I would like to first and foremost thank the members of the Purvis ward for how much they take care of us missionaries. Whenever we don't have enough dinner appointments for the week, our Relief Society President makes calls to the ward asking if anyone could sign up for us. When our washer breaks (and it did...), we have a myriad of members who offer to allow us to use their washer and dryer on P-Day. They are all so willing to step up and help us whenever we need it, and I couldn't be more grateful for that blessing. Thank you to all the members worldwide who try their best to help the missionaries in whatever way they can. We appreciate what you do SO MUCH!! You have no idea!!
Weather update for the Purvis area: we've been having an early spring for the past three days. The sun has been shining, the humidity has been at a merciful 50%, there's been a breeze that's just gentle enough to sway the trees and give us magazine-model hair. It's been GORGEOUS!
And then we wake up this morning and find out it's been raining and the humidity has gone straight up! Awesome! Oh, Mississippi, how we love you and your inconsistency.
This week in the Hattiesburg Zone, we had Zone Conference! It's different from the last one we had, where we had to squeeze the Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport Zones into the Oak Grove building. This time, we had car inspections (yes, Sister M. mopped the car again. In the dark) and the whole shebang! We met at the Oak Grove building first, which is where Sister M. and I attend church, only to find out they were cleaning the carpets. We then had a large line of bike-rack-adorned cars making their way to the Hattiesburg building.
When we arrive at the H'burg building, we find out that the heating has been broken for at least a month. That day, the wind bit straight through your clothes and tore right into your bones. It didn't matter that the sun was out; the wind was having absolutely none of that. We tried to warm up inside, but the building was colder than the outside! It was hilarious! We were listening to President Olson address us while we used blankets and jackets from the lost and found to keep us warm (Sister M. and I are smart and carry gloves with us at all times). It was hilarious!!
It was great to see all the missionaries in my Zone. They're all a ton of fun. We all had a great time, but nothing could have beaten the Spirit that attended that Zone Conference. President and the ZLs and STLs introduced a new way of weekly planning that has now extended our two-hours planning sessions to eight hours or more every week. It's SO FUN! We had the best time doing that this week! You have no idea truly how much fun it is to plan for someone's progression in the gospel!
President also asked us to emphasize the gospel of Jesus Christ when we teach. Now, you may ask, don't you teach the gospel everyday?? What's that about?!
In Preach My Gospel, the Gospel is the third lesson we teach. It covers the five steps to everlasting life: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and enduring to the end. These five principles are essential to our conversion to the gospel (and you shouldn't have to be converted to the Church to be a convert). You can do nothing without faith. Faith in Jesus Christ is the one thing you must build upon your foundation, or else you will be subject to darkness, confusion, and an eternity of sadness. Faith is a principle of action, and one of the ways we show our faith is by repenting.
Repentance is one thing I've truly had to work to understand. I remember being taught about it when I was growing up and being so confused because I couldn't repent if I didn't commit a major sin, right? That's what I thought. So, I figured, I didn't need to repent! Awesome! I'm doing pretty well!
But, then I did some studying. I did some praying. I realized that repentance allows us to utilize the gift that is the Atonement of our Savior. I always wondered how I could use the Atonement in my daily life when I wasn't breaking the Ten Commandments or something, and I realized that sins aren't always big. Sins are little spots on you; the things that hinder you from growing; sins appease the natural man while we are trying to reach a spiritual, divine potential. Repentance is how we grow. Repentance is the pain that leads to the relief; by repenting daily, we are not allowing our Savior to have suffered in vain. He did what He did for you. He didn't do it so you could pretend you are fine and perfect all the time -- because we aren't, and there's nothing wrong with being imperfect. Our Father expects us to do our best, not strive for unachievable goals that we cannot attain in this life. Perfection will come if only we try our best to be like Christ and remember the suffering He endured for us. Don't let Him die for nothing, brothers and sisters. You are not nothing.
After repentance, we are able to be washed clean through baptism. At baptism, we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and follow Him and His commandments no matter what. At baptism, we cast our nets aside and follow Him. And after we do that, we are able to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost -- what an amazing gift! This gift allows us to enjoy the blessings of the Holy Ghost's constant guidance, protection, and companionship as long as we remain worthy of it.
Then we have that wonderful enduring to the end part. I think oftentimes we see enduring as gritting our teeth and forcing our way to the end with fists clenched until our knuckles are white. But no! Our Father in Heaven doesn't want us to be angry about the gospel -- the gospel is what brings happiness. True, soul-deep, everlasting happiness comes through this gospel. Through faith and the beautiful gift of repentance, we are able to endure with a smile on our face. If you know you're trying your best, that you have a Father in Heaven who loves you and desires the greatest joy for you, that you have a divine purpose then what reason do you have to be sad?
Of course, sometimes we will lose the eternal perspective and get lost in the heartaches and whirlwinds of mortal life. That is simply a consequence of our time on earth. But that's okay -- that's why we have the Savior.
Don't ever lose hope. Faith and hope go hand-in-hand. Do not harden your heart; allow yourself to be open and feel the love that comes from the Spirit and from the Atonement. Remember that Jesus Christ is your advocate. He is the one who says, "Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified. Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life" (D&C 45:4-5).
He loves you. Your Father loves you. They desire your happiness, and they have great blessings in store for you. I am so grateful to be able to carry this message door to door. I am so grateful to have a Father in Heaven who loves me and knows what I need even before I do.
Seek ye first for the kingdom of Heaven, and then ye shall have your reward. Endure happily, brothers and sisters. We are living in a time where the fullness of Christ's gospel has been restored to the earth. His doctrine is pure and wonderful, and I am so grateful to be able to share that with the people of Mississippi.
Who have you been able to share it with?
Have a blessed week! Godspeed!
Sincerely,
Sister Rose
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