Not too much time again this week but I’ll do the best i
can! This week we had a visit from Elder Tad R. Calister of the presidency of
the 70! We had big zone conference on Friday and he taught us for 3 or so hours
with his wife and the Maluendas teaching the other hour....and then on Saturday
Elder Barth and I got to attend a small group meeting with Elder Calister and
his wife that lasted another 2 hours.
The teachings and trainings were great and I'm especially
grateful for the personal stories and scriptures that we got to hear! At one
point Elder Calister was talking about how the Atonement of Jesus Christ will
make right all of the wrongs in this life and he shared a verse in Revelations
that I love a lot!
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there
be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Another thought that he shared with us was the idea of rules
and principles. Principles are simple, allow for greater agency which means
greater opportunity for learning and growth while rules restrict and are put in
place to help out the weaker or those of bad judgment. In the mission field I
have learned so much about the importance and blessings of obedience,
especially pertaining to the obedience of Gods commandments! Another scripture
I read this morning that helped reinforce that lesson was D&C 105:5-6, 11.
13.
5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles
of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto
myself.
10 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people
may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly
concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands.
12 For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and
blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue
in humility before me.
14 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the
battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I
fulfil—I will fight your battles.
It helped me see that many times when I’ve struggled on my
mission it was because the Lord was helping me to learn to obey, to do things
His way and not mine and now I can see how much better off I am because of it!
Lastly...a fun story from the week! Each week we go by and
visit the Polendo family! Last week sister Polendo made some of the spiciest
salsa I’ve had on my mission! This week she was making it when we got there and
their kids were coughing and we started to as well because the chili was so
strong! She’s one of the primary teachers this week and we found out that the
primary kids are singing Feliz Navidad for the ward party on Friday. Feliz
Navidad is our favorite track from the Michael Buble Christmas CD we got from
the APs to listen to on P-Day and so we were excited and volunteered our help!
As well....when Elder Calister came we got together as Zones in the Valley so I
got to see all the other missionaries I served with in Brownsville! I’m
grateful for good friends in the mission!
Have a great week!
Con amor
Elder Cook
No comments:
Post a Comment