So I did receive my package and boy was it a treat! I appreciate it for sure. Here's a funny story. Back when Elder Bartlett first came out his mother sent him some of those dried mangoes for his birthday. They were a hit and the Spanish Elders almost killed us for them. When I opened my package (luckily we were at lunch when it arrived, I don't trust this AJ place) it was like a pack of ravenous wolverines was unleashed. We love those mangoes, and needless to say they are already gone....
Jayce is so cute, it's been nice hearing from Adam lately! He sent me a picture of their Beta Fish, Sam. I can't believe he's talking so much now! (By he I'm referring to Jayce and not the Beta Fish named Sam..... I hope that was apparent.) How's Jen doing is she still working at Scheels?? I heard from Elyse and Dal today. He's the ward mission leader! He's going to do awesome at that.
This week was pretty great. We got back up to teaching 20 lessons which was awesome. The members have been really great at helping us out and getting to know our investigators. We have a lot of people to teach but at times it's hard to focus on each of them individually. Sometimes I wish we could just focus on one at a time but hey, we've been called to the work and the Lord always provides a way!
I just want a more effective way to memorize some scriptures. That's been one of my big focuses the last couple months is using the scriptures in our lessons and I've seen a huge difference when we teach through the scriptures! I know that they speak in a way far stronger than I can, and being able to expand on them is such a blessing. It's amazing how many things each scripture can resolve.
I love in 3 Nephi chapter 23 when Jesus Christ calls Nephi to bring the record which has been kept forward. At first when I read it I thought about how intimidating that would have to be for Nephi, here's the Savior of the world proof reading the record which they have been commanded to keep. It really goes to show how important this record was. The Savior found something that wasn't perfect and they were able to fix it. Everything in the Book of Mormon is for us, today. How amazing!!!
I learned so much this week and I'm so grateful for the ways that Heavenly Father prepares us for His work. We have experiences every day that prepare us for eternity. I want to tell you about Herman who showed me that this week. He was a referral from the American Sign Language Missionaries. His wife passed away from cancer this past Christmas Eve and it has been really tough on him. Since we contacted him on Thursday night we have stopped by every night and talked with him. He has the most incredible stories in the world, he's still searching but everything he says testifies that God has prepared him. When I talked to him Saturday night he was in a rough spot, really depressed. It broke my heart when I asked him if he believed there was peace out there for him and he said no. It's interesting because Herman knows that he will be with his wife again, but he just wants to get there. He doesn't see his purpose to live anymore. He used to use the phrase (I really like it) "Live life living." But now he doesn't want to live at all. He often says "my wife was my life", it's amazing how much he loved her. It really is amazing.
That following day he came to church and afterwards he went on a hike. He told me that as he was walking a subtle thought entered his mind. "Maybe there is peace after all." That wasn't him that was the Spirit, and I told him to grasp to that and we can help him reach it. It's only been a few days but I can already see him changing. We are going to teach him the first lesson tomorrow and I can't wait, I know that the restored gospel will give him a reason to live. I'll keep you posted on him!
I love this gospel and the peace it brings. I know that Heavenly Father truly does want us to be happy. Yes, this is a time to prepare to meet Him. Yes, we will face trials to achieve that. But I do not believe that we ever have to be sad. Sure we will be, but God wants us to be happy and I know that.
Dad, hope your knee is healing well. I keep you in my prayers always. Love ya!
I love you lots! Have a good week and remember to "live life living."
Love, Elder Alexander
MissionConference
My old Ward Mission Leader, Bro. Olson, got me some scripture cases form El Salvador!! They're sweet. Here's the Book of Mormon one..
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And the Bible
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