Hello friends :)
This week was a lot of introspection on how I have been serving the Lord. The days and weeks and months go by so fast and the time I have to be a missionary is becoming increasingly short. We are talking a lot about diligence in the mission lately and the thing that has stuck out to me the most is that when we are tired, when our bodies or minds are tired and want to rest, or when our "natural man" wants to quit doing good things for God and for others and think about herself that is when we must remember our Savior. All that He did for us. He never shrank from a good deed. He always always turned outwards. When His body begged for rest He pressed forward, and not only pressed forward doing the necessary things, but going out of His way to teach and serve and lift and bless others. When He felt like He had nothing left He trusted His Father and worked anyways.
We can't give up or give any percentage of our effort that isn't 100% founded in the Savior and our commitment to Him. I'm trying to get into the habit of thinking "have I done everything that I can?" before I leave a home, or end a lesson, or leave behind an investigator. And then reevaluate and give even more. It is good to be tired.
Sadly this week many of our investigators dropped us. I know that God is a merciful God and that these people will have another opportunity to accept their Savior.
"Your life must be an expression of your faith. As others observe you they should be able to sense your love for the Savior and His work".
I was reading in Moses this week.
43 Wherefore Enoch saw that Noah built an ark; and that the Lord smiled upon it, and held it in his own hand;
Noah probably didn't see the Lord holding the boat in His hand. He probably couldn't tell that He was smiling. He probably saw a lot of waves and a lot of clouds and lots of sad things as the people who rejected the gospel died in the floods. He probably felt cold and sad and wet. And yet the truth of it was that he was in the Lords hands, God was aware of him and so happy for his faith and obedience. I imagine Noah had a lot of faith and trusted the Lord with everything he had. And everything worked out.
I know that tender mercies are real!! In one day Brother Cragun bought us cinnamon rolls, a lady we were teaching dropped us but gave us two pretty solid referals, we met Marco a guy who is ready to go to the temple and who has a pet deer named Bubbles, and David Garcia, a man we had taught earlier in the week and didn't feel like he was super receptive, but we went back and had the most amazing lesson!!! It is the best feeling in the world to feel yourself guided during a lesson to know what to say and how to say it, as well as much love for the family you are teaching. David said he is really considering baptism which is a huge step for him. He's starting to read the Book of Mormon and his wife came to church on Sunday. He works, but we hope to see him at church the Sunday he has off.
Two nights ago I got a call from the elders saying that Cesar and Bricia are getting baptized on the 23d and that they want me to talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am so happy! I love this family so much. I honestly feel so blessed to know them. Last night we had FHE with them and talked about faith and also played hot potato, or Tingo Tango. Good times :)
We are working hard and I know God is in this work. I'm learning patience, diligence, meekness, and believe it or not- how to be funny. Sister Orchard says I'm hilarious. I hope she's not being sarcastic...
"Be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also".
I love you all no matter what!
Sister Ogden
This week was a lot of introspection on how I have been serving the Lord. The days and weeks and months go by so fast and the time I have to be a missionary is becoming increasingly short. We are talking a lot about diligence in the mission lately and the thing that has stuck out to me the most is that when we are tired, when our bodies or minds are tired and want to rest, or when our "natural man" wants to quit doing good things for God and for others and think about herself that is when we must remember our Savior. All that He did for us. He never shrank from a good deed. He always always turned outwards. When His body begged for rest He pressed forward, and not only pressed forward doing the necessary things, but going out of His way to teach and serve and lift and bless others. When He felt like He had nothing left He trusted His Father and worked anyways.
We can't give up or give any percentage of our effort that isn't 100% founded in the Savior and our commitment to Him. I'm trying to get into the habit of thinking "have I done everything that I can?" before I leave a home, or end a lesson, or leave behind an investigator. And then reevaluate and give even more. It is good to be tired.
Sadly this week many of our investigators dropped us. I know that God is a merciful God and that these people will have another opportunity to accept their Savior.
"Your life must be an expression of your faith. As others observe you they should be able to sense your love for the Savior and His work".
I was reading in Moses this week.
43 Wherefore Enoch saw that Noah built an ark; and that the Lord smiled upon it, and held it in his own hand;
Noah probably didn't see the Lord holding the boat in His hand. He probably couldn't tell that He was smiling. He probably saw a lot of waves and a lot of clouds and lots of sad things as the people who rejected the gospel died in the floods. He probably felt cold and sad and wet. And yet the truth of it was that he was in the Lords hands, God was aware of him and so happy for his faith and obedience. I imagine Noah had a lot of faith and trusted the Lord with everything he had. And everything worked out.
I know that tender mercies are real!! In one day Brother Cragun bought us cinnamon rolls, a lady we were teaching dropped us but gave us two pretty solid referals, we met Marco a guy who is ready to go to the temple and who has a pet deer named Bubbles, and David Garcia, a man we had taught earlier in the week and didn't feel like he was super receptive, but we went back and had the most amazing lesson!!! It is the best feeling in the world to feel yourself guided during a lesson to know what to say and how to say it, as well as much love for the family you are teaching. David said he is really considering baptism which is a huge step for him. He's starting to read the Book of Mormon and his wife came to church on Sunday. He works, but we hope to see him at church the Sunday he has off.
Two nights ago I got a call from the elders saying that Cesar and Bricia are getting baptized on the 23d and that they want me to talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am so happy! I love this family so much. I honestly feel so blessed to know them. Last night we had FHE with them and talked about faith and also played hot potato, or Tingo Tango. Good times :)
We are working hard and I know God is in this work. I'm learning patience, diligence, meekness, and believe it or not- how to be funny. Sister Orchard says I'm hilarious. I hope she's not being sarcastic...
"Be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also".
I love you all no matter what!
Sister Ogden