Sorry if my thoughts are scattered in this email. It's so hard to pick and choose what to write about. Everyday is a new adventure. Everyday is a new challenge. There are so many highs and lows, but the highs are so good that the lows don't even matter. It's so amazing to me how the gospel stays the same while we change and there is still so much power behind the word. I've gained so much perspective and understanding in just three weeks. It's truly incredible. This week we have had incredible speakers at our devotionals and we also watched the broad cast of President Packer's funeral on Friday. It caused me to think a lot and really get in tune with the spirit. I have a firm testimony that families can be together forever. Despite what others have done wrong, you are in control of your own salvation and you can make it possible for yourself. YOU. Alma 34:32 states, For behold this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors". I love looking forward to the future and realizing what amazing things I have in store for me. The Lord is planning now for our salvation. What an incredible blessing it is to really begin my life with my mission as my foundation. With my foundation built on Christ I can and will overcome all things with Him. Christ is my rock so I shouldn't be afraid to fall into His arms, to hit rock bottom, when I need help.
I was reading in Moses this week and the first chapter was really powerful for me and it was a good preparation to go to the temple today. In this chapter Moses is transfigured and can be in the presence of God. After this experience, Satan came to tempt Moses but in reply Moses says, "I will not cease to call upon God, I have other things to inquire of him: for his glory has been upon me, wherefore I can judge between him and thee. Depart hence, Satan" (Moses 1:18). Do we realize how much power we have over Satan? Are we continually going to Heavenly Father for ALL things? Are we too quick to forget where that power and that love comes from? Every single person has the light of Christ. Every single person can discern between right and wrong, good and bad. We have what Satan wants most - a body. What an incredible gift it is to be here on earth and to know that by simply being here means that we chose to follow His plan. The first counselor in our branch presidency, Brother Newell, said, "the veil is over our minds, not our hearts". I thought that was such a profound thought I absolutely believe it. Our souls crave for the spirit and the communication with the Father through the Holy Ghost, but it's our minds that get in the way. The feelings of the spirit are familiar feelings, ones that we had before this life and ones we will have after this life. In Preach My Gospel it says, "this gift is a foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life". Our job is to gain as much knowledge as we can to put thoughts to those feelings and draw closer to and comprehend God. The Bible dictionary tells us that knowledge is "one of the attributes of God". This is why it is so important to be spiritually nourished each day.
We cannot let the gospel become common ground. No matter how many times we teach the restoration, no matter how many times we read the same verse, no matter how many times we hear the same response - we must never lose the wonder of this gospel. It comes down to the primary answers we all know. Read, pray, search, ponder, repeat. It's okay to ask for a reconfirmation. In fact God wants us to ask again and again. Let us relive those feelings of confirmation by inviting the spirit into our lives each day.
A new quote from a devotional I love is "It's true isn't it? Then what else matters?"
Everything is going great. I love it here and I am so excited to be in the field. The language is so hard, but I know it will come and I have already grown leaps and bounds. I know I will have incredible experiences with this beautiful language and will gain so much insight. We went to the temple this morning and the Sisters from New Caledonia were in the session as well so as we sat in the Celestial Room I saw them and just pondered. I pictured the people of New Caledonia and was flooded with the thought that I will be able to help women just like these sisters start their journey to the House of the Lord. Not only that, but families. It is incredible trust that the Lord has put in me to invite these people to come unto Him. Seigneur, je te suivrai.
Well, that's all for this week!
Love,
Soeur Stahura
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