Elder Seamons is going through a rough spot right now. We are actually surprised that he hasn't had issues sooner. It is normal for missionaries to go through highs and lows, but Eric is especially hard on himself.
When you get time, please write him a letter of encouragement, especially reminding him that he doesn't have to be perfect and that he will have many people who will reject what he has to say. It is not his responsibility to make everyone listen.
Please write him at the following address and it will be forwarded:
Elder Eric Seamons
Florida, Ft Lauderdale Mission
7951 SW 6th St Ste 110
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33324-3211
*******************************************************************************
Hi everyone! This is the letter that I just wrote to President Hale. I have not been doing too well the last three days. Mom, you asked me how well I am feeling on a scale from 1-10 and I am at a 3 right now. Maybe even a 2. I don't feel so well. You will read about it bellow.
* * *
Hi President! This has been a rough week for me so far. I have been feeling depression coming on. You probably saw that in my mission papers (that I had depression), but I am having a really bad spell right now. I asked Elder Bolz and the other elders to give me a blessing. I have had several things that have been stressing me out.
There are so many people who disagree with the message that we give, and there are those who seem nice, but just uninterested. Worrying about it has caused me serious stress and it has triggered my depression. I have been still going out and doing the work, but it is hard.
I have felt the spirit so many times, but fear is settling in. The biggest fear I have is fear of people rejecting the message, thinking we are weird because of it, and mocking us. I think that sometimes I become ashamed and I don't feel that I have the courage necessary to do this. I was good all of last transfer, but the past few days I have had depression seriously settling in. I need your counsel and comfort right now to help me through this. Because I know I have overcome depression before, and I can do it again. I don't ever want to give up and go home, even though sometimes, it is almost more than I can bear.
This is going to be rough, but I hope to make it through with your help and with the Lord's help.
Other than that, we have three baptismal dates:
Nicholson Ulysse
Naphtary _______ (not sure)
and Justin (J.)
We taught Naphtary last night, and we met J. and he sat down with us. He said he wanted to change, but wasn't sure if God even existed. I told him about how you can know through the power of the Holy Ghost. He listened very intently, which suprised me. Last night we implimented the things Brother Watson told us about inspired questions and evaluating the lesson afterwards. The lesson was different than usual. It went better. Then we taught Theresa, who had a baptismal date, but is confused about which church to get baptized into and why baptism is even important. We asked her to take a night to herself to pray and to gain that knowledge for herself.
* * *
I need continual support from the outside. It will help me overcome this problem. It makes it hard for me to focus on others, but I have to. I need to not give up and trust in God to carry me through this. I am so glad Elder Bolz is here to help me. I don't know what I would do without him to talk to. He is awesome!
Mom, I have received letters from Laurie every week.
Pray for me. I know you do, but continue. I am so glad I have all the support that I do. Many people do not have that same blessing. I love you all so much. I thank God that I have you. I can't wait until we reunite again, and I am brought back home, successful, with Jesus Christ's help. He is my hero and my Savior. He amazes me. I would have failed miserably without Him.
Love,
Elder Seamons
No comments:
Post a Comment