Thursday, November 30, 2017

Monday, November 27, 2017

White Thanksgiving?

Hello!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

P-day was so fun.  We were able to go and spend time with the other two sets of sisters out in the valley and go up to Hatchet Pass, one of my favorite places when I was being trained.  We were also able to have our last lesson with our investigator before his baptism tomorrow!  We are so excited for him!

Having fun on P-day with two other sets of sisters traveling to Hatchet Pass 
 Beautiful Hatcher Pass--(L to R)--Sisters Burdick, Dunlop, Melton, and me

Sister Lake and her companion, Sister Kimball

The following day we had exchanges, and I was able to go with Sister Burdick.  It was so fun and we had some incredible experiences.  We had dinner with a less-active, part-member family, and it was AMAZING.  First off, we had a huge salad bar for dinner, so what more could I ask for, right?!  And then we started talking, and they are some of the most amazing people.  We shared a little spiritual thought, and they shared some of their thoughts.  The non-member then opened up so much and talked about the Holy Ghost in his life and how he has felt it so much recently.  This Gospel is truly incredible!

The following evening, we exchanged back and Sister Kimball and I were able to bring one of the Laurels with us and drop off some Thanksgiving baskets.  It was really fun.  I surely love the youth.  I love bringing them with us and just watching as they get so excited for missions because a mission truly has been one of the best decisions I have made, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!


 Visiting homes with the youth
 Serving food with cute hairnets 

We woke up the next morning to a white Thanksgiving, haha!  We had multiple dinner appointments, got filled with some amazing food, and stopped at houses to visit people throughout the day that didn't have anyone to celebrate with.  It was such a happy day!  I'm so thankful I will be on a mission during the holiday season; it is one of my favorite parts!



Sunday came and ended this week on such a good note!  We had the craziest/busiest Sunday ever, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  We went to Ward Council early that morning, and it was so good.  Then we headed to our first ward, and it was so good too.  We were able to visit all of the classrooms and share/introduce the new "Light the World" initiative with everyone.  Everybody got so pumped about the new program and about missionary work...Miracles are coming!  We went to our next ward that afternoon and the same thing happened.  We were asked by the Priesthood, Relief Society, Primary, and Young Men to share the "Light the World" initiative and explain what it is and how we can invite others to be involved, too.  We could just feel the excitement and love for the work, AND for this wonderful Gospel from the amazing members.  

Here is the link for the video and calendar: https://www.mormon.org/?cid=77107608
Seriously, watch it because it is so worth it.  

I remember so clearly last holiday season as we shared this with many different people of many different faiths, and how excited they got,  They loved the idea of all coming together and serving others.  This is such an amazing message and tool we have to bring the light of Christ into others' lives this holiday season.

The initiative goes right along with what I have been thinking a lot about/studying a ton about, and that is about Christ and His attributes.  One of my favorite scriptures is Moroni 7:45-47:

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.  Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

The Light the World initiative invites us all to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ by following his perfect example this Christmas season and showing charity to others through service to them.  Christ is our perfect example of charity and service to others, and my favorite part about this scripture is replacing the word "Charity" with "Christ":

45 And Christ suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not Christ, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.  Wherefore, cleave unto Christ, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

I think it truly shows our Savior Jesus Christ and the amazing attributes He has.  The type of person He is, and how much He truly loves us.  "If ye have not Christ, ye are nothing, for Christ never faileth."  He will never fail us.  As we strive to become more like Him and make Him the center of our lives, we will find the power and strength to do whatsoever things we have been asked to do.  With Christ on our side, we can do anything.  It brings me so much peace and hope knowing that I have a savior who will never fail me, and what an amazing message we have to share with others.  I love this Gospel so much.  I love being a missionary, and I love the new "Light the World" initiative.  Everyone, go look at it and share it with anyone and everyone!

Have such an amazing week!
Love, Sister Lake
Anchorage Alaska Mission

No comments:

Post a Comment