This week was SO amazing!! I had exchanged this Monday and Tuesday and we got to hold a SNAKE and a POSSUM!! We handed out 6 book of mormons and got rejected 15 times!! (Our goal was to get 20 rejections, so we were close haha)
We had a BAPTISM this saturday and Adah who is 11 and Mason who is 13 got baptised! They have been working towards baptism for a little over a year and it was such an amazing experience to be able to witness and speak at their baptism.
This week I read JACOB 5! I have read Jacob 5 many times in my life. I have been able to relate it to myself in countless ways, especially now as I am helping to gather scattered Israel as a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints.
The verses that stands out to me the most are found in vs. 41 and 47
It says:
"And it came to pass that the Lord of the vinyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my Vinyard?
.... have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the fire that they should be burned. Who is it that has corrupted my vinyard?"
The Lord of the vineyard spoken of in the allegory is representing our Heavenly Father.
He can see exactly what is happening on the earth!
He weeps when we choose to hurt others or disobey the commandments. He cries when we are depressed or broken, he mourns when we curse or fall away.
He loves us perfectly, and it pains him when we choose to doubt him and the perfect plan he has for each one of us.
He truly has nourished us, he has given us food, clean water and a shelter over our head. He has provided an extraordinary prophet and his faithful apostles to help us strengthen our testimony and continue with the Lord's work.
He has digged about us, constantly new ideas and opportunities for growth are beginning to form. Heavenly father had blessed us with technology and many other advancements that have blessed the Lord's work immensely! He has allowed temple after temple to be build so we now gave 166 dedicated temples to help us gather Israel on both sides of the veil.
He has pruned us. And although it may be painful and heartbreaking, he knows exactly what he is doing as he expertly cuts away pieces of our branches so we can grow to our full potential.
He has stretched forth his hand to us, and his hand is stretched out still.
So take his hand!
Endure all of lifes challenges with unshakable faith!
If we slip, get back up again. And do so quickly, because the devil, your adversary walketh about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
It is Satan who is corrupting the Lord's Vineyard and he desires each of us to be miserable as he is. Don't Let Satan Win!! He will try to convince you that you are worthless, that you aren't doing enough, that you aren't cut out for this work, but let me tell you this: HE IS LYING!
You and I mean each of you are a beloved Son or Daughter of our heavenly father. He loves you! You are worth SO much to our father in heaven. If you are struggling with feelings of self doubt or depression I would like to give a reminder, that you are NEVER alone! Remember Heavenly father and our savior Jesus Christ are constantly there working in our vineyard. No trial or challenge is too big for you to overcome with their help! Don't ever give up on our father in heaven, because he never has and never will give up on you!
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| Houston Temple trip |
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| Baptism of Adah & Mason ages 11 & 13 |
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| Ann & Possum |
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| Sister Lewis & Elgaaen |
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| Face Wash Sister Sessions and Elgaaen |
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