Aloooooooha!
Pues, somos muy bendicidos aqui! Hemos tenido muchos cambios, pero se que con Dios, podemos tener la fuerza y la direccion para seguir adelante, y para encontrar los que estan listos para recibirnos! (Well, we are very bendicidos here! We have had many changes, but that with God, we have the strength and direction to move forward, and to find those who are ready to receive us!)
Good hearing from y'all!! It has DEFINITELY been a week, both here and there, it sounds like! Lots of things going on in both places - activities, and the like! Quite a few changes here, too! Oh, and before I forget - I forwarded that letter to you, Mom, and was wondering if that was something that you can print off and mail to me? That way, I can read it. That would be great!
Sounds like there has been a lot going on this week, especially with all the fundraisers! It's really fun to hear all about how everyone is doing - Kristin seems to be doing really well, especially as she provided the entertainment for the fundraiser all by herself! Even playing upside-down, too! And wow, Kaytlin really seems to be taking on a lot - she needs to teach me her time management techniques, because I'm really lacking in that area right not (so much to do, not nearly enough time to do everything! I wish there were times that I could just freeze time, finish up what I need to finish up, and then unfreeze it!) What topic did Justin speak on on Sunday? Do you think it would be possible to get a copy of his talk, just to read? And how did he get home from school that day when the blue van wouldn't start? (Good to see that it's still running, though - Definitely a Toyota!)
How are things going with school right now? Getting close to finishing everything up? Or do you still have one more semester before graduation?
Things here have been CRAZY! Well, I guess not super crazy, but it feels like we're opening up the area again. At transfer meeting, our area was divided into two areas: Houston 8 West (us) and Houston 8 East (Hermanas/Sisters Sorenson and Harper). The Sisters have the area that we worked most often, so now we're embarking in 'new territory.' That has been an adventure! Another adventure is that we have now become a bike area. There have been a lot of blessings from that. One of the greatest is that, although it can be difficult sometimes, we have the opportunity to talk to A LOT more people. From those experiences, we learn what we are doing well, and also what we can improve to have more love for the people and a greater desire to share the gospel with them. It has given me some more time to think and ponder over the experiences we have out here, and things that I need to sort out. The only bad thing about that is if I get SUPER DEEP into think and don't see the big curb right in front of me...but as of yet, that hasn't happened (knock on wood!).
We've been trying to work a lot with someone named Nefi Deras. He's 13 years old (I think I've mentioned him before), and his mom and brother are members. His brother is serving in the military, but served a mission before that (Justin! You can do BOTH! But I'd challenge you to serve in the Lord's army first. There really is no greater call!). His brother will be coming back on the 7th, and we're planning on having Nefi's baptism on the 10th. He needs a lot of prayers in that aspect, because his mom isn't 100% supportive. She wants him to learn a lot more before making the decision to be baptized. It's been a little bit of a fight there, but we're hoping that his brother helps him out with the desire to be baptized, and then to have his brother perform the baptism.
"A mission is a strange experience. It's a trial and a test.
A mission throws at you the worst, yet teaches you the best."
I don't know if I've sent you that poem yet or not, but it is one of my favorites. That's only the beginning, but it talks about some of the experiences and emotions from the mission. I've been learning so much, and even though I've been studying, off and on, the Atonement throughout just about my entire mission, I feel like I'm just barely coming to understand it. I feel like every time I'm going through a low point, whether in studies or during the day or week, or even in our companionship, the Lord places something in front of me or a thought in my mind that helps me to keep going. Sometimes, this "animo" just seems to come from nowhere!
An important part (one of the key reasons) of why we're here is to grow and learn, to have experiences, both good and bad, that will eventually lead us again to our Heavenly Father. If this was all that there was - if there was no life after death - yet we still have that firm faith in our loving Heavenly Father, that brings up a question: Why isn't everyone happy? Because if this is all that would be, this life here, our Heavenly Father would want us to be happy in every moment, and would provide the means to do so. But we're not 100% happy in every moment - Sometimes we have sorrow, pain, and trials. But because of that, we can know that there is something greater. We can know that if we follow our Heavenly Father's plan, and share that plan with others, one day we'll leave this "valley of sorrow" and enter into a "far greater land of promise."
I know that this work is true. It's tough. Sometimes it's a trial. But at the end, we will "rest from all our labors." We will be able to live with those we love. I'm so grateful for the knoweldge of this plan that we have. How great the importance to make these things known to the entire world!
I want to challenge everyone who can to begin preparing now to serve a mission. It really is one of the greatest times we have to come to know our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, whom He sent.
Thank you for all your love and support!! Los amo, a infinidad, y mas alla!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Devin Collins
No comments:
Post a Comment