Funny story first: Elder
Summers is hilarious. He kept complaining about his head hurting, and
three days after of him complaining, we asked him if he had felt like
throwing up, if he had had a hard time remembering things, or if he had a
hard time focusing. He said, "You know, I really thought it was just a
headache, but come to think of it, I probably have a concussion." He
went to the doctor and sure enough! He had a concussion from the bunk
bed, just like Hma Price. I laughed. So hard. These beds are evil, I'm
telling you. I don't know who they'll attack next week, but it will
probably be me just cause I laughed so hard about it.
Okay now for all the emotions. We found out Tuesday
night that E Wares had to go home. His Doctor said if he didn't have it
fixed, it would cause him to go blind in that eye and then spread to
the next eye. I literally cried from 7:00
when we found out until I went to bed that night. I didn't really
understand why I was so upset until I realized it was because I couldn't
imagine being in that situation. I cannot imagine having this taken
from me, I can't even explain it in words, but the fact that I cried for
3 and a half hours straight hopefully explains how I feel about this
mission. Before E Wares left he said, "I don't know why Heavenly Father
is taking me mission from me right now, but I know he has a plan."
14B
left this week (We are 14A) so that was hard. They were all really
great guys, and they will be fantastic missionaries. Hma Price's best
friend and neighbor growing up was actually one of the Elders in that
District, so it was really sad seeing her say goodbye with a handshake.
I
got super frustrated with Spanish again. Actually Hma Price got
frustrated with it too. Haha during the Grammar part I freaked out one
of the Elders cause I was just glaring at the computer and I guess he
just hasn't seen the angry part of me yet...haha! Anyways, during
Personal Study Hma Price and I both felt the comfort of the Lord.
Actually, you might all think I'm crazy, but I had the impression to
write a letter to myself, because I knew if it were one of my friends I
would have advice for them! So I just wrote what the spirit told me and
then I read it afterwards. This is what it said,
"Trystan,
you prayed to the Lord that he would allow you to go on a Spanish
speaking mission. You will speak Spanish fluently. Did you think it
would be easy? The only way you are going to be able to speak this
language with the little training you've had is through the mercy of the
Lord. If you are humble, he will make this weakness your strength.
Spanish will be the most powerful language you can possibly preach the
gospel in. It is the language that you are needed for. Look how far
you've come. In 4 weeks, you have learned more than you ever did in a
year and a half of Spanish. The Lord is on your side. He wants you to
succeed. He did not call you to this mission because he thought you
MIGHT be able to do it, he called you to it because HE KNOWS you can.
Rely on Him. Be humble, and know that He is not only cheering for you,
but He is guiding you along, allowing you to stumble only enough to
realize where your strength really lies - in His hands." Ether 12:27 is great.
I
realized that Spanish is not the most important language to learn on my
mission. I need to learn the language of the spirit. And good news!!
That has been the greatest accomplishment so far here at the CCM. I am
obviously still learning, but I have never understood the promptings of
the spirit as clear as I have here on my mission.
Example:
One of our teachers, Hno Romero, is acting as one of the investigators
he taught on his mission. As Hma Price and I prayerfully planned our
lesson, I had the impression to use the story in Alma 36 about the
conversion of Alma the younger. Even though our Spanish was VERY broken,
the Spirit was crystal clear. Both of us left with our hearts full
because we knew that what we said was of God, and not us. Our teacher
told us afterwards that Alma 36 was the exact chapter that he shared
with this investigator, and it was what gave him the hope to eventually
be baptized. This investigator had been involved with gangs, drugs, and
murders, and had no hope of God ever forgiving him. But through the
mercy of Jesus Christ, he was forgiven. He was baptized and was able to
feel the freedom of the forgiveness of God. At the end of this story in
Alma, he says how his Joy was now as great as his sorrow had been,
because of the mercy of the lord.
If a man
like this, or like Alma, can be completely forgiven, and feel the
redeption of the Lord, dont you think we can all feel of His love if we
will just come unto Him? We can all be made whole, but it is ONLY by
acting on faith upon the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
Hma.
Price blew my mind today. We were talking about a devotional we had
from E. Holland. In it he told us how Preach My Gospel took 7 years to
write, and the purpose of changing the missionary program was to convert
the missionaries before the investigators. He said the original name
was suppose to be "Preach my gospel by the Spirit" (Taken from D&C
50:14) but that the name was too long so they shortened it to PMG,
however the full name is still the point. This is not my gospel, its not
Hma. Price's gospel, its not Joseph Smith's gospel, and its not Thomas S
Monson's gospel. It is The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Anyways, we were
talking about this, and about the Christlike attributes section in PMG
that teaches us how to be converted, and about how they are listed in
D&C 4. Then Hma. Price asked, "You know how the prophets say, 'Every
member a missionary?'" I knew exactly what she was thinking. It doesn't
just mean everyone share the gospel- It means everyone become
converted. Everyone gain the attributes of faith, hope. charity and
love, virtue, knowledge, diligence, humility, patience, and obedience.
Can you imagine of the whole world had these characteristics? Even if
every member of the church had these attributes? THAT is why the
prophets said every member a missionary. It's not because they need more
members of the church, it's because together, we can spread the love of
Christ to everyone. President Uchtdorf said, "That language (The
language of love and the spirit) is the pure love of Jesus Christ. It is
the most powerful language in the world. The love of Christ is not a
pretend love. This love rings about real change of character. It can
penetrate hatred and dissolve envy. It can heal resentment and quench
the fires of bitterness. It can work miracles."
So
I beg of you. Study the scriptures. Develope these attributes. Study
PMG - it teaches you how to gain these attributes. You can't just obtain
them because they are not talents, they are the characteristics of
Christ. It is only through Him, and the enabling power of the atonement
that we can become like Him.
Lastly, read the Book of Mormon. "We
invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in
their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal
Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this
course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity
by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.)
Those
who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to
know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world,
that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and
that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s
kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second
Coming of the Messiah."
I
don't have a lot of time today, so if you emailed me I will either
write you back next week or write you a letter when I get back to
California. I LOVE all of your e.mails and hearing how you are all
doing!! Thank you for all of the prayers and the support. I love you
all!!!
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