but that it will be according to their needs and what the Spirit indicates. (He gave a great example of that because in all three places where he taught he cited various different scriptures word for word depending on what the missionaries in those zones needed. Elder Magill and I were quite impressed and it inspired me to improve in my knowledge of the scriptures.)

Asking inspired questions is all about prompting thought, soul searching, and commitment. We need to help them ponder and apply the principles we teach them through questions that we ask. Elder Mestre invited us all to highlight and analyze every single question that we see while studying the scripture to learn how we can formulate better questions as well. One of the biggest problems that many missionaries have is that they forget about this line in PMG ¨Avoid asking questions that: ...Pertain to doctrines that you have not taught yet.¨ For example lots of missionaries know they should ask questions so they think that a great way to start off a lesson is to ask (before having taught any doctrine) ¨So what's prophet to you?¨ or ¨What does faith mean?¨ This often leads to them feeling uncomfortable because they don't know or they try to make something up or they say something that is totally left field and after they've talked for 5 minutes (about how their grandpa is so smart he's like a prophet to them really) you have to steer them back to the lesson. It is so much better to begin teaching in simple and direct terms and using a scripture to back up your words and then ask them,  ¨Based on what we've taught, in your own words what is faith (a prophet, etc)?¨ Then they feel comfortable and you can see their progress and understanding of the doctrine you're teaching. 

After asking inspired questions and always while the investigators are talking we need to listen with great love and real intent. They need to feel that we really care about them and we're not just thinking about what to say next. Shut off the thinking and calculating part of your brain while they speak and don't stress... just listen with love and trust in the Spirit and trust in this wonderful promise by Elder Holland, “More important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more. … If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends” (“Witnesses Unto Me,” Ensign, May 2001, 15; italics in original). After reading this to us, Elder Mestre pointed out the word ¨always¨ ¨What does always mean?¨ He asked us. He then explained that Elder Holland is a Prophet of God and what he says is law and is a promise that we can rely on. Every single time we listen to them with love we will know what to say. It really is true and that is when you teach people not lessons and they progress. 

Most of all he helped us understand that we must teach doctrine and principles not just applications in companionship study, district meetings, and lessons (D&C 43:8, D&C 50:22, D&C 88:77). We should never just tell people what they have to do. We must teach them the doctrine of Christ and when they understand it they will naturally desire to apply what they've learned and live the doctrine.

Love you all,

Elder Remington

Mission Tour and Much More

Family and Friends,

I am quite happy here in Ecuador and I love hearing from all of you through dear.elder and emails. Thank you for your support and the fun updates. Elder Magill and I have been observing a great weakness for many zone leaders, it is that they weren't giving daily follow up with their investigators. Two weeks ago we had a leadership conference in which we gave a training seminar on the importance of having a daily follow up with investigators and how to work better with members. Firstly, we verified how they were doing with the three keys to working well with members (image, communication, and attitude) and it was great to hear several experiences they had in which applying those principles brought great success and made a huge difference. Its always a good ideas to go over what you taught before, hear how it worked for them, and remind them to keep applying it. Basically it serves to help them not forget and it motivates them to pay more attention to the new principles you are a better to teach them because they hear tons of success stories of how well the things you taught before worked and they realize, ¨Hey these guys know what they're talking about.¨

We used a few object lessons and examples that really grabbed their attention and stuck with them. I brought a toothbrush and toothpaste and pulled them out and told everyone that I hadn't brushed my teeth in over three days (ewww!) but that they don't need to worry because I can just put three times the toothpaste and brush them right now and it'll be the same right? Oh its because we eat food and get bacteria on our teeth everyday so to keep them super clean we need to brush them daily right. Oh yeah that's a good point and all of us take good care of our teeth so we brush them daily but why don't we take that good of care of our investigators? (long pause) Don't they have temptations, discouragement, and trials every day? Aren't they more important than our teeth? Then why are we forgetting to have daily follow up with them? We have seen time and time again that the zone leaders who don't reach their goals and their baptismal dates fall through almost always say that they didn't give daily follow up! Likewise the zone leaders that baptize wherever they goal and reach their goal time and time again share that daily follow up was a key to their success. Elders! We have to do it! PME p. 217 clearly explains ¨As you visit people often, you will strengthen the spiritual feelings they felt as you taught them the message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This sustaining influence of the Spirit is vital.¨ We must teach them or at least stop by or call them everyday to make sure they are reading the Book of Mormon, praying, ready to go to church, and excited for their baptism if not they start to develop spiritual cavities. Let's apply this and we will see great results Elders. 

It was a really cool moment because we saw a huge light bulb go on in all their heads and I don't think they will forget that lesson. 

Last week we also had a wonderful mission tour with an Area Seventy named Elder Mestre. He is super happy, positive, spiritual, has a ton of scriptures memorized word for word, and is very loving. Here he is in the picture below. It was wonderful being with him and having the privilege of learning from him and hearing him teach three days in a row as we visited all the different zones in the mission. We had to go from city to city getting everything all ready for him and making sure everything was set up right but then when we finished on they way back to Guayaquil we got to ride in the car with him, President, and Sister Amaya. I loved learning from him and we've really been putting into practice what he's taught us and its been great. I am out of time but next week I will share in greater detail all the great stuff he taught us.  

Love you all,

Remember that the more obedient we are the happier we will be (Mosiah 2:41). Also that hard work brings peace of mind. 

Elder Remington 

Missed Me, Missed Me, Now You Gotta... Pray for Me!

Family and Friends,

I'm back! My apologies for not having written you all in some time but here I am once again writing to you all to catch you up on all the great events that have happened here in Ecuador. Before I do that I would first off like to say thank you to everyone who wrote me such kind, happy, and some super funny cards for my birthday! I love you all and I'm grateful for your friendship, support, and love. The package with all the cards and gifts arrived a month and a half early so I had to practice the heavenly virtue of patience but it was well worth it and I loved being able to finally open it up. Thank you!! 

The first picture is of a crab party we had on p-day with a family of converts that are super fun and happy. They made a ton of delicious crab and other great food and we had a blast eating, chatting, and hanging out together nothing like good people and good food.

Crab Party

The second group of pictures are at the Mora family's house eating lunch and having a little birthday cake for the three birthday boys and girls (Sister Mora, Brother Mora, and yours truly). We all have our birthdays on the same weekend and they sang to us all and we had a good time with them they are hilarious and super fun. You might remember them from other pictures I sent about a year ago in Albonor. They used to be in Albonor ward and we got to be great friends but then they moved in January to this ward. It was great to see them again when I first got to this ward and hang out with them. They crack me up.

Third group of pictures, we went to the wonderful zone of Quevedo Sur to celebrate with them for passing their goal. President gave a great training session/seminar (not sure what the word in English would be haha) for all the missionaries about the Work of Salvation and how to really work together with the members and everyone learned a lot. We had a good time eating and chatting with them there's a lot of great missionaries there with lots of contagious enthusiasm. We hope to see more and more completed goals and lots and lots of baptisms in Quevedo Sur.

Lastly, the great Elder Muñoz finished his mission this week and this picture was taken at the dinner with President right before he left. A great companion, great friend, and great missionary that will truly be missed. I wish him the best and I'm sure we'll be lifelong friends. 

I have learned many wonderful lessons from my Mission President. Some of the most important lessons he has taught me have been that I need to always act and  use my agency and reasoning powers to make wise decisions and never hesitate or wait for others to validate me or confirm that its ok to do something. I should trust in the Lord and show confidence in all that I do. Also, he has helped me learn the need to adapt and adjust to each situation in order to have the best result. Before being assistant to President Amaya, I felt uncomfortable with silence in the middle of a conversation, car ride, or meal. To me, silence for more than 7 seconds was an awkward torture and I constantly felt the need to talk about whatever came to mind or somehow bring up some random, even already repeated or unimportant subject just to keep the conversation going and avoid silence at all costs. President Amaya and Elder Magill, however, are not like that. They both feel perfectly comfortable with silence in a conversation, car ride, or meal and understand that it is normal and natural. To them, there is nothing awkward about keeping silent when you don't have anything important, meaningful, relevant, or interesting to say and the constant attempt to force a conversation along by any means is unnecessary and uncomfortable. As you can imagine, these two different ways of thinking about conversations, car rides, and meals often lead to.... well lets say a great learning experience for me! The first few weeks of my time in the office were often filled with me saying things that had already been said or that were unimportant and then President just staring at me and smiling... I was so confused at first! I didn't get it and it frustrated me and it kept happening over and over and over again hahaha that's not to say that we didn't all work well together, have lots of great conversations, and have lots of success because we did do all those things. It just means that many times I bothered them because I would talk so much and I then would feel uncomfortable and confused because they often wouldn't respond. Fortunately, I have a great companion who gave me lots of good advice and feedback and helped me realize slowly but surely how I could improve and a few weeks ago I finally ¨got it.¨ I still have a lot to learn and improve with it but now we have had several weeks of conversations, car rides, and meals without any uncomfortable moments. Yes there is silence at times and yes its okay. I now understand that it is naive and foolish to think that we ¨have¨ to always talk and talk and talk. What I started to do a few weeks ago and still do is I have my scriptures, liahona, and PMG with me in the car and whenever there is something important, relevant, or interesting to be said or being said I actively listen and participate. Then if several minutes pass by without anything important, relevant, or interesting to be said or being said then I calmly pull out something to read and enjoy reading and learning until someone starts speaking or something important comes to mind and then I speak. It makes for a much more enjoyable and productive car trip. Also Elder Magill has taught me to listen more and talk less in meals and conversations I've been doing it and it makes a big difference.

Now President Amaya trusts much more in us and has given us several compliments and let us do things that other assistants have never done before. For example, he liked are seminar on working with members so much that he asked for an encore and we got to teach it again with the group of new missionaries. I felt really great teaching solid principles with my companion Elder Magill. Life is good.

I know this work is true and it is so satisfying to be actively involved in it and see it grow. 

Love,

Elder Remington

Good Times in the Office

Family and Friends,

I always capitalize the ¨¨F¨¨ in Friends because you are all so important in case you were wondering. This week has been very good. Elder Magill and I were running all over Ecuador in buses to see various different houses to rent for the church because we have 38 new missionaries that will arrive in 3 weeks for a grand total of 220 missionaries (soon we will have 250!) in the North mission... (as Jessica would say) sooo pretty much we have a lot of work to do haha its a little tiring to say the least but with a good attitude its much better. Honestly I was feeling kind of down this week and felt like I didn't quite have the Spirit as strong as normally and I didn't get why if I was still saying my prayers and studying my scriptures daily and going to church, etc. then I realized that I was missing a vital part of the famous 5 Star Day that my cousin Kayla taught me... I was missing the service part. Normally when we're in companionship interchanges and out teaching I always feel great because we serve people spiritually and physically and that helps invite the Spirit and keep you close to the Lord doing what he always went about doing (serving others). But this week we couldn't go out teaching and it was just going from one city to another from house to house talking business and not talking gospel... plus in the buses they play worldly music or worldly movies and even when we don't watch them just being in that environment you can feel a difference in a lower presence of the Holy Ghost because He can't be in environments like that (therefore we have to be super careful about the types of music, movies, and conversations we participate in because we NEED His guidance) thus I was feeling down and a little out of it earlier this week but then the other day I started to serve in little ways like making a sandwich or protein shake for my companion or looking for specific compliments to give to the missionaries we saw and I started to feel much better. Then I studied a great talk by President Eyring called ¨Come Unto Me¨ from last Conference 2013 and it was solid. The thesis is that through serving others we come close to Christ and that if we serve our fellow man while in this life then the moment at Judgement Day when we stand face to face with the Lord we will rejoice and He will say ¨¨Well done thou good and faithful servant¨ WOW! What could be better than that?!? Anyways that really motivated me this week and I wanted to share it with you all. Be sure to always be having 1. sincere prayer 2. scripture study 3. smiling 4. self reflection and 5. SERVE others and you'll be happy :)

The baptismal pictures are from last week. The two that were baptize are the young bucks in blue and black named Daysi and Alexis. Both are great and really excited about the gospel and learning more. Daysi shared a really sweet testimony of how she had a dream a few weeks ago where she saw herself being baptized and knew that it was the right thing to do and how much it has changed her life :) in missionary world there are few better moments than hearing the testimonies of your converts. We share a sector with 2 other missionaries Elder Randall and Elder Silva (the two next to Elder Magill) and they cover for us while we're not there so that our investigators have daily contact. Its a little different because my companion and I don't have the privilege of really getting to know and work with the investigators but its for the best adn still very rewarding :) I love working with and getting to know better Elder Randall and Elder Silva they're both hilarious and Elder Randall goes to BYU so I'm sure we'll be great buds after the guy is legit. 

The other picture is the celebration with the Babahoyo Zone congratulating them for being the zone that most baptized. President started that tradition in February with Portoviejo and he's decided to keep doing it. It's lots of fun and a good motivation. What is very neat for me is that the two zone leaders of Babahoyo Zone (Elder Garzon and Elder Peña) are very good friends of mine and we worked hard together in past zones. Elder Garzon was a district leader in Portoviejo and Elder Peña was a district leader in Quevedo Sur. They both are super smart, obedient, happy, positive, and hard working missionaries and we fought a lot of battles together in those zones and learned a lot from each other. The most rewarding part is to see that they are applying a lot of the same things that they learned in Portoviejo and Quevedo Sur and its bringing them great success. For example, they share with their zone the 8 Attributes and use them, they meet with their district leaders and plan like we did, they do little things to show genuine concern for their missionaries, and they apply many other things that they learned from me and they have thanked me for my friendship and example. That is something special that I treasure because it gives me great hope that what I'm doing will bless the lives of several investigators, converts, members, and missionaries who will then be able to pass it on to future generations just like Elder Linares and Elder Vielma did for me. That is a beautiful thing and its exciting to be a part of it. We had a great time celebrating with them all in Babahoyo and its exciting to see the growth of Elder Peña and Elder Garzon. 

Well thats all folks :) I sure love you all very much! Enjoy Conference bye!

Elder Remington

Preparing for General Conference

Elder Jacoby Remington's Mother: Jacoby's letter refers to General Conference, which might not make sense to some of you.  Those of you who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and receiving this email, here's just a brief explanation of General Conference.  Since our church is a world wide church, twice a year the leaders of the church put on a meeting held in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is then broadcasted to members and others throughout the world.  This meeting is called General Conference, and it's an opportunity for them to teach important truths and gospel principles to all the members of the church throughout the world.  General Conference is October 5th and 6th, and can be found on the BYU channel in the morning and afternoon.  Hope this is helpful.

Family and Friends,

I am excited for General Conference this week and look forward to learning lots of new and important principles and ways to become better. The key to getting the most out of General Conference is the preparation before, concentration during, and application after. In my personal study, Mosiah 2:9 really stood out to me and I think we can apply it to General Conference. This is when all the people have gathered their tents around to hear the words of King Benjamin. He gives them this wise counsel before he begins his great sermon.

I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.

Firstly we need to understand that we can't trifle with conference. We shouldn't just watch conference because its what everyone expects of us and then not really get into it and actively search ways to put in practice what they teach. Something small but important is that we shouldn't watch it in our pajamas while eating breakfast and reclined back on the couch... I know that's harsh and truth be told that's what I did before but then President Amaya taught us something that I'll never forget and I decided that I would change that habit. He explained that the way we dress for an occasion reflects the importance that said occasion has for us. That's why we don't go to church in pajamas, we don't go to the temple in pajamas, and we shouldn't watch the Prophets and Apostles of God in pajamas. We have to make an effort and wear Sunday clothes even if we stay in our house to really show that this is something important to us. He told me that and it hit me like a ton of bricks and I realized that he's right and I invite all of you to not just throw the idea away right off the back. Do it and you'll see that President Amaya is right and you'll get more out of conference. 

Also a huge part of the preparation has to do with President Uchtdorf's talk that I shared a few months ago: "General Conference - No Ordinary Blessing."

I recommend reviewing it again before conference and remember that the key is to go into conference with personal questions that you need answered and then have a prayer in your heart to hear and find the answer while you watch. I did it last April and it made conference so much more meaningful. 

Last key to a good preparation before conference is to simply be worthy of the Holy Ghost. Study the scriptures, say your prayers, go to church, and be obedient so that there is nothing interfering with you being in tune to the Holy Ghost because without Him you won't learn anything really. This includes getting a god 7-8 hours of sleep Friday and Saturday night so that you're not fighting to keep your eyes open! That is something that I can tell you from experience in high school will keep you from learning for obvious reasons. The preparation before conference allows us to have an edifying experience during conference. 

During General Conference, we need to be concentrating on what they are saying and most importantly how we are feeling. Take notes and write down the spiritual promptings you receive (especially things that you need to change in your life and ways to apply the message you hear). DO NOT write down every single little thing that they say and feel like you're doing a great job for writing a ton... they will print it all out in the church magazines so you don't need to worry about writing down a ton of quantity just focus on writing down quality material that is personal and relevant to you. Write down 3-5 personal questions and go over them in your head while listening and through the Spirit the answers will come :) King Benjamin wisely teaches that we need to have our ears, hearts, and minds open. We open our ears by being there seated, properly dressed, focused, and giving our full attention to what they teach. We open our heart by being completely willing to fully apply everything they teach. We shouldn't think that ¨oh well that's nice but I´ll do it later or its not that bad if I don't change¨ no, no we have to have a true desire to apply it. We open our minds by pondering on the messages we hear and thinking of various ways to live what we learn. 

Concentration during General Conference allows us to truly apply what we learn after General Conference. 

After General Conference, the application of what we learned truly will bless our lives. Do what they say and you'll be happy. Its that simple. 

I love you all very much and am loving every moment of the mission. We just had a great baptism and I'll be sure to send pictures next week because I'm out of time! 

Elder Remington

Nothing Better than Being an Answer to Someone's Prayer

Family and Friends,

As the title says, being the answer to another person's prayer is a spectacular experience that we should all have more often and will have more often as we consecrate ourselves more on always doing good things (D&C 58:27) and are more in tuned to the Spirit. Trust me when I say that there truly are few things that give you more joy, happiness, sense of purpose, and a satisfaction from knowing that you're doing what God wants you to do. 

I can't go into details about all the experiences I've had in this week but several times there have been people that were really struggling with some serious problems and we're feeling really confused and down on themselves and through listening and following spiritual promptings I was able to help them. One day we were way busy in the office doing a bunch of reports for President and then out of the blue I felt the need to call a missionary and chat (not understanding fully why or what I was going to say) and then he said I need help, started to cry, and told me of a lot of trials he was having... I had the chance to listen to him, to comfort him, and be there for him. Another time I felt the subtle impression that with a certain companionship I needed to be the one to do a 12 weeks verification (something in the mission that we do every week where you evaluate the progress of a companionship in how they're teaching and working, its normally with the zone leaders but we can do it in special occasions) and in the verification for that companionship it turned out that they were really discouraged, frustrated, and unsure why they weren't having lots of baptisms when they had been working so hard. Once again I had the sweet experience of listening to them, showing that they were important and were doing a good job, and teach them specific principles from Preach My Gospel that really helped them. Their was a special moment when one of the missionaries with tears in their eyes looked directly at me and smiling with great relief said, ¨Thank you Elder for helping us.¨ The Holy Ghost filled the room and I felt grateful that I had been worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost and that when I felt that I had acted. 

I don't share this to boast but rather to share how great life is when we are in the service of God. I know this Church is true and that the Lord loves and looks out for every single one of His children. 

Be happy and serve others.

Love,

Elder Remington 

Things Happen for a Reason

Family and Friends,

Thank you everyone for the feedback and suggestions on the 8 Attributes :) I really appreciated it and learned from you all :) This week was an awesome week for Elder Magill and I here in Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission. Due to lots of new missionaries coming soon for many weeks we had been busy with office work; finding houses, renting houses, filling out paperwork, helping sick missionaries, and making graphs and charts analyzing data for President, etc.etc. By no means will I say that I don't enjoy doing those things, and I for sure understand how important it is that we do those things so the the Kingdom of God continues to be established.... however I will say that there is nothing like working hard and sweating out in  the mission field teaching and serving with other missionaries. You just can't replace that! This week we got to do 4 companionship exchanges from Tuesday to Friday in all sorts of different parts of the mission and it was AWESOME :) I learned a ton and I just love being out there serving side by side with these wonderful Elders :) It really is a blessing to have this assignment and be able to love and know and learn from so many different missionaries :) 

Last week two very interesting events happened that helped me remember and learn an important lesson. First, President Amaya told me very directly that I need to stop mumbling, that he can't understand me at all on the phone, and that I need to speak more clearly. He said that if I keep talking that way that I'll put people to sleep when I give talks or teach. Second, my companion and I carelessly left our cell phone at a store and it got stolen. Ok. Two events that at first glance without taking an eternal perspective of things appear to be very bad. However, when taken with humility, prayer, self-inspection, trusting in the Lord, a desire to always learn and improve, and an eternal perspective then these two events are seen for what they really are.... blessings and opportunities. 

The honest feedback and sound advice that President Amaya gave me was spot on. Ask my parents and they will testify to this that my entire life I have had a problem with mumbling on the phone. I don't fully know why I do it but I know its a problem and I recognize that I need to fix it and now thanks to President for telling me last week I have been really working on getting better at pronouncing clearly and speaking loudly on the phone :) and its worked. Many people would defend themselves and get offended or hurt that President said that but that would just be stunting their growth and missing a great opportunity to improve :) I simply smiled and eagerly said, ¨You're right President, I need to improve. Thanks for telling me and I'm going to do better.¨ Its hard to do many times and the natural man will want to fly out and start to explain how great of a public speaker you are and defend yourself stubbornly.... but we have to learn to submit to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost and be meek and humble and patient (Mosiah 3:19) that is a key to happiness and success. The sweet thing was that a few days later Elder Magill and I gave a presentation together at a leadership conference and President was super impressed and he congratulated us on how good of a job we did in public speaking and training the Elders :) and now I don't mumble on the phone (most the time) haha still got work to do sometimes haha. 

The second event of losing the cell phone was a wake up call to my companion and I. It was a consequence for us of being less focused and not obeying with Exactness. Now by no means am I saying that we were being way crazy and disobedient no, no, no of course not. Just that due to being in the office so much and having to stay up late some nights stressing over houses, sick missionaries, and tons of other urgent things... the two of us had forgotten a little bit of the reason we are here- to bring souls to Christ. Also we sometimes didn't follow the missionary schedule with exactness and were late at times. That's why we lost the phone. President Amaya wisely taught us once that if we are focused 100% on the work and obeying with EXACTNESS, then we will always have the Spirit strongly with us to warn us of any little thing like losing a cell phone. If we had been 100% focused and obedient we would've felt a prompting of the Spirit and gone back right away for the phone and wouldn't have lost it. Simple and true that being 100% obedient is easier than being 99% obedient :) and the painful and humiliating experience of losing our cell phone reminded us of that lesson very strongly! I'm not saying that we should run around losing cell phones to learn lessons but I do know that the price of a cell phone doesn't compare with the worth of being able to obey exactness and always count with the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Therefore I see that experience as a blessing :) I am thankful for the opportunity to once again obey with exactness! D&C 90:24 Learn from every experience!

Love,

Elder Remington