Dear Family,
This
opportunity to serve a mission has strengthened my testimony that God has a
plan for each and every one of us. How sad would life be if we were just stuck
as the person we were yesterday? The person who made mistakes, who misspoke and
hurt someone’s feelings. The person who has regrets. Life would be empty
without the opportunity to change our very natures. So we are given
opportunities. Most of the time they are difficult, or may seem to be more than
we could possible handle. But each experience, if we allow it, is molding us
into the person the Lord would have us be. Someone who is humble, teachable,
loving and kind. I have seen SO many times on my mission how the companions I
have had, the people that we meet, or even the leaders in our congregation were
put in my path to help me grow. I have been so grateful for that growth. I
can't even put into words the gratitude I feel when I think of the way these
experiences have changed my heart.
Why
then, when we are in the middle of one of the "difficult experiences"
that inspire growth, do we begin to doubt and to say "why me?" I have
seen that a lot lately in the lives of so many we meet with. Our investigators,
the members, ward leaders. They all eventually begin to ask "why."
And, I know I am by no means an expert, but it has been something I have
studied a lot lately. I have reached the conclusion that when we ask,”
why", it is usually because we have lost sight of or misunderstood the
nature of God. Some of us were raised in different homes with different types
of families. Some may have a different idea of what "love" is. Maybe
love to them requires a price you must pay. Or that there is a
"limit" on the amount of times you can make mistakes before the giver
of the love just says, "that’s enough." So when we loose sight of His
true nature, how do we really know? How can we know Him? How when we feel so
bad and so down and ask "why me" so many times... how can we remember
Him and feel of His unconditional and unending love for us? For me this week
the answer has been to read from the Book of Mormon. As I do that, I begin to
better understand His nature. I begin to see more clearly how my trials are for
my benefit and that they are not given to me out of revenge but out of deepened
love and a vision of the future and what I can become. I love the Lord. I am
thankful for His involvement in my life. I have seen so many times this week
why Sister Siemens and I are to be
companions. I love her so much. This gospel is such a blessing in my life. To
be able to change, to love more deeply, and even to be able to forgive myself
when I fall short of expectations. Do you think that ever ends? Do you think
there will ever be a time where I NEVER fall short of expectations? Life is
hard but it is incredible and I am SOOOOOOOO thankful for the opportunity I
have to serve. We had our Christmas Brunch this week and it was fun to be
together with all the ward. We have
an incredible ward! I hope all goes well for you guys and that all the
preparations for parties and stuff go well. Mom, do you at least make Alicia
help you with that stuff? Who am I kidding? I know you too well... you do it
ALL on your own. Don't wear yourself out Mom. I love you too much.
Love, Sister Mitchell
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