Sister Ann Elgaaen in Houston, Texas South: January 26,2020 Le quiero mas presidente!!

Hey family and friends!

This week I was called to labor in Houston 9 with Hermana Gordiana, Spanish speaking. (Thanks president) Haha!

Although I understand close to no Spanish, I have been able to feel the spirit so strongly as I share my testimony and experiences with those precious sons and daughters of God in the Houston 9 area.

(Don't worry, my companion translated for me when it was most important!)

The area in Texas City will be closing to sister missionaries, so the elders will take over where I was serving. I am going to white wash Victoria with Hermana Lopez and it should be a "zebra" companionship, meaning half English and half Spanish.

I am so exited to branch out and see more of Texas and meet lots more people!

There was a story shared in one of our missionary meetings this week, and I thought I would share it with you. (Keep in mind that I typed it out the way I remembered it, so it may be a little weird) :)

Once there was a man named Mr. Tanner; he was one of the greatest teachers in the world!

Mr. Tanners class had the best scores, they were well behaved and they loved to learn.

One day however, he decided to move away and teach at a different school.

Everyone was confused as to why he was leaving. The students told him they would be lost without him, the teachers warned him that the children he was going to teach would be difficult and challenging. They tried to convince him to stay, but despite their efforts, he still moved away to teach at a new school.

When Mr. Tanner arrived he told the class that he didn't have any rules for them, but that they had to create their own rules.

The class got so excited. They came up with all kinds of rules, Dont cut in line, dont cheat, dont steal, etc.

After the class had a list of rules, Mr. Tanner asked them what the punishment would be if someone was to break these rules.

"10 licks!" Someone called out.

Mr. Tanner cringed. "That is pretty harsh." He said, "are you sure?"

The whole class agreed that it was appropriate.

They decided together that the punishment for breaking one of the rules was 10 licks(whips), with no coat.

The class began that school year being extremely obedient, but one day Big Jim, came into the classroom after lunch claiming little Tom has stolen his food!

Mr. Tanner approached little Tom who was the smallest kid in the class. "Did you take Big Jim's lunch?" He asked.

Little Tom let out a small yes and ducked his head.

"Why?" Mr. Tanner asked.

"I was so hungry." He responded quietly.

Little Tom looked even smaller in the oversized coat he wore.

"Well, you know the punishment." The teacher said, truly not wanting to hurt this small child, but he knew he must follow their rules.

The class watched nervously. No one had ever broken a rule this far.

Little Tom dropped his head, but he knew that he had to be punished for taking Big Jim's lunch.

Little Tom looked at the teacher. "I will take the 10 licks" he said quietly, "but can I please keep my coat on?"

Mr. Tanner shook his head sadly. "The rules have been set." He said. "The coat must come off."

Little Tom looked around the room, and with big tears forming in his eyes he shrugged the oversized coat off his shoulders.

Little Tom wore no shirt underneath.

Mr. Tanners heart ached. "Tom?" He asked "where is your shirt?"

Tears were now streaming down little Tom's face. "I only have one shirt." He said wiping at his cheeks. "My mom is washing it today and so my older brother let me borrow his coat to wear in its place."

The class stared in horror.

Mr. Tanner did not want to give 10 licks to little Tom, but he knew he had to. "I'm so sorry Tom." He said quietly. "But a rule has been broken, and you have to receive the conciquence." Mr. Tanner had tears in his own eyes now along with many of the classmates.

"I know." Little Tom said quietly.

Just as Mr. Tanner was ready to give little Tom his punishment, Big Jim spoke up.

"Is there any rule against someone taking his licks for him?" He stood and walked towards little Tom.

The class was taken aback.

"I guess not" Mr. Tanner said.

"I will take his licks." Big Jim said.

So Big Jim, the one who's lunch was stolen, took little Tom's licks for him.

The end

I love this story, because it can relate to us and the savior's atonement. A lick or licken is a way they would punish people back in the day. It is a form of "whipping", but they would call it a lick. ,(just to clarify

)

In this story Little Tom makes a mistake. We make so many mistakes in our life! Whether small or big, there will always be a conscience for our choices.

As children of our Heavenly Father, we accepted his plan which includes his commandments and the consequences that follow when we don't choose the right.

The amazing this is that the saviors atonement is there to help us progress even when we make a mistake.

Because the savior suffered for us, he can take on our sins and we can be forgiven!

Repentance is a wonderful thing. Sometimes people associate atonement and repentance with harsh judgement or regret and pain, but the atonement is what allows us to have our "licks" taken for us. It brings happiness and peace into our lives.

Christ has already taken on our sins and pains. He suffered for us and died on the cross. He was then risen again, all so we too can be risen and return to our heavenly father's presence. So don't think that if you repent or use christ's atonement it will bring more pain and sorrow. Dont let christ's atonement go to waste! Repent daily! Progress hourly, improve always!!

No unclean thing can dwell in the presence of god. The ONLY way to return to our heavenly father is through christ's atonement.

Like Mr. Tanner was obligated to give a punishment after little Tom stole Big Jim's lunch, Heavenly Father is obligated to give a punishment for any sins we CHOOSE not to repent of up to judgement day.

Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance!

The price has been paid, the lord has already suffered for us! All we must do is partake of the bread of life and the living waters which come from our loving savior, Jesus Christ.

It is free - Just like God's love.

I love you all so much!! It will be hard to leave texas city especially because I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone, but I know that the lord has a plan for me! I was touched by the spirit this week testifying to me that this is the lord's work, not mine! I am a tool in his hand and I can either choose to sit by and watch the field, or jump in and help harvest it.

I love you all so much!!!