Week 86- To Lithuania and back

 Hello Everyone,

This was the third zone conference I've been to in three weeks, but by far the best. Sorry Estonia and Latvia. Lithuania of course has my heart. I saw some old friends and re-lived some good memories. It's crazy how much of my mission was in Vilnius. It feels like 90% of my mission was spent in Vilnius even though it's something closer to 50%. 

It was a hard week to be a missionary. I'm ready to not be in the office. It's not as fulfilling. Even though I feel useful and get lots of things done and even do a good job, it's not the same as interacting with people. 

My companion baptized one of the sisters' friends, Julia and it was nice to be there and be a part of that. She was ready. I love when people are happy to be baptized. She planned it to be the same day as her birthday so now it's a super special day for her. Afterwards we had lunch with all the members from the branch who came to her baptism. They had this "salad" that looked like squid mixed with other random seafood items, tomato slices with a large dollop of garlic sauce, melon, grapes, a breaded mystery meat and lemon bread. And juice, don't forget the juice. The only thing to wash down that extravaganza of flavors. 

There have been lots of good things I've read. 2 scriptures I've been thinking a lot about this week have been D&C 130:20-21:

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated,"

and D&C 46:13-14:

"To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. 14 To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful."

I don't understand them quite yet but they've brought about some really good studies from thinking about them and trying to figure out what they mean for me. The more I study, the more questions come up. I reckon the best way to have all your questions answered is to not think too hard about it. 

"Persistent questioning and healthy inquisitiveness are the first requisite for acquiring learning of any kind." ~Mahatma Gandhi

"Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down." ~Charles Kettering

"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight, for a very long time, of the shore." ~Andre Gide

This week didn't have the answers I hoped it would. It was a good test for me in being persistent. I trust that I'll eventually find what I'm looking for but it's a mystery to me when that'll be. To anyone else out there waiting for something, me too. 

Ciao,

Vyresnysis Smitas