Family!
Transfers are tomorrow!!!!! We found out today that Elder Reese and I are staying together for another 6 weeks! We are looking forward to a new transfer. We will be staying these six weeks still in the house with the Slightings. Sister Slightings just made a big breakfast for out Zone this morning so we could announce Stay-Gos. Only 3 people in our Zone are being transferred. And of those remaining 4 will be here in the zone 6 months, including myself, by the end of the transfer.
I have finished the Book of Mormon in Spanish, and yes it is still true. And I just finished the Doctrine and Covenants as well. I have learned so very much about my Savior and about the Spanish language in reading these two books. I am beginning again the Book of Mormon, reading it this time in both English and Spanish. In my English copy I am marking by topic and looking for patterns in the nature of God and prophets and anything else that I come across. In my Spanish copy I am highlighting words that I do not know and looking up their definition as I read aloud each word. I am hoping that this will expand my vocabulary. It is amazing the strength I feel as I read intently and with focus in the mornings as apposed to those mornings when I am merely looking a the words. I am hoping that my focus on the scriptures will bring more understanding to me as pertaining to the principles of the gospel.
We just had stake conference yesterday. I have only attended 2 stake conferences since beginning my mission. they are a wonderful opportunity to hear from our leaders who are receiving instruction from their stewards. The spirit of Revelation is powerful and present in those meetings.
I believe with all of my heart that my mission has saved my life. It has provided me with the proper tools and knowledge to enjoy a successful probation here on this Earth. I know that it is from the gospel and example of Jesus Christ that I have this opportunity and ultimately through the great wisdom of my Heavenly Father. I do not blink at the trials in my life with that formerly common thought of ,"Why?" I understand now that from any trial springs forth new found wisdom and blessings and faith. And for this reason I ask ,"How?" How can I take my circumstance and overcome the trial, avoid the heartache, and ultimatley do what my Heavenly Father would have me do. I have realized that my desires have not always been the Lord's and that to find true happiness I must make my desires his. WIth that in mind let me tell you of an experience I had this past week:
At the beginning of the week we had an appointment scheduled with an investigator who we had recently talked to on the street. This would be our first visit to her house. We took down her adress and other inportant information and bid farwell until the appointment. The night of the appointment my companion and I entered the apartment complex and I verbally confirmed the apartment for which we would search, "215," I said. My companion agreed, and we began looking at the numbers on the doors. Eventually, we found 211, then 212, and subsequently 213. When we reached this door knowing we were heading in the right direction, I realized I had proclaimed the wrong apartment number. At this point, 215 did not seem right. Normally, I would at this point, as I have done many times in these situations, pulled out my planner and looked for the right number. However, as I reached for my planner, I received the strongest impression not to check the apartment number and to knock on 215 anyways. There was a moment's hesitation, and then I proceeded to knock the door. The lady who opened the door said that her husband was a memebr of the church and that she would love to have us over. We swapped information and she closed the door. I was beyond words for what had just happened. But, I did not question the way of the Lord. We knocked on her door for a reason. Normally, I would have verified the number and went for the target door skipping over the mistaken one; however, this night the Spirit directed we do otherwise.
God has a hand in this work and we see it everyday. We see it in the roads we feel we ought not go down, the smiles from compelte strangers, the dogs who seem to quite when we come by, the people with whom we share the message of the Restored Gospel. Christ lives! The atonement is real and is available for our use if only we will follow our Heavenly Father with full purpose of heart.
I love this work, this calling, this title, this responsibility.
Love,
Elder Cronin
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