On Sunday, I dropped my reflector on the ground without realizing it. I usually have it on my bag, but somehow it got knocked off. It was Ward Conference, so we had combined adult Sunday School. At the beginning the Relief Society president stood up and held it up and said, "Does anyone know who this belongs to? I can't tell what it is, maybe some kid's toy." I began to raise my hand when a few people from the crowd began trying to guess what it was. A lot of them seemed to think it was a "Vape pen." At that point I put my hand back down. I was bright red in the back trying to hold back my laughter, as was my companion. At the end of the meeting I went up to the Relief Society president and told her that it was mine, and that it was not a vape pen, but a bike reflector. Later that week, we were picking up the trash next to the road, and we kept pointing out trash and saying "Is that a vape pen?" We've had a lot of laughs because of it. Well, it's reassuring to know that Colorado is so clean that people don't know what a vape pen looks like. Haha.
This week I learned a lot about the meaning of being BOLD. As a missionary, we are told we must be bold but not overbearing. It can be hard to be bold with people who, when they see us, they are already closing the door without a word. Bold isn't always in speech, but also in action. It's doing the right thing, no matter who is watching and what they may think. Missionaries aren't always the most popular, but that does not matter. What matters is that we are bold. We are bold as we serve. We are bold as we smile, even as others may laugh or mock us. We are bold as we walk into member's homes and invite them to improve their life. We are bold as we listen to the promptings of he Holy Ghost. As we are bold, we are able to inspire change. It's interesting. For a lot of people when they bare their testimony, they get emotional. I am reminded over and over again that as I bare my testimonies of the truths that I have come to know, I am filled with power and confidence and excitement. As I testify, I am reminded why these truths are important and I am reminded that I am declaring a glorious truth and that the Lord is on my side. I know this and it encourages me as I continue on with my mission, and I pray that as I return home that I will be more bold, more loving, and more patient then ever before. I know that my mission is changing me, and I know I am being changed for the better. One scripture that I really like and that encourages me is:
"3 Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might—
4 Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you."
