Hola Mi Quierdo Familia!!!!
Pues, mi semana fui
un poquito dificil. Oh! Sorry, my week was a little hard. On this part of the
world, everyone was in vacations, getting ready for graduation, or had like
summer fever. It felt like we walked more this week then I have in so, so long.
We went from
investigators, to less-actives, to recent converts, to old investigators with
no avail. But I learned something very important this week. Endure to the
end!!! Wow, it really got to points in the day that we would sit down because
our feet felt like they were saying 'no more, no more'. I have only been at
this point a few times after my first area. This might sound a little crazy but
I really am grateful for these weeks. These are the weeks and the days that make
every other week triumph sweeter. It makes those moments when the investigator
is progressing more joyful. It makes the times that you find the golden
investigator feel like the greatest moment in your life. It is times like this
week make the mission something that is not only a testimony builder, but a
life-changing event.
I never would
have imagined before a moment in my life that I really wanted to cry because someone
else was not taking their salvation seriously. I could never have imagined how
much joy it brings to my heart to see someone receive the priesthood. Or to
know that someone is working their way to reuniting their family once again in
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Every day it is
hard, I remember those moments and it gets me through the day. Also, a talk by
Jeffery R. Holland is my inspiration to keep on walking, talking, and trying.
Elder Holland:
Missionary Work and the Atonement!!
Anyone who does any
kind of missionary work will have an occasion to ask, “why is this so hard? Why
can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the
Church? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being
soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?”
I have thought
about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced
that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience.
Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth,
and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us
when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and
mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane.
Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the
summit of Calvary.
Now, please don’t
misunderstand. I’m not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ
experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that
missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to
know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of
that same price.
For that reason, I
don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor
that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed
to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul.
If He could come
forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and
cry, “Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass,” and then little
wonder that salvation is not an easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn’t
an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that.
Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn’t
an easier way.
When you struggle,
when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out, you are standing
with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life
ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son
of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to
salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity is
through Him—the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I testify that the
living God is our Eternal Father and that Jesus Christ is His living and Only
Begotten Son in the flesh. I testify that this Jesus, who was slain and hanged
on a tree, lives. The whole triumph of the gospel is that He lives, and because
He does, so will we.
This really is my
favorite missionary talk of all time. To imagine the Savior in agony is what
makes missionary work worth it. He was the greatest example. He was and is the
reason that we are here. I have gained a much great respect and love for my
Savior then I ever had before. I know that my Savior lives and loves each and
every one of us! I know that he suffered for not only my sins but for the hard
times, for every tear I have split, for every one of the times that I felt like
the world is against me. I know that he is the greatest friend that I can ever
gain in this life. I know that through him he made it possible that my family
can be eternal! I love my Savior!
I hope you all had
a fun time together and just know I love each and every one of you!!
Con Amor Siempre,
Hermana Harris
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