Hello!
Another week! Quick update!
Tuesday, we had Tim's baptism. Such a sweet experience! His friends that originally invited him and his family to church flew up from Utah just for his baptism. It was such a special experience. Everything went super smoothly. At the very end of the service, we were able to sing the song, "Families Can Be Together Forever." As we were singing, I looked at Tim's sweet family--his wife who was baptized just a couple months ago and his three adorable kids--and in that moment I was just so thankful for this wonderful Gospel and knowledge that we have of the Plan of Salvation that we can live with our families for eternity.
Baptism Day--Tim Gruenes, his wife and three children!
We were able to teach the Plan of Salvation twice this week, and what an amazing plan that God has created. I have been thinking a lot about the plan and the peace that it brings in knowing where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. As we were teaching this principle to some of our investigators, who have thought about these questions a lot before, it was so cool to see the peace that overcame them. Hearing the plan just clicked with them! It is such a wonderful plan that truly comes from a living, loving Heavenly Father who wants nothing more for us than to return to live with Him again.
We have been doing a lot of finding, and it has been amazing to see the Lord's hand in it all. Whether it is through tracting, former investigators, or part-member families, we have seen so many miracles. There are some incredible people here that I surely do love, and they have made me very thankful that I have been called to serve in this area.
Birthday Bash for Sister Wilden! Sisters (L to R)--Sister Fa'anunu, Yeates, Johnson, me, Burdick, Wilden, and Kimball
I want to share one of my favorite scriptures from this week. I have been reading in 2 Nephi 2:2 lately, which states:
Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
Leading up to this verse, and following this verse, Lehi is talking to his sons and basically giving them his last words before he dies. Through it all, he shares his testimony with them. I love this verse because as I have been reading the story of Lehi and his family this last time, I have been amazed at their faithfulness and obedience to the Lord. They were not asked to do an easy thing whatsoever when they were told to leave Jerusalem. That was a trial in and of itself, and they had no idea that trials would keep on coming, but through it all they continued to do what the Lord asked of them. They were given trials, but Lehi saw these trials that we endure can be turned into our benefit. He didn't see them as bad things, but I feel like he truly understood that those trials and afflictions they exprienced were the Lord's way of helping them learn, grow, and become stronger.
Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said it best, and explained that God provides us with challenges that are designed to help us grow spiritually: "Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11-12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain."
Heavenly Father is aware of us and exactly what we need. He loves us, He knows our potential, and He will help us reach the potential that we have. I have such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and know that its words contain the word of God. This knowledge truly brings peace, direction, and healing into our lives, and I encourage all of us to take our beloved prophet Thomas S. Monson's invitation to read from the book daily.
I love you all! Love, Sister McKenna Lake
Alaska Anchorage Mission
Carrots anyone? (P.S. Alaska's carrots truly are the best carrots ever--don't know why!)
Alaska all wrapped up in one picture!
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