Letters from Gene : It's all about Jesus

Well what a special week. Very spiritually filling and mind enhancing.

This week Elder Pilling meets with a general authority, gets picked on by a general authority, and is told not to share anything by a general authority.

Good thing I don't listen very well because I will share all of it:) haha so yes Elder Scott D. Whiting came to tour the mission this week. He was sustained a general authority in 2015 and is quite the dry humour king. Monday he met with the Southern zones in Thousand Oaks and Tuesday he met with the Northern zones in Santa Barbara (us) and it was amazing. So much was taught and so much is needed to be applied it's not even funny. The focus was the Book Of Mormon, but through conversation, we covered all sorts of topics. Here's just a quick thing. So he called on me and told me to stand in the corner of the chapel. Luckily I got to face out instead of in. Anyway I represented the worst missionary in the world. Doesn't do anything, is lazy, disobedient, and extremely attractive. Lol OK I'm sorry I just had to. Anyway the missionary on the other side of the chapel had a halo 😇 over her melon. Elder Whiting grabbed my by the suit and started dragging me up and down this invisible rating line. It was fun, just helped missionaries visualize where they are, where they want to be, and where they need to be. By the time it was over I also had a halo 😇

Instead of telling you what he said, I will tell you what the spirt said to me. First off, it's all about Jesus. Everything. We have everything because of Him, since he's the creator, and therefore we owe everything to Him. So it's all about Him, what does this imply? Well it implies humility, for me anyway. I was taught that I should do nothing in this world for me, because that's frankly selfish and Jesus was the opposite of selfish. Now you may think that you have to eat for yourself and sleep etc but when you observe the grand picture you see that you eat, and sleep, so you have the energy to help others. You get an education, not for yourself, but so you can sustain a lovely family. You don't buy a dark grey GTR for yourself, you buy it for your wife and drive it on the weekends;) haha that's funny. Anyway you see where I'm going. I don't try and be the best contacter to be the best contacter, I try so I can be a more effective instrument when God needs someone to invite them to learn about the gospel. I put on my oxygen mask first so I can help everyone else get their's on ✈ It was incredibly chastising, this week was. Because it's not about me and it will never be about me. It's about Jesus and that's all that matters. What would He do? Well He would turn out when I would turn in.

Here's an example. Last week I wanted more faith. Or to have a stronger faith so I could have that "option" . Since I am super selfish and useless I now see through the lense of Jesus. I can only build faith if my intentions are to help others. That's particularly plain but it is what it is. Elder Whiting used the perfect example: you can't become more humble so you can say you're humble... You can only become more humble when you only seek to do the will of God, because he can then use you as an Instrument. Is this making sense? Idk. Most of the time I feel these emails are for my benefit and you all just skim them and then go back to doing selfish things. OK not trying to be boastful. Haha but seriously. I don't like doing day to day layout because that doesn't help you at all. So I try to teach along the way. Not that I have much to offer anyone. You have been a part of the gospel for longer than 3 days and especially because I'm super slow to learn gospel principles.

Anyway Tuesday ended. We drove home and LIT IT UP. During Wednesday's meeting he said "I believe this mission is very good at giving might and strength but need to give more heart and mind" so on our drive home (1hr 38 mins with Jose behind the wheel in the truck), we really wanted to use our hearts and our minds in planning our evening. So we decided to go to this complex off of Leff St. In 30 mins we located 3 of God's children who want to learn more. Had 2 set return appointments and it was amazing. All because we added a little more mind and heart into the process.

Wednesday started and we got back in the car, this time a Corolla and again, and with Jose behind the wheel we shredded down to Oxnard (2hrs 18mins). The drive is beautiful, literally driving along the coast. Super neat. Anyway down for MLC where we really got hit with the spirit. Or I did. And I just want to let you all know, again, that I know this is the church of Jesus Christ. This is it, this is the truth, and He lives. He loves us all so very much and without Him, we would be nothing. I love Jesus very much, it is through him that we change, we repent and that is what life is all about. Repenting to become more like Jesus so we can help spread the message He has for us. I have come to know Him through the scriptures. Both the Bible and the Book Of Mormon but particularly the Book Of Mormon and that is because it is true. It is glorious and Powerful. The power it will bring into your life is special and unique and WILL give you strength over the useless stupid things of this world, please don't get distracted. I also love the Book. And it is promised that you WILL gain a testimony if you read it, ponder it, and pray about it and I know that to be true.

Okay long email and I'm not done. Friday was my birthday. Was able to tell people I'm 19 which was anticlimactic but that's all good. The lady who owns this home baked me a cake which was literally delicious and the Hermanas made this lemon thing which was super good. We went to lunch with Bishop Platt and his wife and I had one of the best burgers I've ever had. And I've had some really good burgers. Anyway then we came home and since we never lock our door (I know, stupid) some other missionaries broke in and decorated the place for birthday celebrations. It was fun:) The sad part of the day, Mardal canceled our lesson and her baptism interview with President David H. Nakken. So that was rough. BUT she came to church and has 3 weeks off this week so boom let the holy spirt guide. Oh and we had this cool conversation with a pastor. He's currently trying to start a church here in SLO and moved his family from Kentucky or wherever. Anyway he's really nice and genuine. Trying to have dinner this week:) going to be great ☺ and that summed that up.