Monday, June 9, 2025 10:33pm
Hello, how's it going?
Lots of cool stuff happened this week.
We've been kind of struggling to find new friends recently, but miracles exist and God knows what he's doing.
Tuesday, we taught the only progressing friend we had, Diana. She's staying 6 months with her aunt and uncle who are recent converts. We came with the intention to teach the Plan of Salvation and give her a baptismal date, but some doubts were stopping her from accepting.
Then, her uncle and aunt bore their testimonys as prompted by the spirit of their own baptism, the doubts they had, and the reason they made the decision. Diana started to cry. She was experiencing the same things they did! The spirit was incredibly strong!
After that, we asked if she wanted to be baptized and she said yes without the smallest moment of hesitation! Then she and her aunt excitedly began to plan the baptism program! It was incredible to see the change!
Later in the week, we were blessed to find a dad and his 10 year old son with interest in learning more about the gospel! The son is particularly excited! We gave them a tour of the church on Saturday and they also came on Sunday! Teaching them could be difficult because the father's work schedule, but if he truly has the desire, it won't be a problem.
One of the benefits of serving in Salt Lake City, Utah is that general authorities happen to pass by sometimes. And uh, our favorite British apostle just decided to pop in on us on Thursday. Yeah, we got visited by Elder and Sister Kearon.
Elder Kearon seems to have certain topics he loves to speak about, because I've studied his talks recently and he mentioned a lot of the same topics. Things like showing our joy, refugees, repentance, divine gifts, among other things.
Of course, this was all focused on being missionaries. So these things showed up in the form of matching our message, starting our morning right, and things like that. I've heard a lot of this kind of stuff before, but he definitely gave me a better perspective on it all and renewed my desire to strive to become better!
If I sound dismissive or ungrateful, I don't mean to! It was amazing, I really did learn so much and I loved it! The spirit that was present as soon as he walked into the room was indescribable!
He was also quite humorous had us all laughing often!(He mentioned that he had a bit of jet lag from his recent trip to the Philippines and that we should not start our day like he did that morning.) We all got the chance to shake his hand which was pretty cool.
One of the things that stuck with me the most that I think we all can benefit from is their insight on trials.
Borh Elder and Sister Kearon talked to us about our trials. Why do we have them? Well, what would our existence be like without them? There would be no point to be here on the earth and we would return to our God in the same state we left Him.
God puts us to the test not to give us a grade, but for the process that strengthens us.
They have experienced a ridiculous amount of trials in their lives, but have you ever seen them look even a little upset? I haven't. Elder Kearon is known for joy, after all. What's the secret to joy in the face of sorrow?
Sister Kearon shared D&C 59:7, which reads, "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things." She really emphasized 'all things.' By gratitude, we can have true joy. All those who are grateful are joyful. Those who are not grateful are not joyful either.
It is a very hard thing to be grateful when we have a trial and we usually would never hope that something hard happens to us. But we can be grateful because there is always something to be learned, something to be gained from every difficulty. If there is no resistance, there is no growth.
I'm so grateful for the things I've had to go through. Even though I did not enjoy them, I wouldn't change them because of what I have learned. My challenges have helped me to become so much more like my Savior, and have as well given me many more opportunities to minister to and understand the difficulties of others.
Be grateful for everything and I know that you can receive a bounty of joy and much more!
No idea what other pictures worthy of putting in my email this week, so if you are still hungry, you can have these, but they're all I've got so you can't be picky!
Okay, well, sleep is good, and I'm in need of that particular good thing. Adios!
Comp needed the honey bucket
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