I will leave off the other normal details from this week, but will copy and paste a list of things I have learned from companions and areas. The list is long, so I understand if you don't want to read it all, but it's there if you are curious of the sore repentance I endured over the mission. ;)
What I learned in areas and from companions:
MTC:
Elder Longmire: Power of testimony in inviting the spirit.
Milford Ohio:
Elder Brasher: How to be a missionary.
Communication.
Gained testimony and learned to recognize the spirit.
Elwood Indiana:
Elder Searle: Obedience.
Diligence.
Power of working with members.
Kettering Ohio:
Area: Overcoming sin.
How to work with and build trust of members.
Elder Klingonsmith: Open your mouth and speak to everybody.
Don't try to fix your companions, focus on you.
Elder Adam Hall: Importance of seeking knowledge.
Elder Holman: Communication.
Follow the spirit.
Don't be rigid, live the spirit and letter of the law.
Power of the priesthood.
Angola Indiana:
Area: Power of Atonement of Jesus Christ, became converted.
Experiencing Atonement leads to missionary work.
Sanctification.
Leadership.
Elder Rickey: Obedience, rules are there for a reason.
Diligence.
Companionship unity.
Boldness when moved upon by the spirit, increase of love afterwords.
Hamilton (Twig) Ohio:
Area: Self control in morning workouts.
Patience with others in changing.
Journal writing.
Elder Glad: Companionship unity, having fun while working.
Diligence and sacrifice brings great blessings and joy.
Open your mouth.
Auburn (Kendallville) Indiana:
Area: Changing culture in the branch.
Joy of teaching families.
Follow the spirit to find.
Have optimism, being a successful missionary.
Elder Westover (training): Boldness and love.
Power of using memorized scripture.
Doing stuff together brings great unity and joy (cooking, workout etc...).
Fairfield Ohio:
Area: Patience with change in myself.
Culture is what you make it, (ex: if you say its down, it will be down. If you say its up, it will be up).
Working with Stake and Mission Leaders.
Elder Tingey: Planning.
Short powerful lessons, 50/50.
Setting expectations.
Synergy.
How to work with members to receive referrals and find effectively.
Importance of healthy living.
Elder Fuller: Power of music.
Getting out of comfort zone.
Charity and patience (learn to love what your companions love).
Never deny a generous thought, (this turns a car into a bike with 2x wheels and no windows).
New Castle Indiana:
Area: Power of praying for charity and humility.
Thy will be done. God knows far more what we need, trust priesthood leaders.
Be happy where you are, make the best of your situation.
Power of using+how to memorize scripture.
How to use study journal.
Diligence and focus.
Boldness in bearing testimony.
Elder Smith: Learn how to relax.
Even though two people are completely different they can find power, unity, and joy in having a unified purpose and desires.
Importance of sleep and sacrifice in companionship, finding a middle meeting ground (go to sleep early every other night).
President Porter:
How to liberate yourself from sin and change.
Exact obedience.
Accountability to leaders.
How to recognize and follow the spirit.
How to be a powerful teacher.
Humility, being honest with yourself and God, do not justify.
Its not about being right, its about doing what is right.
Power of the scriptures.
Doctrine of Christ.
Power of faith, healing power of priesthood.
President Welch:
How to be a disciple through:
Accountability to God. Agency, trust in others.
Authentic prayer, power of prayer. Power of memorized scriptures.
Sanctification daily. Minding the gap, dependency on God.
Aligning with purpose.
Effective planning and time management.
Companionship unity.
Becoming a pmg missonary, follow the brethren (choose whom ye represent).
Purging yourself of negative and impure thoughts.
Sister Porter:
Do not complain, criticize, compare, or use sarcasm.
Sister Welch:
Gave the ideal vision of a mother, and future spouse.
Charity with boldness, while teaching and leading.
Importance of image.
Power of music.
Other important experiences or lessons learned, things which have shaped me or built testimony.
-Spirit of Elijah (from Bro. Unklesbay).
-Trust in God (exchanges with Elder Hampton).
-Communication with leaders (Elder Ellis).
-Don't hold back in blessings, speak as prompted (Bro. McElroy).
-Healing power from blessings does not always come as expected. (Ex. Promised a lady she would be healed, 1 week later she found a surgeon who could fix her problem though she had already searched and been denied many times for around a year or more.)
-It's better to seek help and be embarrassed than to sin and become unclean. (Elder Hall)
-Power of the Sacrament, (cast out all my fear and worry, learned this after a long night with Elder Holman and evil spirits).
-Have courage and trust God, (going to Jamie and Gobes and we were safe).
-Leadership, our example effects generations. (District Leader Training).
-Where are my motives? Motivation pyramid (District Leader Training).
-Avoid things which distract spirit, such as music, contention etc. (Patriarch Garcia).
-Joy in and influence of a family who lives the gospel. (Foisters, Robertsons, Nunnery's).
-Gospel centered companionship and unity (President and Sister Welch).
-Lead meetings by the spirit (D.M. In Auburn when I role played asking missionaries for referrals, leaving invitations and promises.)
-Focus and set aside things from home.
-Well functioning ward council (Fairfield ward).
-Cleanliness is next to Godliness (all apts).
-Examples of member missionary work (Sis. Haruch with George+Betty Lyle).
-Ideal home teacher (Bro. Andy Smith).
-Cast the beam out of your own eye (Last transfer).
-Sacredness and reverence of partaking of and blessing the sacrament (New Castle).
-Love of God, witness of the calling of general authorities (role play w/Elder Bennette).
-Synergy, boldness, and following spirit=many miracles (exchange with Elder Murdock).
Departing Testimony: I bear my testimony to you Elders and Sisters, and leave my witness before God at this time that I know that Jesus is Christ, my Lord and my Master. I will continue to do my best to serve him till the day I die with all of my heart, might, mind and strength and I know as I humbly and prayerfully do so he will continue to endow me with power from on high to make me a worthy instrument in his hands to bring about his great purposes. I know that the Lords work is going forth, he is hastening it and we must keep up. I testify that I know that after centuries of being lost, sacred and precious truths of God have been restored by a loving Heavenly Father and Savior, through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God given to us for our time. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and oh how great is the joy in my heart that I can follow him. I love you all and I bear my witness of these things in the name of Gods Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.