Last Tuesday, after I wrote, we had the big Tuesday Devotional. Lawrence E. Corbridge spoke and it was just what I needed. I probably say that every week, but it is! His wife shared the story of a young Sister missionary...she had just arrived in Brazil and said it was "the most silent week of her life." She couldn't speak the language and didn't think she could teach. Near the end of the week, they were talking to a woman in the street. The woman looked at this Sister and said "You have a light. And you don't need words to share that." Sometimes I forget that I am going to Korea to preach the gospel, the GOOD NEWS! Learning Korean just helps with that. It isn't my purpose. In 3 Nephi 18, Christ says that He is the light we hold up, the example that He has given us. If we follow His example, we can be that light no matter where we are or where we are from. I volunteered for this mission, saying "here I am! Send me." Elder Corbridge encouraged us to "serve a mission, not just go on a mission." and that is just what I want to do.
And then Easter Sunday. What a beautiful day to reflect on the life and resurrection of our Savior. I read through the account of the Savior's last days, His atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection, in Luke and Matthew on Sunday before Sacrament. As I was reading in Matthew, I came to verse 53 in chapter 26. I was filled with gratitude for Christ. He was willing and able and WANTING to be our Redeemer. In that verse, He says that he could have called down legions of angels. But He didn't. He could have saved Himself. But He didn't. He chose, instead, to save us. Just as Elder Bednar describes, Christ shows His character by turning outward. Because of the atonement, we can present ourselves at the feet of the Savior over and over, to say "help me become clean." We can do that everyday...or several times a day! because, for me, I need that.
"Dear God of new beginnings and second chances, here I am again." {not sure who that quote is by, but I absolutely love it.}
Christ knows what it feels like to be frightened, insecure, disappointed, and hurt. He will weep with us and carry us through our trials if we will let Him. But He also knows what it is like to feel joyful, confident, and fearless. And He wants to be with us during those times as well. He will succor us, run to our aid, when we need it. He hears our prayers. I don't understand how...because here at the MTC I'm pretty sure that at any given moment hundreds of us are praying for the comfort of the Savior. But I know that He does.
We had an MTC-wide Sacrament meeting. The Sacrament was passed to over 3,000 missionaries here. Is that astonishing or what? Bishop Gelrad Causse and his wife spoke. They brought such a beautiful spirit with them. Sister Causse expressed the thought that "Christ is not here to condemn us, but to save us." So rejoice in His atonement! And Bishop Causse gave a wonderful talk on gaining a testimony of the Savior. To be able to say, as Elder McConkie did, that when we see the Savior, we will not know any better then than we do now that "Christ is the Savior, the Son of God.”
Sheri Dew came for the Easter Devotional. She talked about the influence we have on others and our own tendency to be influenced. So how does Satan try to get us? He tries to confuse us about [1] who the Savior is [2] who we are [3] how we recieve personal revelation. The Savior is the answer. He already atoned for your sins. He already offered you a way home. We are children of God and He wants us back...our pedigree can be written on one line. and if we ask God, He will show us how He speaks to our souls.
As you can see, Sundays are the best. They are a time to recharge and remember why I am here. Ahhh...love it!
Yesterday was April Fools! We can't pull any crazy pranks here, but a Sister in my District did an awesome one. Sister Washburn and Sister Dorman have been the only two girls in their room until last Wednesday. They got 4 new roommates. Sister Washburn does a pretty convincing Scottish accent. So...we all talked her in to pretending she was from Scotland for FIVE DAYS! It was hilarious! Her roommates were so impressed. So last night, for April Fools, she starts telling this story of her friend who got to the MTC and pulled a joke on her roommates. and then she says (while acting it out) "then my friend stands up, throws her arms out, and says 'April Fools! I'm from Idaho!'" we all start laughing our faces off. The roommates take a minute, and then bust up as well. so good :)
No comments:
Post a Comment