Tuesday, July 22, 2014

July 21, 2014

It's been a very emotional week.  Many members of our branch are having terrible problems.  One brother is homeless after leaving his wife and a difficult situation.  One sister and her family are being evicted from their apartment because they can't pay the rent.  One sister stopped talking to us because we warned her against having a relationship with someone she has only met on Facebook.  One sister is very unhappy because she is not allowed to see her grandchildren and another is suffering from chronic pain.  There are many more sad situations like that.  We try to help by teaching them to apply gospel truths and to learn from opposition and hardships.  It can be very difficult and heart wrenching and we suffer with them. 

During our zone training meeting on Tuesday, Elder Lewis and I gave a fifteen minute presentation on overcoming adversity and discouragement.  We brought a large basket of pretty red and crisp apples and handed them out to everyone (about 25 missionaries).   Elder Lewis then explained how we can count the seeds in an apple, but we can never count how many apples are in a seed.  We shared our own conversion stories and then told the young missionaries that they will never know how many seeds they sow every day while talking to people and teaching the Gospel.  They might feel rejected and discouraged at times, but God is in control, and those who are searching for the truth will find it because of their service. 


President McConkie, (yes, nephew) 2nd counselor in the mission presidency, was also there and gave a very powerful message about representing Christ.  We just love him.

Elder Lewis is studying the Old Testament every day as he prepares for the Gospel Doctrine class on Sundays.  I'm almost finished with the New Testament again and I just love it.  We have both recently again started reading the Book of Mormon and are almost through 1st Nephi.  No matter how many times I read it, I am always amazed at how much I love that book and how much strength and power is contained in it's pages.  

We have been watching the video "Journey of Faith"  which retraces the steps of Lehi and his family.  To see the places where they probably walked is so amazing, and it makes everything come alive for us.  At the very beginning, Truman G. Madsen tells us that Joseph Smith said that in the next century, (this century) proof of the Book of Mormon would "come forth in droves."  I really don't need any more proof, I know the Book of Mormon is true, but it will still be interesting to witness. 

Thank you for reading our blog.  We love you and thank you for your interest in our mission.  This is one of the best things we have ever done.  It's not always easy, but then again nothing worth having is easy.  We are grateful for the opportunity to serve, learn and grow.  After all, that is what we came here to earth to do. 

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