Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy

Happy birthday Hannah Kriesel!! Wow, it feels like forever since I have seen you. I hope you are doing well! Happy birthday Logan Dunn too. You are growing up fast:)

It is getting chilly here! I have already worn my winter coat...what in the world?:)

This week has been very humbling. None of our investigators could meet this week. We realized we must plan many back ups and rely wholly upon the Lord. We went to dinner Tuesday with Pam and John and had Smores after by the fire. We shared the Restoration with Pam previously and she seemed interested. While with them, we prayed about how to share the Restoration message with her husband or share a thought from the scriptures. It seemed that, although we were able to testify about different truths of the gospel throughout dinner, we could not think of a way to testify of Joseph Smith. The Spirit seemed to "constrain" us. At the end of the night, I asked if we could share a thought but I did not think they heard me because no one responded. We looked down at our watches and realized we had been there for much longer than we had planned or should have stayed. I prayed for forgiveness and immediately a quiet peace enter my heart. The words "by small and simple means are great things brought to pass" came to mind. The next day, they told us they had heard me ask if we could share a thought and wanted to know what that thought was. We told them we were going to share a scripture. They told us they would have loved to have heard one. I wonder if we should have been bolder. We don’t want them to think that we are befriending them to manipulate them into joining the Church. We truly want them to find happiness. I laughed so hard with them and enjoyed their effortless company. I pray we will know how to help them.

I went on exchanges this week with Sister Schwartz. She has been my sister Training leader since the beginning of my mission. We tell each other we could never be companions because we would have a hard time getting things done...we laugh too hard. Every time we are together, we have funny experiences. We were hitting many dead ends and so to stay positive, I suggested we pick animals and try to replicate their sounds. It turns out she is a pro at this game! I couldn’t believe how realistic the sounds were...we had a good time! We also saw another sunset with a double rainbow on the opposite side...it was gorgeous!

I have learned much about mistakes this last week. Sometimes we learn by successes but more often than not, the biggest lessons we learn come from our mistakes. I came to realize the Lord’s hand in my life this week. Why is it that so often we only realize the blessings we have been given after the Lord takes them away for a time? I am grateful for the Savior. He is the light. He brings the light of clarity into even the darkness of confusion. I am so grateful and humbled at his mercy and grace. I will never deserve all he does for me. I pray I will be able to use the gifts he has given me so I can one day return to Heavenly Father in honor.

Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy

Hymns, Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy, no. 335

1. Brightly beams our Father's mercy

From his lighthouse evermore,

But to us he gives the keeping

Of the lights along the shore.

[Chorus]

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

2. Dark the night of sin has settled;

Loud the angry billows roar.

Eager eyes are watching, longing,

For the lights along the shore.

3. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;

Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,

Trying now to make the harbor,

In the darkness may be lost.

May we rely on the Lord in ALL we do. I am forever grateful for the decision I made with Heavenly Father to go on a mission. I have learned priceless truths by my own experience. I am grateful for repentance because it is in those times that I have had the opportunity to feel my Savior's love. I have never felt Satan's influence so strong before but never have I felt the redeeming love of the Savior like I have here. I am grateful for the selfless love of the Savior. I pray I might emulate him and light the way for others. How grateful I am for prophets and apostles who guide this work. What a wonderful opportunity it was to hear from them this weekend. They speak with the tongue of angels.

We got to watch the last session with President and Sister Forbes and the sister training leaders. It was neat to watch it through their eyes. Have a great week!

 Us in blankets watching conference Sunday morning….spoiled:)

Thanks Mom and Dad for the hat and scarf!