I think I can honestly say that this week has tried my love and patience more than any other week on my mission. It starts out with Monday. We had an INCREDIBLE lesson with Grace! She is listening to the CD's of the Book of Mormon we make her, and is understanding what they mean. She told us that she might be going out of town for the long weekend, so the only chance we could meet with her before she leaves is Thursday night. That's the day that we have to convince her to stay and come to church, or she cannot be baptized on September 8. As the week goes on, we schedule A TON of appointments for Thursday. We found a family that is SOLID that wanted to learn more Thursday. They are super busy, and Thursday is their only free day. So Thursday is looking like such a good day.

Leading up to Thursday, Elder Newkirk has been acting a bit childish. He hates that I am obedient, that was made clear a while ago, but he also throws a fit when I try and show him how to do certain things in the office. I try to be in the field as much as possible, but he's quite the opposite. So Wednesday afternoon, our district leader said that we were going on exchanges Thursday, and that I was going to be with him in his area. Slightly bummed that I would miss the lessons, I trusted that Elder Newkirk would do a great job. We planned the night before and had every hour of the day planned out, with exchanges and everything. While with Elder Yates (our district leader) we had such a powerful day! We had an incredible lesson with a lady about the Plan of Salvation. It answered SO MANY of her questions! She wants to get baptized so bad! She just has to quit smoking first. We tried contacting some potentials, but no luck. We decided that our time would be used best tracting. We found 3 families that are all looking for a church that can answer questions about where we are going after this life, why we are here, and where we came from. Like I said, SUCH a powerful day! Friday morning, we exchange back. After studies, we hold our weekly planning session. I was eager to hear how the lessons turned out. I asked him what our numbers were for Thursday, he told me zeros. He told me that he went to the office, forgot his planner at the apartment, and forgot that there were lessons scheduled. So he hung out in the office till 6, spent 2 hours trying to find an Arbys, and then went back to the apartment... I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Friday we tried to visit those families, and find out that ALL OF THEM were waiting at their homes for us to come the day before. THAT NEVER HAPPENS! Oh I was irritated, but the fact that he missed those lessons didn't get me mad. The fact that he didn't CARE that he missed those lessons made me mad. So the trust that I had in him isn't the greatest. I sat there and said a prayer in my heart. Asking that I could forgive him. I am trying so hard to make this companionship work. But it is difficult when one part isn't trying. The thing that bugs  him the most about me is that I try to be obedient. Wake up at 6:30, exercise, study, and work hard till 9:00 pm. Simple rules that are easy to follow. Well, I guess not for some people... Surprisingly to me, I'm not to bothered about it. The Savior was exactly obedient, and lots of people didn't like him. John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments". Enough said. Elder Newkirk did ask me a question that was interesting. He asked how I would feel success as a missionary at the end of my mission. He answered his own question before I could. He told me that if he baptizes lots of people, and is a zone leader, he will feel successful. I told him that I am the exact opposite. I could care less if I am a zone leader or a junior companion for the rest of my mission. If I baptize 100 people or 1 person. That doesn't define success to me. I will know I am a successful missionary when I am sitting on the plane going home, and can look back and honestly say to myself that I was obedient and gave it everything I had. If I can do that, I will consider myself a successful missionary. It's an achievable goal for any missionary. It just goes back to John 14:15...

I love being out here. With all of my heart. This work is the most important work that can be done on this earth! It is so nice to wake up in the morning every morning and be excited about the day to come! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

Elder Michael Litchfield