Hello people.
This week Elder Pilling ends another transfer, makes lots of phone calls about transfers, and is blessed in many ways.
Transfers!!! What an interesting time. We told the zone Saturday night and some tears were shed:( it's a bitter sweet moment sharing people's transfer calls because some people are ready to leave and are excited and others just panic and break down, but we know that transfer is a work of the Lord and people are placed where they need to be.
My transfer has not changed, Elder Clegg (Cleggster as I call him) and I will be staying another transfer here in SLO. What a blessing it is for me to stay, not that I had any doubts I would leave. Feel really good here and have connections left right and centre.
Okay couple blessings to share and then we will get to the good stuff.
So last week after MLC we met Cheryl. Well we set an app ointment up with Cheryl so her daughter could make it and learn also. Tuesday rolled around and we had that lesson with Cheryl and her daughter Cali. BTW that's straight up how you spell it and I think it's super neat. Anyway had a wonderful lesson and invited them to a stake BBQ in Morro Bay and invited them to church and they excepted both!! Very very high desire to learn. Super amazing people. They came to the BBQ and it was great but they didn't make church because Cali had to go stay with her dad and Cheryl didn't really want to come alone plus she wasn't feeling 100% so that's alright. Overall wonderful and I love them.
Next was Friday. Our dinner with a member fell through so we went out to eat at this place called Rib Line. Very good BBQ. Anyway we spoiled ourselves and ordered $20 plates of food. Just about blew the budget BUT THEN, the waiter comes over and tells us that a young couple bought our food.... Hmmm mm how nice. Well we chatted with them and 1. They aren't members and 2. He's a pastor! A youth pastor for a pretty big Christian church here in town. Had a lovely convo, he really appreciates our service and it was super cool. He also invited us to meet his youth group and spend time with them, Ummm yes of course. All we can do to influence others that missionaries are PEOPLE and not robots. It's very interesting though because Elder Clegg and I have 4 pastor friends. Justin, Brent, Mike, and Greg. All are super cool. Some are more open minded than others but all in all we teach them and they teach us. It's super cool and we help build respect for the community. So that was real neat.
Okay last one. We went to visit this potential family but they weren't home, well we knew we were there for a reason so we starterd knocking a few doors. 3rd door and a guy Andrew let's us right in. Just like that. Sit down and his 18 month old has a broken leg!!! So sad. Anyway taught a restoration lesson type thing to him and he really liked it. Very sincere. After the first vision account he said, "That's cool! Never heard that before, I bet that kid was scared." It was an awesome find thanks to spiritual planning. We are going back Tuesday for more:) Super amazing.
Quick update on Mardal... We have decided to put her on the back burner:( she isn't reaching out, cancels lessons, says she wants to progress but her talk is not consistent with her actions. Still pray for her because she is so receptive to the spirit. We will get her (in a good way).
Okay some thoughts I have had lately about leadership in the church. This was shared at our last MLC by Elder Whiting. He shared that leaders (and if you aren't a leader for others, you are still a leader for yourself so listen up) that it's all about RIGHTEOUSNESS and KNOWLEDGE. These 2 things bring about wonderful leaders and faithful instruments in the Lord's hands. Now let's really think about this; righteousness, well the Book Of Mormon teaches so much about righteousness and always promises us blessings to follow. And by the way when you are righteous, and righteous for the right reasons, then you thirst to be rightseous. You know that it feeds your soul in a positive way with the spirit. Now of course if you are righteous just to be righteous your blessings will be few and it will be out of vain... No good. But when you do it out of love, especially out of love for Jesus then that's when you become elevated. And righteousness isn't like a one principle thing. It covers everything. Humility, commandments, charity, etc so it takes a lifetime and an eternity to figure out but that's all a part of eternal progression, which BTW Mike, our pastor friend really finds interesting.
Part 2 is a little different. Knowledge. What a wonderful thing. As a missionary I'm trying to learn as much as I can as often as I can. In the AM I have about an extra hour's worth of studies because I eat super fast and what not and then at lunch I get close to 20mins of extra study and then after the night is over I also get in about 30 mins of study. Not to mention the gospel talks we have with each other and with others. So all in all its about all day! Haha hahaha which I know does not appeal to most of you, but it definitely appeals to me. Study the Bible, study the Book Of Mormon, study Preach my gospel, study church history, study the teachings of Presidents, study general conference talks, study study, study. And the more consistent we are the bigger desire we have to study because we begin to desire the spiritual fill-up associated with it. So to be a better leader, over yourself, or over others, just study. Study so you can help others! The YSA sisters are teaching this guy Hayden and Hayden brought up a concern which would probably make some of you question so I won't share it haha kinda not funny but you get it. But the point is, I studied a couple hours for this guy who I've only seen once because I'm trying to be righteous and fulfill my assignment as an instrument to teach in the sight of God and I'm trying to bring more knowledge into someones life. And I found multiple answers but it all comes down to faith and Hayden struggles with that.... Anyway you get the point. That was a terrible example I just decided. I didn't even resolve his concern (although Tbh only God can...) well this is useless information. This is hilarious tho. Came across this at lunch.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Only some of you will get why I love this so much.
Zone activity was so beautiful last week. We bought everyone donuts and it was a blast. I'll attach some photographs.
Well should probably bear my testimony since this email is way below average.
I love Jesus. That right there is the single most important person and thing I could have a testimony and love for. P Nakken always says the only relationship that should be more important than the one with our spouse is our relationship with the Godhead. I love them all, they are the reason we have any ounce of success.
Love you all I'm sure. Cake enjoy your new assignment and transfer and the accents.
Elder Pilling
2375 Johnson Ave
San Luis Obispo CA
93401
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