Nov. 19, 2011
Well clearly it has been a LONG time since I've written! But hey that just means I'm staying busy right? Can I just say how much I LOVE missionary work! Seriously there is NOTHING else that can bring SO much joy more than helping someone come closer to Christ. We recently were able to teach a young girl our age about Christs restored gospel. She is incredible and didn't even need us to help prepare her for her baptism! I'm in awe at how many people who are out there that truly are ready for the gospel, they just don't know where to look. (D&C 123:12)
To be honest I'm sad that my mission is coming to an end. It seems like EVERYONE around me is counting down the days for when I go home. I know they're just doing it in fun, but a HUGE part of my heart will be left here in New York, and with the people I was able to teach.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christs TRUE church on the earth today and I am so grateful for the 18 months I've had to help bring God's children to the "fold".
Sept. 19, 2011
I often think about how I wish I could experience a great miracle while here on my mission. Why do I always hear these cool stories of people being converted or lives changing but I'm never the one that gets to tell the story? I read in Moroni this morning chapter 7:32-48 and I realized that in order to have a miracle I need to have faith. This whole time I've said to myself that yes my faith is strong enough. But I haven't acted upon that. I've just been expecting to experience a miracle without doing anything. Faith is an action. You can believe something may happen but if you have the FAITH you will do your part and ACT in all ways that you can to allow the miracle to be possible. So here I am, rededicating myself to have FAITH! Miracles are waiting to happen and I want to help them occur.
Aug. 27, 2011
I keep getting this thought that I need to pray more earnestly. But how? I want to have a stronger relationship with my Father in Heaven but it seems like everytime I make the effort to kneel down and pray I get distracted or impatient and decide to hurry up my prayer and get on with my day. I think of the scripture in Alma 32:26
and how I have the desire...but that might be as good as it gets. Well I think I've had that desire too long and now it's time to act. My life for 18 months is not just going to end in December. I'll have to keep enduring, I'll have to keep bringing myself closer to Christ. And if I don't figure out how to do it now then it'll be harder to do it when I'm home.
I was reading this morning a training that we had back in May and I was able to find some good tips for praying. One thing I found was to pray and ask specific questions so that I can get specific answers. I've tried that on and off throughout my mission and I can testify that it does work. Now I just need to do it.
So this is me committing myself to pray. And not just pray...but really have a conversation with God and to make time for Him. I'll let you know how it goes.
Aug.17, 2011
On my mind today I can't stop thinking about how to be a better teacher. The best teachers are also the best learners. If I were to pass on one piece of advice what would it be? I'll have to think some more one that.
