I got the best missionary to train

Email to the padres

Monday, September 14, 2015
I ran out of time, but I just wanted to share what I wrote President Ware. Love you!

Hello, President Ware!
It was so great to see you yesterday at the missionary training meeting. That was such a great experience. I learned a lot about that chart that was handed out and I am so excited to apply it. What a great opportunity we have to work with the members on this work.

This week has been crazy! I've been amazed at the strength I've been given to be a trainer. I feel so strongly about not letting there be a huge difference in my mind between being a regular missionary and being a trainer. I feel like as long as I'm working hard, doing my very best, and then repenting when I fall short, the rest will take care of itself.

It's been such a blessing to work with Sister Hamblin. I honestly feel like I got the best missionary to train! She is so bold, and she is so willing to teach, role-play, and just jump in. She really learned so much at the MTC and she is applying it. I have been so impressed with how prepared she is. It's hard to notice anything she's struggling with because she's so willing to jump in and do the work in spite of whatever it is that she's having a hard time with. I'd say she's still adjusting, naturally, to being away from family. She's had a hard time with not being able to talk to her friends as often as she wants, but I can see how willing she is to do what the Lord wants her to do. I know that because she's someone who's so in tune with the Spirit, she'll be able to recognize what the Lord tells her of how she can improve.

As far as how am I feeling about all of this... like I said, I've been pretty at peace and confident about it. I've taken a lot of confidence in applying the doctrine of Christ. I'm trying to remember to not get comfortable to the point of slacking off, but I'm so grateful for the Spirit in my studies that taught me this morning to just keep trying. This life is a process, and being a perfect trainer is a process. I can take confidence in trying my best and know that I have a companion who will help me make up the difference, as long as we're relying on the Spirit.

The 12-week program is doing well, as far as I can tell. We went over it a little before the trainer/trainee meeting, and I think that helped her a lot. I'm not really sure what exactly needs to be taught. It's not as specific as I want it to be sometimes! Haha. But I've just been trying to do what comes to my mind and pay attention to how it feels. I'm so grateful for the Spirit! I'm grateful for Preach My Gospel and the training and study materials we have. She really likes training as well. It's been an interesting week full of meetings and not being able to finish weekly planning, and it's cute to hear her say, "We need to do training!" Haha. I just remember not being as willing to do training, and I am constantly impressed by Sister Hamblin's desire. She really is training me, President!

So I'm in good Spirits. I can continually feel the Lord strengthen me.

***

I'm so grateful for my new companion! She is so ready to serve the Lord. I think that's been the greatest miracle of all this week. She isn't afraid to talk to people, and she's willing to rely on the Lord to gain more confidence to do his work. The miracle as well is that the Lord has given me strength to lead and to train. I couldn't ask for more than that. I'm grateful for a new week with more time to go find people to teach! I'm grateful that Sister Hamblin is excited for that as well.

~Sister Nielsen