"Shotgun Training" and Giving Up Sugar

March 28, 2011


Dear Family and Friends,

I'm getting transferred!!! I'm going back to OKC 1st ward that I was in before I came up to Woodward. And I'm shotgunning the area and training a new greenie missionary!!! (Edit from Mom: I think “Shotgunning” refers to transferring to an area where both of the prior missionaries have moved out, so you don’t have anyone to orient you to the current state of the missionary work there.) The sisters that were there before weren't disobedient or anything like that, but one has finished her mission and the other was a Spanish-speaking sister that was there for a transfer but she is going back Spanish so there are an even number of Spanish sisters. So I am "shotgun training"!!!!! And guess what, my companion Sister Grant is also training a new sister missionary!!! We are so excited! We were MTC companions and now we're both co-senior companions out here, and next transfer we'll both be training!

Recently I've been studying the Word of Wisdom in detail and thinking about how I can live it more fully. I decided to give up sugar to help someone to quit smoking because I felt like I had cravings for sugar and some of the same mindset that this person had about smoking. As a missionary one of the pamphlets we hand out is about the Word of Wisdom and it promises a lot of blessings that I wouldn't normally associate with the Word of Wisdom. Some of them included increased confidence in the future and in myself, more self-control, and more ability to feel and recognize the Spirit.

In the last week as I have lived the Word of Wisdom more fully I have seen those blessings in my life. I feel like I am better able to focus on the Spirit when my body isn't constantly craving a sugary snack. I don't want to be addicted to food. And I have also gained a renewed testimony of prayer. I have asked specifically for Heavenly Father to help me not to crave these foods and I haven't. I know that repentance/change is a process, and something we can't do on our own. I have seen my prayers answered in a very tangible way. I am so grateful for the blessings the Lord gives us.

Love,

Sister Lila Jenson