The Hope of Israel

 This week was so Amazing. Sorry I didn't get my email out yesterday I went to the temple with all missionaries then did a choir practice and had a devotional by Bishop budge of the presiding bishopric. But I found a computer lab today so lets go. 

This week I experienced so many miracles and tender mercies and I have a few really cool concepts to share. When I got dropped off it was a little hard but I was mostly excited. Last Wednesday as like the first physical step toward adventure even though I have had so much preparation. A soon as I stepped out of the car the missionary behind me was a friend from band (Elder Tanner, I had a pic but it got erased when I reset my phone) From that point on I kept seeing people I knew around campus. I haven't gone a single day without seeing someone new that I know pics 1-6. The person who escorted me to my room was Elder Thomas Olds which was so cool. It was so comforting to know my district and a lot of other people coming in. I loved being able to not feel alone and I try to make friends with anyone who looks alone although having a companion helps with that, hopefully lol. 

My day looks like this, 

6:30 wake up from alarm and study/exercise, shower get dressed. Go to the cafeteria which actually has OK food its just long lines. Lunch today was amazing because the freshness hadn't arrived yet and this morning the last batch left. 

8:30 first class with Sister Perez, it's cut into three hour long periods with a 10 min break in between. We usually learn the next section of Preach my gospel and do a book of Mormon read where we read a chapter and stop and talk about it. Those are really fun. Then we usually have a guest that does some kind of activity. My favorite activity we did this week was about what repentance is and I'll talk about that later. 

11:30 lunch break and we usually hangout until our next class with either the other elders in our hall or with our district. Me and Elder Waddell have our own room which is epic but we don't have other elders in our room so we just kinda vibe on our own a decent amount of time. I love Elder Waddell he is the most patient person i have ever met. He has never once voice annoyance with me and never makes me feel rushed even if we are running late. He makes me laugh a lot and we are really good friends. 

1:30-4:30 We have our second class with Sister Schofield. It's really fun to and follows the same schedule as the first class.

4:30 for the rest of the night it really varies. Sometimes we have a devotional or a workshop to go to. We also do teaching lessons with people through the Training Resource center. Those are fun but can be stressful because it's the way you actually practice being a missionary. 

That's pretty much what our day looks like. Now I just want to share a few thoughts and cool experiences. 

I got to give a really cool priesthood blessing to one of the Elders in my branch or across the hall. We have all kinda been struggling as it is an adjustment but it's still the happiest I've ever been. In the blessing I got to see him in the premarital life walking walking God. It was the coolest experience, it made me grasp slightly what it must be like to give a patriarchal blessing. You see people with the love that God has and you can't despise them after that. 

A few things I learned. 

Repentance is not a singular event, it is anytime you do anything that help anyone turn toward Christ. Everyone we do good it is repenting. Every loving have a good day is repenting. Repentance does not end after a pray nor did it begin when you sinned. It is the prosses to return to our loving heavenly parents.

Though it is comforting to say goodbyes. We need not focus on the goodbye for we have been given the greatest gift of all to live for ever. Each and everyone shall live forever. There are no goodbyes no dramatic ending. For we are in the midst of serving our God. There is nothing we could do that would make his sacrifice profitable for it is so great, yet he lives us so much that he gave us everything. Now go and change, repent do not stay in your place. Begin NOW look to him and begin to walk toward him. It was put upon my mind this week that we often talk of the straight and narrow. But it is not that it was never that it is the strait and narrow. Our path is attacked on both sides by the waters of darkness. Beckoning for us to swim and become lost. Here is the epiphany - No matter how far away we are in the water feeling the sinking feeling. Christ walks on the water to where we are under water or in the water, reaches down and pulls us up on the water. If we will then continue to look at him and follow him. We can stay on top of the water and walk to where he is from. Where we are from, and where God (father and mother) is. It matters not where you are in the water however far you feel from that path for the path you are on is the path you walk. But begin to walk the path towards Christ for as we have faith in him we can walk on the water. 

The difference between a sinner and a Saint is that a Saint keeps on trying. Keeps having faith that he can be healed through the pain. Has the hope that he can return again and knows that it will happen. 

Cool experience 

The last is the reason for the subject line. I had the amazing experience to sing in the MTC choir. If any of you ever have the chance take it even if you aren't a "singer". OK so anyway, I am the first group to have every language so we are the pioneers since COVID. We are starting the resurgence of missionary work in a new way. It was so cool one of the Elders in my District shared a passage from his patriarchal blessing that He would use technology like no other generation to bring about the work of God ,and that hit me hard. Anyway in the choir practice I'll I'll and attach a file of the Audio. He talked about how we proved ourselves in heaven. God saved us for the last inning and this is the last call before the angels shall pour the vials of destruction on the earth. WE ARE THE HOPE OF ISRAEL. and after he said that we ran through the song. With 600 brand new missionaries all singing in full, going forth to nearly every nation kindred tongue and people. WE ARE THE HOPE OF ISRAEL. WE are to fight for people. The battle is not against people it is for people. It is a battle against Satan. Anytime we turn someone's heart, make someone smile we are fighting the battle and It boy is it going to be an epic battle. 

With that I say Amen. 

Love you all thank you for all your support.

I testify that Jesus is the Christ. I wear his name on my breast and I can't wait to continue to harvest the wheat.