Elder Jake's new companion, Elder Pugh
Jake said he is "super sick" which in Jake language means AWESOME!
Jake said he is "super sick" which in Jake language means AWESOME!
(Just a side note from a mommy perspective, Elder Pugh has only been out for 3 months. Elder Jake has been out for 16 months. I only mention this because the color of their shirts speaks volumes.)
Well this has been a good week! We have been really busy and the work is catching on fire! It's sweet! We are getting lots of people to teach and lots of referrals from members. This is going to be a really good transfer. Here are a few cool experiences from this week. A less active man asked us if we could teach him, a less active family moved in to the ward and want us to teach their son who's about to turn 8 and be baptized, and we set up a lesson with a new investigator for tomorrow. Not to mention we stopped by a potential and got a great response that will turn into teaching opportunities. Plus we picked up a new investigator who is crazy and a druggie hahaha. And we had a great visit with a part member/less active family that was over an hour long. Super solid visit.
So a couple months ago (maybe) I wrote home a message about Lot and his wife. About how she looked back and got turned to a pillar of salt. Well this week I have a similar message, with a slightly different twist. In the Bible, in Philippians chapter 3, Paul talks a little about what the past is for. He says:
"13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Not only do we have to let go of the things in our past, but we are to reach forward to the future and embrace it. There will be times that come which will be trying and hard, but we must have those experiences in order to grow.
This scripture talks about "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." A prize is something you get when you have accomplished something. The prize we are striving to achieve requires trials and hardship. It requires some suffering. So suffer a little. Feel a little pain. Struggle and fight to overcome Satan. Fall down. Fail a couple times. But never forget that the whole point, the most important part, is that we are always pressing toward that prize. The most glorious prize of all time. The amazing reunion we will have in the life after this with our friends and family. The joy we will feel as we conquer our trials. The strength we will gain as we get back up. And the love we will have for Jesus Christ as we come to better understand all that the Atonement enables us to do.
"Press toward the mark" and never look back. Move on from mistakes. Forget about the failures, and prepare for the battle ahead of you. Ephesians 6:13 "13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." After we have done all we can, Christ gives us the power to stand. To stand tall and unshaken before our foes. To stand tall and not back down. To stand tall and keep moving forward.
I know God is with us every step of the way. I know he will be at our side when we need him. And I know that no matter how many times I fall, no matter how many times I slip, or forget who I am, or forget what I am striving to achieve, there will always be another chance for a better life. #JustKeepSwimming! I can't think of a better phrase.
I love you and hope and pray that you are all safe. God be with you til we meet again.
Elder Anderson
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