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Good week! Twas a good week. Where to start?

First of all, I have a new scripture to add to my list of favorites. It is 2 Timothy 1:7 and it says "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
SO. GOOD.

Also, Acts 5:38-39 says "And now I say until you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." 
Whenever someone here finds out that I'm going to the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center, they feel the need to tell me two things. 1) It will be cold. (YES AWARE OF THIS THANKYOUBYE) 2) There are a lot of anti-Mormon protestors up there. Ah, yes. Less than excited about that. But between the two above scriptures, I'm really not worried. I know with all of my heart that I'm doing a good work. My intent is to uplift and help whoever I meet, regardless of background or belief. Throughout history there have been those who have been upset at people who witness of Christ. I'm not sure why...anyone who knows me knows I am anything but a threat. Ha. I think when I get home I'll stand in front of homeless shelters and health clinics to protest. Woo!
(Ahem. Kidding. Just for posterity's sake.)
But really. You know what every missionary is required to memorize and state as our purpose? Our purpose is to "bring others unto Christ." This week at a workshop we had a lesson/discussion (mostly targeted at a few zealots from Utah) talking about the different times in our lives we've been buoyed up by those of other faiths- inspired by their enthusiasm and faith. In my life I have been supported and taught more than I deserve by those who believe different things than I do. I'm just spending the next year and a half of my life trying to pay those people back and add light to light. I've been so blessed. Why is it that everyone can't be as blessed as I have been? I have friends currently serving and teaching of Christ in Madagascar, England, Denmark, Sweden, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, and Russia, not to mention half of the states. I believe that God works through mankind. If you don't share that belief, I invite you to consider all of the beautiful people who surround you and have surrounded you in the past. Don't forget about them.

Yesterday our district had the opportunity to be host missionaries! Which means we get to essentially babysit a neuvo as they enter the MTC, get their books and residence and all that. It was great! I was assigned to Siera Christensen from some place in Cananada......I am really horrible and don't remember where. Ah! Anyways she is really great and I'm glad to have had the chance to know her. No fears, just ready to roll. Can't say the same thing for some of the new Elders I saw walking around...for some of them this is their first time leaving home for real, they don't really know why they're here or how they can get by without their mother's laundry and cooking, and most of all many people who enter the MTC haven't figured out if they have faith or not. Being a witness of Christ would be pretty terrifying if you weren't sure about Him. Hopefully they figure it out. However, there are many who go home every week before ever entering the field. This work calls for conviction. 

Mostly what I want to share from this week are quotes ha. I kept running into people or listening to people who had something to share! Have you ever thought about the fact that it is unlikely that you will ever meet anyone in this world who does not know something you could benefit and learn from? Experiences? Character traits? Dreams? Thoughts? EVERYONE has something to offer. Insane. Try not getting overwhelmed by THAT thought as you walk down a busy street downtown! So much to learn!
-"If you focus on yourself, you will only feel happy when you are satisfied. When you love everyone else, your joy will be constant." -Elder David A. Bednar
-"We're in big trouble, and there's only one way out."
-"Just do good and be good!"
-"Righteous desires cannot be superficial, temporary, or selfish."
-"A disciple of Christ lives in the frontier of faith."

And to end, a poem:
"'Come to the edge,' He said.
'No!' we said, 'we'll fall!'
'Come to the edge,' He said.
'No!' we said, 'we'll fall!'
'Come to the edge!' He said.
We came to the edge.
He pushed us.
We flew."


Is it not time God sent His armies to revive a dying world?

I hope everyone that finds this finds themselves doing well. Only a bit longer in the MTC, now!
-Hermana Ray