Hey ya'll!
I am not feeling super well today,
so this email might be on the shorter side. I have been a little sick all
week, as has most of the mission recently -- but we are trucking through
it!
I had my first week where I didn’t
receive any mail at all! That was a small challenge, but hey! Its
okay! I know that I am supposed to be here, and really.... I wont always
be able to have other people to comfort me! As long as I have my Heavenly
Father, I am figuring out that I really am A-Oh-Kay!
So I have some news.... Ken is
getting baptized next Saturday! No, he does not count as my baptism
technically, but who cares! It is a miracle! We are so excited...
and he has requested that his 5 missionaries sing at the
baptism :).
Also, our VC investigator, Brittany, was baptized on Saturday, and our other VC
investigator, Hope, is getting baptized and married next week! ( I wish I could
attend it!) Our stake has a total of 8 convert baptisms happening next Saturday!
It is a record for the stake actually, crazy huh?
It was in the 100's most of the
week, but then the past few days it has suddenly stayed in the 80's and
90's! I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! It
was amazing to actually feel a little chilly outside this morning!!! What is
the weather like there in NC right now?
So the past few days I have felt
like I really need to study the Saviors words and his ministry. I started
by reading in John during our sacrament meetings yesterday. Because I was
actually reading the words of the Savior during sacrament, I had the most
amazing experience! I felt so close to my Savior and I received insight
into his words that I had never had before. I encourage each of you to
study the Words of the Savior, in particular, John 13-18, and the Last supper
found in Luke. The sacrament is such an amazing opportunity we have to
feel renewed and draw closer to our savior. As we invite people to come
to church, in reality we are inviting them to partake of the sacred ordinance,
the Sacrament. There is a great video that can be found on the LDS Gospel
Library or else on LDS.org located in the Bible Videos section. It is
titled "the Last Supper". I invite all of you to watch that
short video this coming week! As you then look back and remember that
video this next Sunday, I know that you will feel an added spirituality that
you have probably not felt in quite some time as you partake of that sacred
ordinance!
I wanted to share some thoughts
that I was having during sacrament meeting yesterday with you as well. I
have been thinking of Jesus Christ a lot lately. I have been
contemplating my relationship with him verses my relationship with my Heavenly
Father as well a lot. These are some things that I have come up with:
Becca Soapbox: We have a DUTY
and a calling to show and represent the Love that Christ would show if he was
here. As we decide how to react to anyone; whether they are sinning,
wronging you, acting out, etc, we know the one thing we need to do -- look to
our Savior! He commands us to "Love one another, even AS I have
loved you". I am emphasizing the AS because I have misunderstood
this statement in the past. I thought he was just telling us to love
others... but in fact he is showing us HOW to show and express that love for
others! He shows us how he is commanding us to love thoughout his life
and ministry! For more insight into this concept, read John 13-16!
As we love as and how Christ loves us, we will come to know our savior so much
better, and others will feel God's love!
WE also must be careful not to
define ourselves so as to retard our growth. Satan would have us define
ourselves by our sins and faults. When we define ourselves, we often
have the tendency to define ourselves based on our weaknesses and shortcomings
and temptations. We have a duty to always strive to see people through
God's eyes. Natures can be changed, as can temptations be overcome.
God has provided a way for EVERYONE to be able to live his commandments, though
some are very hard to live at times. God and his commandments are
unchanging. WE need to help people see their first and real identity is
as a son or daughter of God with a divine potential of perfection! Even
defining ourselves first as an athlete could be a danger -- for that will
change! But what will never change is the fact that you are a son or
daughter of God. We can only attain perfection and overcome the
temptations that we sometimes define ourselves by as we USE the atonement each
day!
Last soapbox point: Jesus'
teachings are not meant to be theoretical, they are meant to be acted
upon! Hence when he says, " Go and do thou likewise".
Study the life, words, and actions of Jesus Christ and follow him!
I am so sorry for the choppy and
soapboxy email today! I am out of time!
How is everyone doing?! I
will write notes today in reply to the emails I received since I am out of time
for emails! I love you all! Check your mailboxes this week!
I love you all and miss you!!!
Dad, mom and hannah -- Ill reply
via mail. Mwah!
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