Dad - Thoughts and Developing Yourself

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Paul Gibbons <gibbons.paul@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Dec 13, 2015 at 5:29 PM
Subject: Re: Week 2!
To: Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net>

Caleb:

Can you believe the MTC is done?  It's a great place and it sounds like you've made the most of it.  I'd encourage you to take a minute and reflect on the things that you've learned.  As a missionary you're busy and going from morning to evening and there's always something more to do.  But, if you make priority time to "be still" and think about what's happening to you, the experiences that you are having will become more meaningful than they already are.  You will also be able to capitalize more fully on what you're being taught.

You're about to be introduced to mission life and all that it means.  Consider that you are coming from the MTC full of enthusiasm and excitement.  I'm not sure if they still call new missionaries greenies but they did on my mission.  Some missionaries may use it as a derogatory comment about a missionary that is super enthusiastic.  I don't know that you'll experience the same thing once you have boots on the ground in Virginia.  Just remember that there is nothing wrong with hope, enthusiasm, and being positive about life.  In fact, those are Godlike attributes and worth developing.

Remember that you can always control your thoughts and that actions are a direct outcome of the thoughts you harbor.  I find that my life's challenge is to replace unproductive thoughts with productive thoughts.  It's a lifelong pursuit to become someone who is focused and maintains godlike and uplifting thoughts.  My guess is that you will be challenged and part of your development toward manhood will be responding to the challenges you will face through proper thoughts.  The power of focused thought is wonderful.  Thinking and feeling are great gifts given to us as children of God.

Finally, consider taking time to develop yourself as an articulate verbal communicator.  Investigators will appreciate your ability to clearly communicate your thoughts and feelings.  Those who have different opinions will respect your view as you are able to express yourself.  I think you already have a great head start in this regard; just stay focused and continue to improve.

Anyway those are my thoughts this week.  Safe travels... I love you,

Dad

I'm attaching pictures of my bike ride yesterday in Willard.  Enjoy.

On Fri, Dec 11, 2015 at 7:17 PM, Paul Gibbons <gibbons.paul@gmail.com> wrote:

Caleb:

Your pictures and emails are awesome. I added you as an author on your blog.  I don't know if you can do it but if you can, you should log in and add captions to the pictures (mainly names).  This will do more to add to your future enjoyment of the blog.

I hope I'm not being to overbearing with this but it's pretty easy and something that others in my family want to read.  If you approve you can point your friends in that direction also.

Anyway, I'll write more on Sunday.  I love you and am super-proud of you.

Dad

On Fri, Dec 11, 2015 at 10:23 AM, Caleb Gibbons <cgibbons@myldsmail.net> wrote:

There is a strange phenomenon that happens at the MTC. The days are long, but the weeks are short. I cannot believe I'm leaving the MTC on monday! Anyways, I thought I'd send you a synopsis of my very very short week here:

Sunday was the best. We went to sacrament and priesthood, then we were able to go on a temple walk. We took our zone just around the temple and took pictures. I feel like we really bonded as a zone.

Monday and Tuesday were essentially the same. We woke up around 6:30 and went to breakfast around 7. Class for 3 hours then lunch. Then more class and then dinner. Then more class and then we got a chance to do some zone teaching. Me and Elder Wamsley taught the zone how to think like a missionary. I think that this teaching moment for us really built us as Zone leaders. We taught about how to teach with the spirit and how to recognize the spirits promptings. 

Wednesday was soo cool because I got to re-live my first day at the MTC by showing the new missionaries around. We were able to learn more about the missionaries and really made them feel welcome. All I tried to do was just share the love I felt when I was a freshie at the MTC. We have amazing people in our zone including some deaf elders. Elder Cross is a recent convert who dropped his entire life to come and serve a mission. He's 24. Elder Blazard was born with deafness in one ear and the other ear only partially working with progressing deafness.. He can read lips and is an amazing person. And Elder Match was born in the church but his family fell away when we was young. However he was taught by the missionaries and became baptized when he was 12. He can speak 2 languages in sign and is a super funny dude! They are teaching us sign language and we love them so much. Our testimonies have strengthened dramatically because of running into them. They will be great missionaries

Thursday we were able to do in field orientation. We learn about transitioning to missionary life. How to contact more people and how to set goals and achieve them. We also learned that expectations = results. And we also learned how to interact with the ward members and how to get along with our ward. In the end I felt like it was a great way to learn how to be a missionary. I learned so much in that day than I ever would in a classroom. 

And that brings us to today... I am really looking forward to today because we are going to the temple! Our entire zone goes today at 2:15. 

So next week! I leave for the airport at 3:30 and our flight leaves for Virginia at 7, with a connecting flight to Atlanta to drop some of the sisters off. I will be able to call you at the airport before I leave between 5:30 and 6:30. Its kind of early but its the only time that I can. Then when I get into Virginia I will be able to call again and let you know everything is good. I miss my little sisters! You guys are the best and I'm sad I won't be there for the next two years to play with you guys. And I miss Jacob and Adam. You guys were awesome and I hope all is well with you two. And Sydney! Thanks for your support on your door. Pretty cool how they're all hand made! And Dad and Mom! I miss our personal interviews.. I didn't think I would miss those but I really do. 

 Thank you for your prayers and hopefully I'll be able to write again soon!