September 9, 2013

Family and Friends!

First off... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!! I cant belive you are 17!!! Life goes so fast!! And before you know it, you will be out of high school and on a mission like me! Its crazy! I hope you have the greatest birthday ever, no one deserves it more than you!!!

 

So this has been an interesting week. Everyday i am reminded of how many people there are in the world and how many people are living without the knowledge and blessings of the gospel. I have developed such a love for people that I didnt even know exisited a month ago. Everyone is so unique and lead different lives, its amazing that our Heavenly Father loves all of them so much. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and knows me personally, which means that God loves every single person, no matter their circumstance. No matter their flaws or struggles, Christ knows them perfectly. And He knows exactly what we are feeling and experiencing... Which is very comforting to me because I can only try to imagine how they feel, but Christ knows. That is why it is so difficult... because Christ has suffered for everyone, and those people that dont except His Atonement think they must suffer alone. But I have a testimony that because Christ suffered, we dont have to suffer alone. That knowledge is such a blessing in my life!

 

Funny event of the week:

Last week we had a lesson with a less active family, La familia Harvey. After our lesson we asked her to introduce us to a neighber that might be interested in learning more. So we knocked and met Alda. She was very friendly and seemed a little interested so we scheduled to come back next tuesday.... Fast forward to the next week, and we walk up to her door. We look in, and see 10-15 people sitting in the family room holding bibles. At that point Hermana Child and I looked at each other and almost turned around to walk away. Alda opened the door and asked us to come in. And we took a seat. A man began to read and preach from the bible saying something like... (from what i understood from his spanish) The bible is the only word of God. The bible is the only thing that we need to study, and if anyone tries to make you believe any different, you cannot believe it because we know that only the bible contains the words of God..." so on and so forth... This went on for about 5-10min until my brave companion raised her hand and said, "have you ever heard about the Book of Mormon?"

It turns out that they belong to a non-denominational religion and were very anti-mormon (which would be an understatement). We tried to explain our purpose and how the Book of Mormon helps us understand the Bible and how we have a prophet today, etc. And after about an hour and a half (of course, we couldnt leave until we had born our testimonies and left an invitation) we stood up, left a Book of Mormon on the table, shook all 15 hands, and walked out the door. We made it about 2 steps and couldnt hold our laughter in any longer. A very memerable experience to say the least.

 

This thursday we had a zone conference. It lasted from 7am to about 5. It was one of the greatest meetings I have ever been to. President Fenn is such a powerful speaker and so strong in the Gospel. He truely is a man called of God. He taught us about the Book of Mormon and Jospeh Smith. We spoke alot about holding on and pressing forward in times of trial.

"The problem is, we want to see the end from the beginning... But we must learn to walk to the very end of the light and then a few steps into the darkness." We know in Ether 12:6 it instructs, dispute not because you see not, because we cant receive the witness until after the trial of your faith... If we knew the result from the beginning then their would be no need for faith. And all men must walk by faith in this life. We must continue in faith, to press forward, because the times when we are closest to giving up are the times God can mold us into what we are to become.

We must always remember, it is not for us to say when the trial of faith is over. It is only after the trial that the miracle will come. So carry on and press forward with a perfect brightness of hope with trust in Gods promise - becasue we know after the trial comes the miracle.

 

I love you all so much!! Thank you for all you do and all your prayers! Thanks for you encouraging words and support! You are my motivation everyday to keep pushing forward!

Let me know if I can do anything for you!

 

Love hermana johnson