This has been such an incredible week. First off, Happy Easter! I cant even describe anymore what a mission is like. It is the most fulfilling thing Ive ever done in my life. This week was 100% spiritual so that's what I hope this email will be.
Im going to tell you a small story of when I was young and relate is to how I feel now. When I was little I remember parking across from Rancho San Rafael Park and watching fireworks with my family on 4th of July. I remember the colors and the loud sounds. When it was over, I cried. I missed the beauty and I wanted more. Silly right? Well I experienced the firework effect yesterday and Im still experiencing it today. Hang on til the end of the email and I will tell you why.
So the first spiritual experience of the week was exchanges. I had the privilege of being in charge of our area and showing Sister Hendrix around and teaching with her. She taught me a valuable lesson of faith. The faith to find those who are in need of the gospel. We were able to teach a woman named Betty who never really gave Sister Regen and I the chance to share our testimonies. We also were able to teach Rose, a woman that Sister Regen and I have been trying to get in contact with since Ive been here. Exchange miracles are real. This next one was the biggest of all. Our appointments for Wednesday afternoon had fallen through. I looked at our backups and said we felt inspired to go see this particular LDS family. We went, and to our surprise she opened the door, invited us in and started crying. She shared with us she had just discovered she had a miscarriage. I know Heavenly Father wanted us to be in that home that day and to deliver insurance to her that God is aware of her sufferings and that families are forever.
We had our Zone Meeting which was a very inspiring meeting. All the questions I had for my part in the mission field were answered. I am grateful for my Zone and the missionaries in it. We have also been informed we will have a special training meeting in May related to the use of iPads in my mission. Yes, in June we will have ipads and we will be able to further hasten His glorious work.
General Conference was this last Easter weekend. I have never had a more fulfilling, spiritual, humbling meeting in my life. I dont think Ive ever been chastised by the Lord as much either. I want to make clear to anyone who read this, I know my Redeemer lives. He rose on the Third day and it is ONLY through Him that we are able to live again. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in Christ. They testify that he IS a resurrected being. We celebrate Him and His life. He Lives. Jeffery R. Holland stated, "It is the most Sacred day of the year." This General Conference has stirred feelings in my heart, I never knew existed. President Kim B. Clark was called as a member of the Seventy. He was my president at BYU-Idaho. Quite honestly, there are many things that stuck out to me during General Conference. I will only highlight a few because there are many others that are too close to my heart to share. I invite all to go to lds.org and listen to this past General Conference.
The testimonies shared by these brethren and sisters are so bold and strong. I admire them for their continuous steadfastness in Christ. I cannot say that I had a favorite talk because the Holy Ghost touched my heart and soul with every single one. Elder Runland shared this: "Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do for today." If you want to do something, change something, or be something: do it today. Do not wait. This is where my firework effect comes into play. I realized after General Conference all I wanted to do was cry. Why? Its the most joyous thing ever; to listen to our living prophet and be guided by revelation from on High. General Conference was so spiritual, so filling, giving me the most gratitude Ive ever felt which made it so I never wanted it to be over. Its probably just a Sister Jordan thing but the firework effect is real and Im so grateful.
This week i wish to express to you my sincere love for President Thomas S Monson, his beloved counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve apostles. These men are called of God. They have been chosen by our Supreme Creator to guide this church. The knowledge I have received this past conference regarding living prophets and apostles is of such that if I ever deny the impressions I have felt concerning the validity of their calling, it will stand against me when I face the Lord God Almighty in that final day of judgement. I testify and sustain that Thomas S Monson is the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I sustain his counselors and the Quorum of the twelve as prophets, seers and revelators.
My invitation to you this week is in two parts. First go and read/listen/watch this General Conference talk by Dieter F Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. Then when you are done, go to youtube and look up "I believe in Christ" performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Make note of how you feel. When they beautifully exclaim "While I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard Ye Shall Obtain" I can never not feel the Holy Ghost.
I love you all and pray for your well being and health. God be With You Until We Meet Again
No comments:
Post a Comment