Oktoberfest in Hyde Park

Elder Blotter of Vernon, BC

Well it has been quite week for the Blotters here in Hyde Park Utah.  It sounds like you are very busy in your new capacity and area.  Word on the street from a few of my patients, Vancouver RM's, is that the Vernon - Kelowna area is the best part of the mission.  I have witheld that information because I wasn't sure if you would ever get over there.  You have a propensity for remote northern towns.  I'm sure that you will like Vernon quite a bit.  Being a zone leader will also be a fun experience. 

Zone Leader 101:  A big challenge is to do everything that you need to do to be a good zone leader AND find and teach people within your own area.  Big challenge, but to lead, you must do this.  People are pretty good and identifying leaders who assume the do as I say, not as I do,  category.  My zones were a reflection of my area.  When we had things cranking in our area, our zones were usually cranking as well.  It is great to be bold and flambouyant,  but at the end of the day humble street contacting and figuring out how to get the members to do missionary work are paramount to success.  It is good to try to get others to think big, and not allow bounds or limits on what they can achieve.  Successful people are often those who think a little over the top, and are not afraid to take risks.

Leading a volunteer corps can be daunting, and it sounds like you learned that in the first few hours.  Very very few people in this life will have the motivation that is hard-wired into your DNA and you must learn to accept this and work around it.  The key is to figure out not how to make someone conform to your expectations, but rather for them to improve in their own realm and achieve something better.  Learning how to bring out the best in people is a key skill that not all possess.  Lift those around you, patiently.

At times accountability is daunting.  Stake Presidents, Bishops, Mission Presidents, other missionaries.  Ultimately, you are accountable to The Savior, and you have to let go of the worries of the others.  A feature of the Blotter personality is pathologic worry.  Excessive worry.  There are things you cannot change.  Fight the fight tooth and nail but do not give room for excessive worry or anguish.

Enjoy the mission.  While there are stresses for certain, it is a time that you should try to find time to enjoy. Your mother and I spoke in church today and it was kind of fun.  The heart of my topic was Elder Oaks talk on "No Other Gods Before Me".  It is amazing how many other gods we place before The God of Israel.  Certainly some things that I need to work on, but getting the members to be motivated is key.

Well, on the homefront,  I'd have to say that things are pretty good.  Your brother Jed has developed quite a sense of humor.  He is really funny to be around.  The dentist put a little flouride that does not taste great on his teeth the other day and he asked, "Show me some mercy, and give me some water."  He is always just saying and doing goofey stuff.  His football coaches love him though, and he is already being recruited for next year.  Jacey is just as sweet as ever.  Love that kid.  I took her and her soccer friends to the Haunted River Trail last week and we had such a fun time.  I walked through that thing with a bunch of 9 year old girls who had a death grip on my coat. 

Grandpa Blotter seems to be recovering quite well, which is fortunate and is back to his old self.  Grandma is as spunky as can be and relishes her missionary grandsons.

Well, hope the week is a great one.