FELIZ NAVIDAD Y UN PROSPERO ANO!
I
wish I could type in Spanish, but that requires a special keyboard or a
special knowledge of shortcuts on the keyboard, neither of which I have
so tada!
This past week has definitely been interesting, with this
being my first Christmas away from home and other things. I loved Skyping with
my family! Though, I did start tearing up a bit when I first saw them because I
was suddenly overwhelmed with emotions I haven't had in a long while. I have
forgotten what it feels like to be homesick - which is a good thing in my mind
- but during that call I didn't want to leave/hang up. It was hard to say good
bye again, but it was so good to see and hear my family. I can hear their
voices when I read their letters and I love seeing pictures of them, but it's
not the same as seeing them live. Fortunately, I Skyped at 8 that night and so
I didn't need to worry about being back in missionary mode right after. It took
me a little bit to feel better, but I again felt the Lord confirming to me that
I am where I need to be at this time.
I am meant to be serving a mission right now; specifically I am meant to be serving here in the Ogden Utah mission in the Spanish program. There are hard days (see last week's letter) but the joyous moments out weigh them. I am able to work hard each day because the Lord has called me to this work and He has placed His trust in me with the promise that He'll help me. I am not alone (besides my companion =) ) and it's not just my efforts that are going into these people, this area, and this mission, but the Lord's. The Atonement is real; Christ actually lived a perfect life and wrought out a perfect atonement for me. He loves me and has provided me with enabling power - grace - to do His work and to fulfill my purpose.
The best part for me is that the Atonement is personal. Christ knows me perfectly and understands why I struggle, what I'm feeling, and how to help me. And it's not just for me, but for all of us. The Atonement is there to help me, my companion, our sisters, our investigators, anyone and everyone, to become the people God wants us to be. Heavenly Father is watching over us everyday; He cheers when we succeed, cries when we stumble, and probably laughs at some of things we do (because He has a sense of humor. Why else would He call me, someone who said I'll never live in Utah, to serve in Utah? =) ). He loves us and is trying to help us if we would just accept it.
I am meant to be serving a mission right now; specifically I am meant to be serving here in the Ogden Utah mission in the Spanish program. There are hard days (see last week's letter) but the joyous moments out weigh them. I am able to work hard each day because the Lord has called me to this work and He has placed His trust in me with the promise that He'll help me. I am not alone (besides my companion =) ) and it's not just my efforts that are going into these people, this area, and this mission, but the Lord's. The Atonement is real; Christ actually lived a perfect life and wrought out a perfect atonement for me. He loves me and has provided me with enabling power - grace - to do His work and to fulfill my purpose.
The best part for me is that the Atonement is personal. Christ knows me perfectly and understands why I struggle, what I'm feeling, and how to help me. And it's not just for me, but for all of us. The Atonement is there to help me, my companion, our sisters, our investigators, anyone and everyone, to become the people God wants us to be. Heavenly Father is watching over us everyday; He cheers when we succeed, cries when we stumble, and probably laughs at some of things we do (because He has a sense of humor. Why else would He call me, someone who said I'll never live in Utah, to serve in Utah? =) ). He loves us and is trying to help us if we would just accept it.
I have had to turn to Him a lot more now than I have
recently because of a situation with an investigator. With everything that is
happening, when I pray and ask for help in how to handle this situation, I keep
getting the thought "I wonder if Thou feels this way?" For example, I
am personally hurt (which is something I'm working on, not taking offense
because it really doesn't help anyone) by the actions and words of some people
here because the haven't listened to the Holy Ghost. I feel sad that they are
making, what I feel to be, poor choices and then I wonder "is this how
Heavenly Father feels when I'm disobedient? Does He just shake His head at my
excuses?" I am learning slowly, because I'm a bit stubborn, what charity
really is. It's taking the time to evaluate your feelings and choosing to react
with love rather than your natural inclinations. It's trying to see why these
people are acting the way they are rather than just labeling them as
"mean" or "rude". It's stopping and asking yourself
"How does Heavenly Father see these people?" and "What would He
do?"
I'm still learning and practicing what I learn, even though it's hard, because Heavenly Father and Christ are my examples. I want to be like Them, and They love me enough to show me how I can. Growth is hard, but it's worth it and why we are here on earth. I sometimes look back on my life and groan because it's like, "why did I do that?!?" but it's because I needed those experiences to learn and grow. This situation is the same. I still don't know the specifics of what I need to do or what I should do to make everything better, but I do know that as I try to act as Christ would, things will get better. I can move forward in faith, just this little bit, and the Lord will help me do that.
I'm still learning and practicing what I learn, even though it's hard, because Heavenly Father and Christ are my examples. I want to be like Them, and They love me enough to show me how I can. Growth is hard, but it's worth it and why we are here on earth. I sometimes look back on my life and groan because it's like, "why did I do that?!?" but it's because I needed those experiences to learn and grow. This situation is the same. I still don't know the specifics of what I need to do or what I should do to make everything better, but I do know that as I try to act as Christ would, things will get better. I can move forward in faith, just this little bit, and the Lord will help me do that.
I
love you all and I hope that you can learn from your experiences,
because that's why you have them. You are here to grow and to become
like your Heavenly Father. He'll help you because He loves you.
Have
a great New Years and set goals with the Lord. Share those goals with
someone you love and trust and work hard on them, constantly turning
back to the Lord. I love you!
Love,
Hermana Lindh
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