Texas servin' Trayners: It's About TIME

There is a clock on our bathroom wall that can't be trusted. I can never be sure if its batteries are running low and if the time it tells is accurate. Time is an interesting subject. Time can pass by rapidly, yet there may be times in our lives when it drags on forever. Remember how long summer break from elementary school was? During my service here in Texas, time has disappeared as in the "blink of an eye."
The ability to manage time wisely is a characteristic of a successful missionary. By using time wisely, a missionary is able to plan for and achieve meaningful goals. The manual "Preach My Gospel" has an entire chapter devoted to using time wisely. It says something that I feel everyone can put into practice daily, "In your prayer at the end of the day, give an accounting of your work." We are, and will always be, accountable to God for how we spend the time that He has given us here on earth. I have to remind myself frequently that "busyness" is not necessarily evidence of the wise use of time. Using time wisely and with accountability is one of the abilities I hope that our missionaries can master and then take into their future lives. In the Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-32, we read:

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward...Men should be engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward."

Here are some of the activities that account for my time in the past month:

1. We held four three-day conferences in four different locations. We trained the entire mission (for the second time) in the eight fundamentals from Preach My Gospel

Sinton Zone

Corpus Christi Zone

The "valley"- McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, and Hidalgo Zones

Harlingen Zone

Brownsville Zone

Laredo Zone

2. We sent home more great missionaries (who we will miss!) and we welcomed a few more...

Welcome to the Texas McAllen Mission!

3. We attended an Area Seminar for Mission Presidents in Arizona:

Taking a break at the hotel to watch the BYU football game!

4. We spoke in sacrament meetings and even a youth fireside:

4. We bid a wonderful couple good-bye and we hope that they are now enjoying those grandkids!

5. I finally finished our mission's "Title of Liberty." It was begun on the fourth of July when each Zone came together and "rent" their clothing like Captain Moroni. They vowed to "...stand fast in the faith of Christ" (Alma 46:27). Each missionary submitted a torn piece of fabric with a scripture reference written on it.