Week 22 Oh boy!

Wow what a week. Well, I got a new companion, his name is Elder Burt and he's straight out of the MTC. So yes, I am training out of my training, and I am group leader of this area (which is pretty much like a bishop for the area). It is the same area; Alaverdi, the one my trainer and I opened 3 months ago, and I cant express to you how hard my mission has got in a matter of a week's time. Yes the language is hard, but I have been so blessed with the gift of tongues, understanding and confidence. Sometimes it scares me with the stuff I say and the confidence I say it with. Language aside, everything is so so hard right now. I spend hours on my knees through out the day. I feel like I am doing everything because I am. I plan the days, I teach the lessons to investigators and my companion/language, I talk to people on the streets, I manage the money, I cook, I clean...the list goes on, hopefully only for now.  I am pulling the weight for two people. I am straight out of my training, I can take care of myself but a living breathing 19 year old...It's hard, let alone teaching him and helping him with the language. Especially because we are polar opposites. He doesn't talk. Like at all. I think he's said maybe a few things in the past week, besides language and culture questions. It's hard being the only companionship in Alaverdi which is an hour away to the closest missionaries when your companion is socially not with it. It has been an extremely busy but lonely week. I have never felt like there has been such a weight on my back, I physically can feel it at all times. On the first day together last Thursday, I woke up and felt sick with how much was on my shoulders, and some mornings I wake up just worried for the plans to work out and for investigators to progress, the list goes on, but I don't show a bit of worry to my comp. or anyone else i'ts all between me and my Father in Heaven. I spend A LOT of time on my knees. And by 10:30 I am exhausted. I am trying to balance my time and figure things out so that I can help my trainee, but also help my self so that I will be in a state where I can help others. whether that be language studying or spiritual nourishment.  My trainee is a good guy, and very smart. But like I said, he is extremely quiet and that makes things really hard. It makes things very lonely being in out in Alaverdi. Especially with how close Elder Wood and I were. And I realize how much I miss  him. That being said I look forward so much to all of our meetings with investigators and members so much. I have developed such a stronger connection and love with members now and investigators that I didn't have before. Many of them have said very kind things to me about how I am one of their favorite missionaries, and that I speak so well for how long I have been here, (it's just because Elder Wood isn't here anymore haha), he was one of the best speakers in the mission. And I speak like I own the place... But at the end of the day I always tell them that without God I am nothing, really though its not me. On Saturday night I gave out talks to the members and called all the members and investigators to come to church the next day, and planned the day, and cooked, etc. I conducted sacrament like a bishop does or one of his counselers. Its kind of funny a 19 year old missionary is running a sacrament of around 20 people depending on the week, that are older than him. Sometimes I just go to bed at night and think wow, what the heck did I just do. I couldn't do any of this with out Heavenly Father. Although this is one of the hardest things I have done, I am grateful for this opportunity and I know that in times like these is when the growth takes place. I have never felt so much help from the Lord in my life until now. As Nephi said, the Lord doesn't give commandments to his children, unless there is a way to accomplish it. And I have noticed that so much. I sometimes scare myself with what I say and how I say it. But I know it's not me, that these are all gifts and tender mercies from the Lord. I know that he is very aware of all of us and all of our needs. I have seen his help so much this last week and continue to see his help daily. I love you all so much and miss you guys more than I ever have.

 Love Elder Lunt