Thanks
for all your love and thoughts this week. I've definately felt my
savior closer to me these past days because even thought I'm used to
being a missionary and I love doing it, there are still trials and days
that just don't go as well as planned. But through it all I've grown do
know that my Father in Heaven loves me and that I can make decisions
that will make me happy in this life no matter what is going on around
me. Feel free to send me as many letters as you want, I'm not
complaining. It was funny to only see a couple this week as a response
to what happened last week! As I think of it though I'm not really that
far from talking to everyone of you so just hang tight. I also have to
thank mom for making even more trunky than usually by painting me a nice
picture of the canyons and the leaves in the fall. Its been about two
years since I've seen a red or orange leaf so that's something I'd like
to get back to.
I'm
really amazed at just how much my view of the world and my view of
people's decisions have changed on the mission. I have been blessed with
a gift, probably one of my only gifts, of knowing why it's important to
be obedient. It just makes sense to me, I really don't ask a lot of
questions when it comes to commandments and rules and things like that. I
also know that there is really no excuse to be disobedient then think
that God will just forgive us becuase we had the "intention" to be a
good person but for some excuse or another we weren't. I tell you all
these things becuase we had the chance to visit a few more less active
members and investigators who are really good people but who don't seem
to aknowledge the importance of being obedient. We visited a man who got
baptized more than 15 years ago and who really enjoyed listening to the
missionaries and even gave them room and board. Little by little he
fell away from the church. His excuse was that he had to work to support
his family. He said that it wasn't possible to go to church on Sundays
because if he did his kids would starve. I understood his concern but
after establishing his faith in Jesus Christ we taught him what Jesus
says to the Nephites in the Americas. Its when he reteaches the Sermon
on the Mount and says that we shouldn't worry about what we are going to
eat or drink or what we're going to wear, God will provide. I felt the
spirit and knew it was true when we taught him that principle. But after
I read the scripture he tells me, "Come on Elder, that was then, this
is now. Unfortunately I have to live in the REAL world. Get serious." I
felt really sad for him in that moment becuase he is missing out on so
many blessings. Then I thought, you know what, THIS IS the REAL world.
If we live by the teachings of our Savior, he really will bless us.
I
think that we are sometimes the same as this good man who has real
concerns about providing for his family. Do we REALLY believe in the
scriptures? Do we apply them to ourselves? Or do we just think they are
pretty stories? I know that if we trust in the scriptures and bind the
Lord to His promises, we will never go hungry or fail in this life. I
invite you all to ponder about your level of obedience and think about
if you are putting up excuses to not be obedient. If there is something
that impedes you to keep a commandment, really consider adapting your
life so that you can keep that commandment.
This
week was also really cool because we've seen some really good progress
from some investigators. I'm amazed at how perfect the organization of
the church is. Ward council can bless so many peoples' lives we just
have to use it correctly. We are going to help a few couples get married
in the next couple of weeks becuase there is going to be a free
marriage soon! I'm excited for all the happy things that are going to go
down after I leave, that makes me not want to leave! I hope you're all
good and happy, I love you all!! Till next week!
Love,
Elder Child
P.S. October kills me because my team is going to REPEAT that playoff run of theirs!!! Just watch! (please tape the games)
No comments:
Post a Comment