12 Aug 2013

I cant believe Valerie and Preston have already been married a year! That makes me feel super old in the mission because that seems like such a long time ago!! I cant believe Daniel goes home tomorrow! The time is flying way too fast. Before you know it, I'll be home too. Blows my mind.…..

I have grown to have a deep love and appreciation for the members of the church that are truly trying to follow the Savior and do the right things. Its not easy….. I'm appreciative that (they are) working to help (their children) grow up in the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

This week was really good and we've been working hard but still have a lot more to do. Next week is the transfer but I think that my companion and I will be staying. I'll let you know what happens next week. So I read a talk this week that refered to a talk by President Hinckley. It was one of the last talks he gave before he died. It was in the woman's session of General Conference in October of 2006. I loved this story so much and I know that you will also. Please use 19 minutes of your day to watch and ponder about the message of this talk. I know the Spirit will teach you and guide you to help someone through its message. I love you and trust that Heavenly Father will guide you to bless hundreds of other lives. You've already done an incredible miracle in teaching me and helping me to become who I am today. The Lord will bless you for the sacrifices that you make. The story of a mother with 7 children in this story inspired me and touched my heart. I know it will as well with yours. I'm always so happy to hear about your success with spreading the gospel and talking with our friends and family. Search for more opportunities! Theres always more for us to do! I've learned this week about 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Its a great chapter but especially the beginning. I could be rich, successful and with a big family and great job. I could be healthy and happy and a good guy. I could have tons of friends and be famous. I could visit every corner of the earth and speak 30 languages. I could do all this but if I dont have charity and pure love for others, my other successes are nothing. The Lord can do anything because He gives everything He has for us. The happiest day of your life is the day you get home exhausted and the Spirit whispers that you did your best and gave your all. I also studied and learned a little about Enos. I've read, studied, pondered and prayed about this one chapter so many times. I learn more each time. He says in verse 11 that after these experiences his faith became "unshaken in the Lord". But why? Enos had faith like unto the faith of the Brother of Jared. His unshaken faith was accompanied by action. He prayed with "many strugglings" and he "wrestled before God" and "cried unto the Lord in mighty prayer and supplication for [his] soul" all day and all night. The Lord granted unto him his desires because of his faith (v12). There is so much to learn here. The last thing I would like to share with you is something I learned from Pres. Lima and the Spirit. He taught me about Peter when he walked on the water. Matthew 14: 24-31. I think thats the right scripture. Peter WALKED ON WATER because of his faith. He did it. He actually walked because of His faith because he was walking towards Christ. Think about where he was going. He was walking towards Christ to meet Him out on the water. But what happened? He fell. But why did he fall? He took a couple steps and then he looked away from Christ. He saw the waves and the tempests and the rain. He was scared and fell. How often does this happen in our lives. Everyone has problems. Members and non-members and less actives and prophets and missionaries and everyone! We all have waves and tempests and rain and dangers in our lives but we can walk on water when we look past these problems and see our goal. Who are we walking towards? Jesus Christ. The Author of our Salvation. Our Redeemer. We can walk on water and use our faith to do miracles! Just dont lose focus. Dont take your eye off of Christ. Just keep walking and you can do it. I know that miracles can happen and do happen in our lives. God loves each of us. He doesnt make miracles happen just with some of His children. God loves you! Why would He hold back your blessings? I know He wouldnt and doesnt when we do what He asks us to do. I love my Heavenly Father. I am so imperfect and weak. I am sinful and prideful and forgetful of God's eternal love and mercy. But I know that I can repent and become clean. Think of the inspired words of the primary song, "When I Am Baptized"
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/when-i-am-baptized?lang=eng 

this next link is to the story that was referenced above:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/in-the-arms-of-his-love?lang=eng