Guten Tag everyone!! It's been pretty crazy this week. Just kidding...sitting at your desk studying all day isn't necessarily crazy haha! BUT it was spiritually crazy so everyone be prepared for that.
Overcoming Discouragement
I've really been struggling with the language and after I had told my teacher that, he immediately referred me to a section of the Preach My Gospel. These are specifically directed towards missionaries (I wonder why) but I feel like they can be good for everyone. So in this quote, where it says "missionary" or anything else related to the mission, I'm going to replace it with something a little more general. I know it's SUPER lengthy but I encourage you all to read it. I hope you can feel the same Spirit that I do when I read it.
"Your success as a [disciple of Christ] is measured primarily by your commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people (this can include yourself) and help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost. Avoid comparing yourself to other [disciples of Christ] and measuring the outward results of your efforts against theirs...You should not, however, become discouraged; discouragement will weaken your faith. If you lower your expectations, your effectiveness will decrease, your desire will weaken, and you will have greater difficulty following the Spirit."
"You can know you have been a successful [disciple of Christ] when you:
- Feel the Spirit testify to people through you.
- Love people and desire their salvation.
- Obey with exactness.
- Live so that you can receive and know how to follow the Spirit, who will show you where to go, what to do, and what to say.
- Develop Christlike attributes.
- Work effectively every day...and seek earnestly to learn and improve.
- Teach and serve other [disciples of Christ].
- Go about doing good and serving people at every opportunity, whether or not they accept [it]."
"When you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself. You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you."
Living Arrangements
Not that any of you asked, but I wanted to tell you all about where my "Home MTC" is. I really really really wanted the opportunity to go to the actual MTC, but had planned for the MTC at my parents house since the MTCs are closed. As it got closer though, certain situations led me to considering moving in with my sister and her husband. I really REALLY didn't want to move out of my house cause I felt like that was starting my mission earlier than I absolutely had to, but my very wise mother encouraged me to pray about it. I prayed and prayed and prayed, then realized I just kept praying because I didn't like my answer haha! I felt impressed to move into my sister's house which turned out to be the best decision. I've gotten my own groove of things somewhere far (3 minutes away) from home. Although I was really hesitant about it and kept second guessing the answer I had gotten, it has been so amazing to learn from 2 return missionaries. They both had very different missions, so taking things from both of their experiences has taught me what type of missionary I want to be. Plus, their brains are FULL of scripture references I don't know. It's like asking the Bible Dictionary questions...they just spit out these amazing answers that are always PERFECT. Anyways, I just wanted to share with you guys how unexpected the Lord's answers can be. I also want you guys to notice my stubbornness about my answer. Never, ever question the Lord and His knowledge. He will always show you why His way works best. It's not that your way wouldn't work, but He has seen everything "from the end until the beginning." Why not take council from the guy with all the answers? He truly is amazing. I know this story is a very minor thing, but I hope you learn from my tiny experience to listen to the Lord.
Gifts From God
Some of you will know what I mean when I refer to that section in the Doctrine and Covenants that talks about all the gifts we can receive? Well, cleaning isn't listed as one but I've got it. My landlord (aka my sister) is LUCKY to have me (; Just kidding, for service hours I've been working on helping my sister clean her house room by room. They just moved in earlier this year so it's kind of fun to unpack all of their memories with them and decorate with things they got on their missions. I absolutely love them and am so grateful for everything they have taught me. They give me huge shoes to fill but also such great role models. Thank you guys (:
Daily Spiritual Dose
As if this whole email didn't have enough Spiritual stuff in it, I'm going to share more.
Okay guys...read the Book of Mormon. And I mean REALLY read it. Don't just skim through it, that doesn't give the Spirit enough time to testify of its truth. I knew the Book of Mormon was true a long time ago, but this week I gained a real, genuine testimony of its truth. My companion and I (love you Sister Gilmour) read through a talk called "God's Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon" by Tad R. Callister and WOW you guys should really read that too. I had a ton of questions about how it would even be possible for Joseph Smith, with minimal education, to translate an entire book with SO much detail. Well, this talk really answered every single question. I hope you all find your way to reading the Book of Mormon at one point in your life. Even if it's just for the history aspect of it (which is also very cool). If you read this book with or without questions in your heart, and with an open mind, I promise you that you will gain a testimony of it. I can promise you this because it happened to me. It happened to my companion. It happened to each member of my district. God does not hesitate to answer your questions. Just ask, and listen. He loves you. He will answer you.
I love you all SOSOSO much!! Have a great week (:
Sister Rogers
Germany Frankfurt Mission
Kirche Jesu Christi
Texas Fort Worth Mission
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
