Another BUSY week. Soda Springs has been dumped on by snow. About a foot in the last week or so. I've learned to drive in it for sure (basically just drifting). I'm so jealous you got to see Dear Evan Hansen! I listened to the soundtrack a ton before I left.
I cannot believe it's already DECEMBER. It boggles my mind that it's almost 2019 as well. I've been a missionary for a whole calendar year and it's made me reflect a lot on what I've learned. Reading Tate's last email makes me feel weird too! I've been studying a lot about how the Book of Mormon can help us come closer to Christ. I've studied Alma 36 and MAN. Following the teachings that Christ himself presented JUST MAKES SENSE. A few of the verses that stand out to me are verse 3 and 27,
" And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth,and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day...
"And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me."
Recently I've been struggling a bit with some things, nothing serious so don't worry haha. Just the rigors of missionary work, that's all. One thing I've learned just very recently is how much the Lord is loving rather than judgmental. He cares far more for your successes than your failures, your joy than your sadness, your peace than your anxieties, your triumphs than your afflictions, your accomplishments than your mess-ups. Sometimes we think that everything we go through, good or bad, needs to last a little longer then we'll see the lateral of it. Not always! I firmly believe that God cares less about time as He does timing. In 1 Nephi Chapter 20 it says, "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." The "furnace of affliction" sometimes feels like it's hotter than we can handle. But we have to remember God knows better than we do. He knows exactly what will help us better than what we think will help us. So trust Him! I've learned that the hard way. Trust God, just like what Alma said above, and we will be delivered. Not maybe. We will.
I can testify with all my heart that this is true. I feel SO strongly to say to whoever reads this. Hold on. Hold on with all you have, the flame of your faith may be flickering, but hold on. I testify as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ himself, and in His name, that your afflictions will come to an end. I promise that. As Elder Holland said, "Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."
- all our eggs cartons from the past few months
- it's snowing help
- elder cook and i (still in the same district 9 months later)
- exchanges with the district leader in Wyoming!!!
- I FOUND BLITZ 2000 AND I WANTED TO PLAY SO BAD. Oh the memories.
- anotha selfie we took after doing some daily contact with our investigators
- window selfie before we braved the snow
- worldwide day of service on Saturday! We shoveled about half a dozen driveways.
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