Hello wonderfuls!!! It is such a happy time when I get to email all of you brilliant Children of God each week. This week was pretty interesting! On Tuesday, we had P-day, and went back to that Swinging Bridge Hike that we went on a month or so ago, but this time we went on another hike, called Kootenai Falls. We took some really amazing pictures, AND!!! I SKIPPED ROCKS FOR THE FIRST TIME!! It was so exciting!! I've never actually been able to skip a rock successfully, so it was a wonderful day. It's the small victories, friends, I'll tell ya. :)
Well, Tuesday night we were having an impromptu lesson with Amie, our Recent Convert, at the church. She wanted to talk and just be in the church to feel the powerful spirit here, and our appointment cancelled (not a coincidence, I'll tell ya), and so we met up and had a lesson. Well, part way through, we hear this doorbell at the church ring.. We get up, go look outside and there are these two young men standing there. Confused, but not scared, we opened the door and they proceeded to tell us all about how their friend was in danger and they knew that they could come to the church for help because "your church helps people." We were able to get them in contact with the Bishop, he was able to help them, and all was well. It was such a tender experience that we "just so happened" to be in the right place at the right time so that we could help them out. I love how even people who are not members of the church can feel the Spirit and know that this Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is different. That we truly are a safe haven from the world and that any one, member or not, can come here and find respite and renewal from this increasingly wicked world. It was such a tender experience that even though to us, at first it seemed like our plans were interrupted, this was exactly what Heavenly Father and Christ had in store for us to do. What a blessing to be able to be an instrument in the Lord's hands - even for the little things!
Well, spring is upon us, my friends!! YES!! It's such a blessing. But, with some blessings, such as happy spring weather, come bugs... of all kinds. YAY! (that was a sarcastic yay..) :) Anyway, there have been not only real big bugs everywhere up here in Bonners Ferry, but also, other types of bugs, like the flu bug! Yours truly (that would be me, Sister Griffith) has been the wonderful recipient of this bug this week. What a joy. That's okay. I rested yesterday, reluctantly because I really just wanted to do missionary work, and am feeling somewhat better today, so that's good! :) I only got to attend Sacrament Meeting yesterday too, because of it, so that was sad, but it's okay. It's all up from here, right?
There has been some opposition this week, but it is also a blessing. I am reminded of part of one of my favorite talks, "Trust in the Lord" by Richard G. Scott (
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/trust-in-the-lord?lang=eng). My favorite part of this talk, perhaps, is this line. "
Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain." I love that so much!! How true it is today and forever. Sometimes we have trials in this life. When they're not a result of our disobedience, they are evidences that the Lord sees that we are prepared to grow more. How wonderful of a promise is that!? He loves us. He wants us to be happy, but this life isn't just about joy, it's about growth. The growth that we experience sometimes comes in joyful moments, but I have seen a lot in my young life so far how a lot of times, that growth comes with "growing pains."
After our District Meeting this week, we went out to lunch as a District, and when we were paying at the end, Sister Rogers and I recognized a man that we had met earlier in the week buying some soup. He had even brought his own container, and requested some some soup. The lady at the counter, unfamiliar with his situation, told him that she didn't think that she could sell him the soup separately. He, in a desperate tone, said politely, "Please ma'am. I've done this before. I just need this soup for my wife. She has cancer, and she really enjoys this soup. Please." My heart went out to this wonderful Son of God. He was doing everything in his power to bless another, but circumstances beyond his control were keeping him from doing so. Well, to skip to the end of the story, this wonderful man got his soup for his wife, we were able to say hi to him, and we all went on our way. Why do I bring up this story? Well, one reason is that it goes along well with that quote. Sometimes, things happen that are contrary to our will, despite our own best efforts. When these things happen, it can be easy to get down, discouraged, and wonder when everything is going to change. We may have cause to cry out, "Why!? Why when I've tried so hard to be good, why has this happened to me?!?" Well, friends, maybe we don't know why, but we can put our never-ending trust in a Father in Heaven who loves us perfectly and in the enabling and strengthening power of His perfect Son's infinite Atoning sacrifice for us in the Garden and on the cross. When times come that try our faith, when we feel hopeless, when we each experience bugs of all kinds, turn to a Heavenly Father who knows and loves you perfectly. Kneel down, pour out your heart to Him, and then listen. He will tell you what you need to do. Pray that your relationship with Him will be strengthened amidst every difficulty, and then go forward, reading your scriptures, praying, attending church, and continually turn Heavenward, and everything will work out for your good - you too, like this sweet man in the restaurant, will be able to get soup (or every righteous desire of your heart) as you put your trust in Him who can see it all.
Well, it wasn't my intention to just write this this week, but I think I was supposed to for some reason. I love you all and am so grateful I am able to learn and grow on this mission in Bonners Ferry, and throughout life. I hope that you all have a glorious week and know that you are loved, by so many (myself included. :))
No comments:
Post a Comment