Hi
family!
It
was so much fun to see you on Christmas. It looks like you are all happy and
enjoying yourselves back on the mother ship. I am very happy where I am at.
There are a lot of fun things happening in the mission right now and I am very
happy to be part of it. This past week was a little hectic due to the Christmas
festivities happening all around. It was a fun week though. The big thing that
we are focusing on in our area is finding more people to teach. Finding has
always been something that hasn't been that hard to me throughout my mission,
but it’s a little bit more tricky here in Almaden. I am sure we will find more
people though. It’s only up from here!
Spiritual:
I have the chance and wonderful opportunity to live with three other terrific
missionaries in my apartment. One of them is younger, about 6 months out and
the others have been out about the same time as I have. It’s very interesting
to me to see this younger missionary go through some of the same struggles as I
went through at the first part of my mission. It was an even better feeling to
realize that Heavenly Father had prepared me to be able to help out in these
situations. It was really rewarding to recognize the hand of Heavenly Father in
placing us together. Missionaries and all people who are trying to follow God
go through cycles in their desire to worship and come closer to Deity.
Sometimes missionaries will become overly energetic in the service and work
hard while not necessarily working smart. When that happens saints tend to
get a little frustrated and focus in on some of the smaller points of the
gospel and miss the mark at little bit. They become confused and feel like they
have these confusing problems that are seemingly too impossible to answer. The
answer to this situation is simple. It focuses on some of the more pure
principles of the gospel. It’s so important to realize that Heavenly Father
works in small and simple things. He asks us to do small simple acts of
obedience and line upon line he builds our faith. This building line upon line
is another term for diligence. When we are diligently obedient we feel the
spirit build within us and we are more able to be guided by it. The other
principal to realize in this circumstance is that Heavenly Father works in
small and simple things. The adversary works in ways that are confusing and
seem bigger than anything else. If you feel confused or like there is some
uncontrollable problem surrounding you, remember to be diligently obedient and
remember that God provides peace and not confusion. I am so grateful for a
Savior that made this life possible and that provides that pristine peace into
our lives. I know that His Atonement is real and has the power to change our
desires and our hearts. It is of him that I bear testimony. In the name of
Jesus Christ. Amen.
Funny:
This past week we were driving to an appointment and there was a car right in
front of us that was going super slow. There was a red light ahead of us so I
switched into the other lane and we pulled up next to them. I looked over and
by golly they were breaking rule number one of driving. No canoodling in the
car. It was definitely a horrific event for us to behold. I looked
straight at Elder Fisher and yelled! Look at my eyes! Don't
look! Don't you do it! We were scarred missionaries. So
remember, don't break rule number one of driving. Kissing and Cars don't
mix!
Where
I am at: This week we get to work in our area all week long! Yay! I am so
excited! I love doing missionary work! I feel comfortable now where I am at. I
am excited for what this week will bring. The Lord is in charge of this work
and it is so nice to know that all I have to be is a tool in his hand. It’s so
AWESOME!! Christmas time and the Christmas season is an incredible time of
year. It was so special to be in the Christmas devotional for the mission and
just have tears stream down my face. I wasn't sure if it was from the lack of
protein, lack of sleep or the spirit that was causing this but it felt so
incredible. Boom. I love this gospel. I love Jesus Christ. I love this, my
mission! I love you all!