"Change! It's a real stinker!"
Change! It’s a real stinker! In my life, I have always hated change; never been a very big fan of it. There are some times where I like a little switch up, but that’s mainly if it’s in my control. All growing up, if I had set plans that then got changed, I would be completely rocked! Hopefully, I’m not alone on this, but if I am, hopefully you read anyways and there’s something along the way that can help you!
Lately I’ve had a fair share of changes! Some that were good, some that were just terrible, and everything in between. This last week, we had a new transfer, which then switched things up even more, making it so I had to say goodbye to some really cool people... which is just the worst thing in the world! Heavenly Father blessed me with the best parents ever who taught me to love with my whole heart, but my heart really doesn’t love change haha!
A while back, when I was going through a little bit of a rough patch, my amazing sister sent me a book to get me through a hard time. I constantly look back at this book and re-read it often! I’ve re-read it this weekend with the changes that came with a new transfer. Although excited to meet new people and serve around new missionaries, I’ve never been one for goodbyes!
Well, that would be a pretty darn terrible ending, wouldn’t it?! Luckily, it's not! One day, as the Missing Piece is just sitting right where it’s at, a perfect circle ("the Big O") rolls by. This circle has no missing pieces and the Missing Piece is shocked! It asks how it can become like the Big O. The advice given is simple... roll! “But I have sharp edges,” replies the Missing Piece, “I can’t roll!” The Big O says to give it a try, “Shapes CHANGE," it says, and then rolls off. The Missing Piece is alone again :/ Well, the Missing Piece tries and, after mustering all its strength and effort, eventually flops over; it then does it again and again. Eventually, the corners smooth, flopping goes to bumping, and bumping changes to bouncing, and bouncing becomes rolling.
I LOVE this story so much! It applies to each and every one of us in different ways and at different times in our lives! You see, this poor Missing Piece had quite the change to make. It had to go from being a pointy sharp-edged triangle to a smooth round shape. The only way for that to happen would be extreme effort, concentration, and even pain. In my life, I have definitely been the missing piece, looking for someone or something to come and help take me along. There have been times in my life where I have found that match and it helps get me to new places and for that I’m very grateful! I would hope that in my life, I’ve also been able to help out other people when they felt they were missing something. But most importantly, and what I’m trying to work on now, is becoming my own Big O.
Although change is terrible, I’ve been grateful for the Lord’s guidance and correction constantly helping me. And although changes often feel like I’m flopping over all awkward and landing with a big thud! I know that I will eventually be more smoothed out because of it!
I’m grateful for change, I hate it, but I’m grateful for it. I’m grateful for the people I have met in the mission that have helped me realize my worth, and have helped me as I’ve awkwardly flopped over and tried to change. I’m grateful for their help and guidance... for picking me up when I really needed it. They probably don't realize the exact impact they had on me, but I am so grateful for them!
I’m so grateful for my amazing family. They have been with me through all my changes, both the good and the bad! They have helped me have courage and strength through the difficult times, and have helped me stay humble with happy changes that come my way. I have the best family ever and they are a constant example to me!
Lastly, I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and my Big Brother Jesus Christ. I know that it is through Jesus Christ and His atonement that I’m able to change and be perfected IN Him! I’m grateful God has allowed me to have all the changes I’ve had. I know each one of them has, or will, shape me to be the exact person He needs.
I hope you all know that Heavenly Father loves you so much. If it feels like He’s breaking off your sharp edges and making you flop over, just know that it’s because He loves you! He wants you to be your own Big O! I am grateful for change, I’m grateful for the changes I’ve seen in myself and for those I’ve been able to see in others throughout my mission.
The church is true! God is good! And we’re going to lean on the Savior's Atonement and keep flopping around in this life. That is, until we are in his presence and we will have the opportunity to then be perfect:) Love you all so much! Have an amazing week!
Lately I’ve had a fair share of changes! Some that were good, some that were just terrible, and everything in between. This last week, we had a new transfer, which then switched things up even more, making it so I had to say goodbye to some really cool people... which is just the worst thing in the world! Heavenly Father blessed me with the best parents ever who taught me to love with my whole heart, but my heart really doesn’t love change haha!
A while back, when I was going through a little bit of a rough patch, my amazing sister sent me a book to get me through a hard time. I constantly look back at this book and re-read it often! I’ve re-read it this weekend with the changes that came with a new transfer. Although excited to meet new people and serve around new missionaries, I’ve never been one for goodbyes!
The book my sister gave me is called “The Missing Piece Meets the Big O,” written by Shel Silverstein. If you haven’t read this book, you’re about to get a little synopsis, but also, you need to go buy it! The book starts out with a sad "Missing Piece," shaped like a triangle. It’s looking for people (other shapes) that it can fit with to take it along. Although the triangular "Missing Piece" tries many things to attract other shapes, nothing works. It sits, waits, and nothing happens. Until one day, a circle with a missing piece the exact size of the Missing Piece, comes along!!! It’s a perfect fit! They roll along together happily until one day, the Missing Piece starts to grow, making it so that the circle can’t roll smoothly anymore. The circle rolls on, leaving the Missing Piece alone once again.
Well, that would be a pretty darn terrible ending, wouldn’t it?! Luckily, it's not! One day, as the Missing Piece is just sitting right where it’s at, a perfect circle ("the Big O") rolls by. This circle has no missing pieces and the Missing Piece is shocked! It asks how it can become like the Big O. The advice given is simple... roll! “But I have sharp edges,” replies the Missing Piece, “I can’t roll!” The Big O says to give it a try, “Shapes CHANGE," it says, and then rolls off. The Missing Piece is alone again :/ Well, the Missing Piece tries and, after mustering all its strength and effort, eventually flops over; it then does it again and again. Eventually, the corners smooth, flopping goes to bumping, and bumping changes to bouncing, and bouncing becomes rolling.
I LOVE this story so much! It applies to each and every one of us in different ways and at different times in our lives! You see, this poor Missing Piece had quite the change to make. It had to go from being a pointy sharp-edged triangle to a smooth round shape. The only way for that to happen would be extreme effort, concentration, and even pain. In my life, I have definitely been the missing piece, looking for someone or something to come and help take me along. There have been times in my life where I have found that match and it helps get me to new places and for that I’m very grateful! I would hope that in my life, I’ve also been able to help out other people when they felt they were missing something. But most importantly, and what I’m trying to work on now, is becoming my own Big O.
Although change is terrible, I’ve been grateful for the Lord’s guidance and correction constantly helping me. And although changes often feel like I’m flopping over all awkward and landing with a big thud! I know that I will eventually be more smoothed out because of it!
I’m grateful for change, I hate it, but I’m grateful for it. I’m grateful for the people I have met in the mission that have helped me realize my worth, and have helped me as I’ve awkwardly flopped over and tried to change. I’m grateful for their help and guidance... for picking me up when I really needed it. They probably don't realize the exact impact they had on me, but I am so grateful for them!
I’m so grateful for my amazing family. They have been with me through all my changes, both the good and the bad! They have helped me have courage and strength through the difficult times, and have helped me stay humble with happy changes that come my way. I have the best family ever and they are a constant example to me!
Lastly, I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and my Big Brother Jesus Christ. I know that it is through Jesus Christ and His atonement that I’m able to change and be perfected IN Him! I’m grateful God has allowed me to have all the changes I’ve had. I know each one of them has, or will, shape me to be the exact person He needs.
I hope you all know that Heavenly Father loves you so much. If it feels like He’s breaking off your sharp edges and making you flop over, just know that it’s because He loves you! He wants you to be your own Big O! I am grateful for change, I’m grateful for the changes I’ve seen in myself and for those I’ve been able to see in others throughout my mission.
The church is true! God is good! And we’re going to lean on the Savior's Atonement and keep flopping around in this life. That is, until we are in his presence and we will have the opportunity to then be perfect:) Love you all so much! Have an amazing week!
Elder Steadman
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| Transfer goodbyes |
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| Elder Christensen's heading home! |
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| Dinner with Helen & Clark |
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| P-day at the barber shop :) |
Here's a little video of the Shel Silverstein story...
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