Being There for Others

On Thursday we sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" to practice for the fireside. Normally my favorite verse is the third verse, but this time the second verse stood out to me. "He lives to grant me rich supply. He lives to guide me with his eye. He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my soul's complaint. He lives to silence all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears. He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives all blessings to impart." Our choir director told us that sometimes as representatives of Jesus Christ, we do those things for other people. When Laura was practically dying she turned to us and the Lord. We comforted her and listened to her. We spoke the words the Spirit brought to mind and brought her the peace she needed to move forward. As missionaries we are there for investigators, less-active members, active members, and recent converts to the Lord's church when others aren't. I'm learning more and more about the Savior and what He does for us on an individual basis through people. I am so grateful to be His missionary. I know that my Redeemer lives. I know He's there for us. Always. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

He is There for us

This week we got to share a verse of scripture with a sister in the ward who was struggling. "But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." (2 Nephi 1:15) In our times of trial, sometimes it is hard to see how the Lord could help us. Oftentimes the Lord won't take the trial away from us either (oftentimes much to our disappointment too). But he does listen, he can help us, he will comfort us, and he will help us through our afflictions. Much like the people in Mosiah chapter 21, they weren't immediately delivered from bondage, oftentimes we won't be either. The Lord will help us carry our burden, to teach us how to be strong. Then we will know how to help others in similar situations. I've learned a lot so far about letting the Lord carry part of my load. I understand that He needs to be the teacher and not me. I understand that it is His work that I am here to do, and not mine. I have a hard time letting people carry and know about the burdens I carry. He is teaching me more and more that I am not to carry trials alone. I can ask for help from Him. He is there for me. He is there for you! I know this to be true in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

God Answers His Willing Servants

On Thursday we saw a HUGE miracle. We met a member's new neighbor because Elder Mann's pants were eaten by the dryer! We contacted our member, who sews, and she invited us over that night to drop them off and to meet her new neighbors. Long story short, her new neighbors are super prepared and asked us a lot of questions about what we do as missionaries. The member was super excited to work with us to teach her neighbor. Saturday evening my back was in a lot of pain. I've grown up doing yard work, so the service that morning should not have been a problem, but it was a combination of not relying on the Lord as much as I should have and I was sore. So I asked for a blessing. It was exactly what I needed to hear but I was lovingly chastised because I had slacked off on my personal prayers and not going to my leaders for help (but my poor district leader is on a bike! Still repenting). I took what I learned from my blessing and prayed about it with Heavenly Father. I wrote out my concerns and asked Him for help. I received a warm fuzzy feeling for most of my concerns except for who we should focus on in our area, that was a specific answer: our member's friend we just met on Thursday. It was a definitely answer that didn't leave any room for questions. I was shocked. I had never received an answer that specific before, especially not with someone I met once. It was so cool! We plan on meeting with the members this week to talk about how we want to approach their neighbor.

Many times in the scriptures it talks about those with a broken heart are nearer to God and will be healed by Him. I have a true testimony of that. I was in pieces not knowing what to do or what direction to go, especially since I haven't prepared anyone for baptism and they were actually baptized. I wanted a specific answer and I needed it then. The Lord answers those who genuinely seek Him and are willing to act on the answer He gives you, only if you're 100% willing to go and do it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Blessings of Trials

I know that trials are gifts. They are opportunities to grow and to change. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and He only wants the best for me, and you! The Lord will never give us anything we can't handle without His help. The key is Him. If we rely on Him, we can do all things. If we don't rely on Him, we are limited. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Reflections on the past six months

This week I hit my click day and I've been out offially for six months (gasp!). It's flown by so quickly! Days feel like weeks, weeks feel like days, and months feel like minutes. My companion left for the airport this morning and it's caused a lot of reflection. I am so grateful for this time I have this time to dedicate to the Lord. It really is an opportunity to learn how to follow him and how to set myself up for how I want to be when I go home. 

1. Always try and put your companion first. 
2. Discouragement is a temptation. Don't get discouraged.
3. God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but he does expect us to do the very best we can
4. When we strive to be closer to God, he really will show us our weaknesses so that we can work on them and make them into strengths (Ether 12:27)
5. People don't only get one chance. If investigators drop us, that doesn't mean they'll never get baptized or improve their life, it just means they're just not ready.
6. I'm not made for long distance dating and being focused on missionary work.
7. Bible bashing isn't worth my time or the Lord's time. Just testify and walk away.
8. I will never go a week without the sacrament if I can help it. It is too precious and so needed.
9. Don't be negative, that lets Satan in and then your thoughts become hard to control.
10. I'm so done with football in general. People here are OBSESSED. I literally see the number 12 everywhere I go and I actually kind of miss seeing crosses everywhere in the South.
11. Hanging a cross somewhere in your home (and all over churches, schools, daycare, etc.) is officially downright creepy. You're hanging a reminder that Jesus died! Like, dead. So morbid! The fact that he died is important, but it's just as important as the fact that he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and was resurrected. ALL of it is important. 
12. The gospel needs to be known by the heart and not just the mind. When only understood by the mind, you get people like the guy I met on Thursday who believes that Jesus really did come to America and wants the Book of Mormon to be true. BUT he holds too fast to the hearsay he has heard about the church and believes that the Book of Mormon is a "second gospel". Good person, just doesn't have a testimony.
13. Always just testify when I talk to my friends, if they have questions about doctrine, I should let the missionaries help me. My job as a member is be support and testimony, the missionaries teach and baptize.

etc...

But I kind of want to concentrate this little nugget right here: Alma 37:7 "...the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes...", Alma 37:6 "...that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...", Alma 37:41 "...because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works...", 1 Nephi 16:29 "...by small means the Lord can bring about great things..." It really is the little things that matter! When we stop doing the small things like reading the Book of Mormon every single day and praying every day, we become casual in things like going to church and going to the temple. The little things build up and then before you know it you're not coming to church, you're working at another church in the daycare on Sundays, and wondering how you got there.

I know with a surety that the Book of Mormon is true. Real, in-depth study, is how we keep our testimonies alive. If you don't already know if it is true, I invite you to read it and find out for yourself. It will truly change your life as it has mine. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Simplicity of the Gospel

General Conference was so cool yesterday!!!!! Y'all should watch it (and if you've already seen it, watch it again). I love how simple and straight forward it all was. That's my favorite thing about the gospel: it is simple and straightforward. As we follow Jesus Christ we will be blessed in this life and in the next. I know that He lives and loves you. I know that He completed the Atonement for you, individually. I know that everything happens for a reason, even if it doesn't make sense now, I know that God has reasons for everything. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Christ the Redeemer Lives!

"I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, He lives who once was dead! He lives, my ever living head! He lives to bless me with His love! He lives to plead for me above! He lives, my hungry souls to feed! He lives to bless in time of need!" (I Know That My Redeemer Lives). I know Jesus Christ lives to wipe away your tears and heal you from the inside out. As you develop your faith in Him you know and love Him. As your faith grows, your desire to become like Him will also grow. As you exercise repentance and rely on Jesus Christ and the strength and healing He gives, you are able to come closer to Him. Through baptism you are cleansed of your sins. With the guidance of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, you are able to always have heavenly help any time you need it. As you take the sacrament worthily you get the privilege of having your sins washed away and get a fresh start to the week, just like being baptized and confirmed all over again. I know that as we do these things that the Savior and Heavenly Father will be proud of us and will support us in everything we do. I know He is the only way. I know that you can always come back, no matter what you've done. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.