We had interviews with President Smith this week, and I
want to start off today's update with a story he told me that I have
modified just a little. :)
You look down, and miraculously there is an ice cold glass of fresh water. Oh, how badly you want a drink! You look at it. You look at it, but you continue walking, leaving the water behind.
How often do we
trek through the desert of life feeling hopeless, unforgivable, pained
and confused? Worn down with the stresses of our day to day life? How
often do we pass by the gift and the power of the Atonement, knowing
that at any moment we can apply it to our life and experience the peace
and joy we've so long been searching for?
The
Atonement is infinite (2 Nephi 9:7). In Alma 34:9 we read that "it is
expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great
plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all
mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are
fallen and are lost..."
Stop perishing in the desert of life. Take a drink of the water you have longed for, and be made whole. (Matthew 9:21-22)
In President Uctdorf's talk, Living the Gospel Joyful he says, "Part
of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His
blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to
us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has
set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality,
Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear,
doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.His commandments are the loving instructions and the divine help for us to close the umbrella so we can receive the shower of heavenly blessings...The Creator of the seas, sands, and endless stars is reaching out to you
this very day! He is offering the grand recipe for happiness, peace,
and eternal life!"
Put down your umbrella, pick up
that glass of water, and let the blessings of the Atonement and the
gospel rain upon you and quench your spiritual thirst!
This
week I definitely experienced this. As missionaries, it's extremely
visible the effort the adversary is putting in to destroy the gospel,
happiness, and love. He works on everyone. The strongest members in the
gospel, those who have yet to hear the gospel, and everyone in between.
Sister Rohwer and I have dealt with this the last week as we've seen the
armies of Satan work on our investigators, those we meet on the
streets, families in our ward, and our companionship. But I know and can
testify that as we turn to the Savior, we can be protected,
strengthened, and confident.
Jazzanae's baptism has
been postponed. We don't have a specific date for her right now, but
it'll happen in the Lord's time! She is a very strong, beautiful little
girl. We have every bit of faith that she will continue to progress to
the waters of baptism.
Walt is doing AWESOME. He's
had some pretty rough bumps come into his path, but he is strong, and he
knows what his goal is and where he's going. His testimony of the
Atonement is strong and powerful. He's working on the Word of Wisdom
still, but has come so so far! Both Sister Rohwer and I are SO
overwhelmed with gratitude for having the opportunity to work with him
and his girlfriend, Jamie! I think we learn more from them.
Diane
is doing great as well. We weren't able to see her this week, but she
loves the Restoration, and we are praying that she reads the Book of
Mormon!
We have a few new investigators this week! Crystal, Patty and Will.
Crystal is a cute mom of 3 adorable kids and is very interested! We are hoping to be able to start teaching her family!
Patty is a Family History investigator. She's... stubborn, but LOVES Family History.
Will
is the son of one of our ward members. We aren't sure his interest
level right now, but are hoping to help him find his place in life! He
is 17 and super cool.
Also, hurricane season is a
brewin! Well, almost. Technically there's 40 somethin days until
hurricane season hits, but BOY! The weather has been nasty! We were
under tornado watches and warnings yesterday, and we woke up to some
pretty strong winds and rains this morning! A couple nights ago we had a
thunderstorm (Um, thunder in the south is TERRIFYING. I may or may not
have unintentionally screamed a couple times at this morning's thunder
and jumped half a mile out of my chair. I'm surprised my head didn't get
stuck in the ceiling from jumping so high...) but anyway, the
thunderstorm the other night was so bad that during one thunder boom, it
set off ALL of the car alarms outside. Crazy, right?!
We
also got stuck in a DOWNPOUR. It was the funniest/ funnest thing I have
ever experienced. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard. And I also
was an idiot and accidentally LOST OUR HOUSE KEYS. So... we had to go
searching through our parking lot. But, the church is true and we found
them. :)
Gotta keep those umbrella's down to get the blessings! ;)
Hope ya'll had a good week!!
LOVE YOU!
No comments :
Post a Comment