It's a new week

It's Monday morning and I am looking forward to this new week. I have several things on my "To Do" list but I don't feel too overwhelmed. I think this is a first for me. I guess all of my prayers asking for help to relax and not sweat over the small things are being answered.

Today I am going out with the sister missionaries. We have the greatest missionaries in our ward. I think I love them so much because they are very obedient and are really trying their best to do the work in our ward. I really want to help missionaries that work hard because I remember how difficult the work is. We have a sister in our ward from Japan, Sister Saoto (I think that is how you spell her name). She was called to the Temple Square mission and is serving here for 4 months so she has the experience of a proselytizing mission. She has so much love for me and the people here. It is amazing... you can just feel it and see it in all that she does. The sisters are teaching a lady named Laura that came to church a few weeks ago with her kids. She has a friend that lives in a different state that introduced her to the church. Laura decided she would try it out and she and her kids love it. The sisters were over for dinner a couple of weeks ago and told me about Laura and I asked them if I could go to their next appointment. I remember how scary and overwhelming it was for people that were investigating the church so, I am hoping I can get to know her and be her friend. I met Laura yesterday at church and she seems very nice. She has scheduled a date to be baptized and I am super excited for her. It reminds me of days as a missionary...which I love and miss... so I hope to help the sisters out.

Missionary work is so inspiring, so powerful because the Spirit really is the testifier, the purifier, the reason why people change and want to follow Christ. Missionary work is also exactly what it is called.... WORK. It is difficult at times. It can be frustrating and hard, but I have found that nothing of real value comes easily... (at least for me). I miss those days (at least most of the days). Last week when I had the sisters over for dinner, they asked me if I ever had days when I cried on the mission. That question opened up the vault of my many memories of the days I became discouraged, frustrated, and sad. I remember being sad every time someone would reject us, not because they were rejecting me... but the message... the Savior. When you know how important, how vital this restored gospel is and the way it changes peoples lives, you want that for everyone. But... people must choose for themselves and must want it. You can't force it upon someone. I remember a person we were teaching say to me that she just couldn't accept that God and Jesus Christ are 2 separate beings. I was heart broken, I was deflated. I was sobbing because I knew how much the restored gospel could bring her greater joy, a deeper love for her family and God. Then the Spirit quietly whispered to me that even though she rejected the message... doesn't change the very fact that it is true. I remember sitting quietly and thinking... that is so true. Because people don't accept the restored gospel... doesn't change the very fact that God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and restored the fullness of the gospel. My heart was lifted and instead of feeling sad and deflated, I felt hope and love. Love for this person and a hope that her heart would one day change and soften and be open to what is true. I love it...even though it is difficult, it is worth it. I see the blessings from serving a mission every single day. I once heard Pres. Hinckley refer to serving a mission at 19, 20 years of age is like giving the Lord a tithe of the life you have already lived. Just like we receive blessings beyond measure for giving the Lord a tenth of our money, when full time missionaries, in a sense tithe their lives to the work of the Lord and consecrate their time and energy...their everything to the work, the Lord in turn blesses us beyond measure. He blesses our lives and I believe the lives of our children. I see and feel it everyday. I don't always recognize it, but I am trying to be better. I am grateful for that small sacrifice I gave to the Lord and the blessings He gives me each day. God is good.