This has been a great week. I
have probably reached both my low and high points so far. It is hard
being humbled by the Lord, but never before have I realized how
important humility is, and I am still working on it. Moroni 7 teaches us
that we cannot have faith nor hope nor charity if we are not meek and
lowly of heart. And if we don't have Charity, we don't have anything! That
is so true and real. The Spirit I feel when I teach someone I truly
love and have a desire to help is much different from my ability to
teach someone who I am choosing to be annoyed with.
"1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not acharity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of aprophecy, and understand allbmysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the apoor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
I
love this scripture. We can do almost everything we think we can, even
have faith enough to move mountains, and still be nothing if we don't have Christ like love.
Yesterday
my district had exchanges. I went into biking area with Elder Smith,
who came into the mission with me. So 2 brand new missionaries biking
around alone, trying to preach the Gospel! Yes, I can imagine your
worried face, Mom. :) I will say that it was one of the most rewarding
experiences so far on my mission. I appreciate and respect my trainer,
Elder Hicks, but I have used his experience as my "crutch" in the field
so far. Yesterday, I had no choice but to trust in what I had learned so
far, and even more so in the Holy Ghost. We biked for probably 2 or 3
hours before we got to talk to anyone. People don't like to answer their
doors... especially when they see 2 white shirts and ties standing
outside! Well, it didn't phase us at all. We both have a very strong
conviction and desire. So we kept biking, then we saw a guy sitting on
the side of the road smoking. Perfect! Oh wait...both of us can barely
speak Spanish. We gave him a card and told him to have a good day. Well,
the more we biked around and talked to people, the more confident we
got. At first we felt like babies thrown into a swimming pool. But then
we realized...we can do it now! We are missionaries! We were called of
God, and are entitled to His help! We started understanding people
better, and spoke Spanish without fear or hesitation. Well, It had
gotten dark, and we had to leave in 15 minutes. Elder Smith turned to me
and said "Hey, for the next 15 minutes, lets be the BEST missionaries
who listen to the Spirit" So we prayed, an started walking. I walked
past a particular house, stopped, and walked up to the door. We told
them we were there to pray with them and help them. The lady told us she
was very sick, and was struggling with work. So I prayed right there on
their doorstep with them, asking Heavenly Father to bless her with
health and support. The Spirit was so strong! I testified to them of the
reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and that the message we share
is His message. That he has provided a way for us to overcome all of
life's difficulties and ultimately have happiness forever. They told us
to come back and share more! It was the coolest thing ever! The Lord
will use you to do simple things if you will trust in the Spirit with a
desire to do His will. And although we didn't teach a single lesson
yesterday, I learned from Elder Smith that when we Go with God, we will
not have failed.
Well
I have run out of time. But I love you all so much! I can't say more
than what I have already said, but I do know that my Savior lives and
loves us! May we always remember His life and His love.
-Elder Christensen
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