So our homie got marred finally! He's so ready for baptism! I have
seen this guy go from thug, to good man in 3 months! I can hardly wait
to see him dressed in white!
We walked a lot this week, and we built some good character, hopefully
we lost a bit of weight too. We found out we have a weight room at our
apartment complex, we have been using that every morning. But that
doesn't matter, it's about the work! I have gotten so sick of worrying
about myself, that I want to move on to others. I feel much happier
when I am serving others. It's discouraging at times, but it's much
better than not doing anything at all.
I spoke in sacrament meeting this Sunday. I talked about Christmas,
and how it's helped me build a testimony of Christ. I thought about
that one for a minute, usually I can ponder all morning and then get
up and speak like no problem. But this one took me a few days to
ponder. I thought a lot about the spirit I felt in the MTC, when I was
there during Christmas time. I spoke on the "power, and gift" Christ
stemmed from the scripture in Moroni 7:16 I normally don't write out
my talks, I just go by the spirit. But I felt inspired to write it
home today. (here's the talk written out) "for behold the spirit of
Christ is given to every man that he may know good from evil,
wherefore I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which
inviteth to do good, to persuade to believe in Christ is sent forth by
the power and gift of Christ..." I pose this question "how often on a
typical week do you use the power and gift of Christ in your life?"
Some of you used this gift today as you partook of the sacrament and
renewed your covenants. I learned in the MTC that you can have
Christmas every day! You can be an example of the believers every day!
It is simply living the gospel year round, instead of seasonally. I
see many reach out around Christmas and Easter time to worship God,
and rely on Christ. If we only did that our eternal progression would
be a lot slower, and we wouldn't have as many opportunities to grow!
Doing that, we lose the ability to use the full effect of the
Atonement. Let us use it every day! The spirit of Christ can be a sure
foundation, it IS, a sure foundation whereon if men build they cannot
fall. (Heleman 5:12) if I learned anything from the last year on my
mission it's that I'm tired of running between hell and heaven. I sure
know the straight and narrow, Brothers and Sisters I've crossed it
back and forth many times. My hope and prayer is that I stay on
heavens path, and that I grab others and take them with me. Running as
fast as I can, until I have finished the race. It takes a little
endurance, and a lot of nourishment from the almighty. If I feel the
heat of the fire of affliction blazing behind me instead of in front
of me, I know I'm in the right direction, and that I shouldn't stop.
Christ was born in a little town called Bethlehem in the city of
David. The birth of the Lord opened a whole new cannon, this was the
fulfilling of the prophets. From the fall of Adam, men and women have
awaited anxiously for this gift. Isn't it nice to live after the
sacrifice of the Christ, rather than before it? We are fortunate
enough that we don't have to wait for this gift to be had. It's right
here for us to use every single day! How many times do we fuss over
messing up, yet deny the gift of Christ that he could help us if we
would repent? How many times have we sat in anguish and sorrow trying
to fix things on our own, and realizing that it can't be done? It's
like trying to turn a bolt with your fingers instead of using the
wrench that is so easily available.
I invite all of you to act on the impressions that you felt today in
this meeting, from the spirit as these other great missionaries and I
have spoken on such an important subject.
My testimony of Christ continues to grow every day, as I see the
countenance of those I teach change as soon as the spirit of Christ
pierces their hearts. It is my favorite part of missionary service, it
is a love that I have found, it is the gospel of Christ. I bare
witness of the reality of that. For those of you who are not yet
members of this church, I invite you to study it out, and pray to know
if this is true. I did this, and I came to know by the Holy Ghost that
it was. I know him, I love him, and he loves me. He love you, he has
called you to serve those who's hands hang so helplessly low. May we
do so with humble hearts, and sure foundations. In the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.
I will be skyping on Christmas at 6:30pm (my time) mom, I can also
FaceTime you if that's easier. Let me know what you want to do.
Love y'all.
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