Have you ever felt strongly about something that you know has changed your life?? Whether it be the a speech, a speaker, a book, a soap opera, an acne cream, or whatever that something may be, you want to share it with everyone that will lend you an open ear. Thousands of people share their stories over the media to uplift and help others live better lives and have courage to stand for what is right. That is exactly how I feel about the message that we share as missionaries. This message has changed and sculpted my life in such a way that I know this can and will help anyone who applies it in their life. Henry David Thorough once said," Grief can take care of itself, but to have a fullness of joy there must be somebody to divide it with."This past week I have learned a little more of what Henry David Thorough was trying to say. For the past couple of months, my companion and I have been working with the Quinones family. What wonderful people they are. I will never forget the first time we met them. As we began to teach this family more and more about the gospel of Jesus Christ, we began to see a light come into their lives. Now I'm not saying that they weren't already great and happy people, because they definitely were! But there began to be something more enter into their lives. Every week we went by, Katy(the mother) and Marina(the daughter) would share what they had learned with us through their own personal studies of the scriptures. But just because they were now reading the scriptures and going to church more often doesn't mean that their lifes were stress free. No, then the message that our Lord and Savior shares would be worth nothing to us when we obtained it because we paid nothing to receive it. But this wonderful family continued onward. As they read from the Book of Mormon, it gave them a spiritual strength that helped them overcome many difficult situations in their lifes.
As they went through their own trials and bumps in the road, I remembered my own. I know what helped me keep my head above the water during those times, and I know that is what has helped the Quinones family. It is the love and peace that come from the knowledge of the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ.
About 3 months after our first visit with the Quinones, Katy and Marina were baptized by the Katy's husband Warren. As I saw them take that step in their lives, I felt joy because I know that they had taken a step that would change their lifes forever. I know that even if our lifes are not always perfect and how we had planned them, that we can find peace even during the most powerful storms of life. That is what The Quinones family and I have found, and that is what we are determined to share with the world. Whatever way we can, whether by phone, in person, or on the internet, we will share this message with whomever will lend us an open ear. Because we know that Jesus Christ lives! And he stands with open arms to receive whomever will reach for him. How can we not help him in such a great cause?!?!
Now this leads me to explain why we are now using the internet to spread this message. I know that whether face to face or over the internet the power of the message that we share can be felt. My calling is that of Paul , to take the gospel to the world!
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| http://www.oneil.com.au/lds/pictures/bible_bookofmormon.jpg With love, |
I remember my first day at church in September, I entered the doors for the first time of my own free will, scared and excited. I had made a promise to our wonderful missionaries that I would be at the Sunday service and to see their smiles that day ensured me that this was the right place to be. I could feel something greater than I ever felt before, the love and understanding of the gospel was ours for the taking. This was the same feeling I received when I first started reading the Book of Mormon, it made me feel that the image of Christ with his arms open wide was welcoming my family, waiting to comfort us, a peaceful feeling, which was allowing us to gain His knowledge and share a beautiful light. Part of this beautiful light is the wonderful missionaries that came every week to share, laugh and cry with us. They shared all their knowledge and we “gobbled” it up, learning so quickly because I believe that we had known this knowledge before. I am forever in debt to Elder Eccles and Elder Abbott for sharing this beautiful word of the gospel, for giving my family a new understanding and purpose in our lives. You both are like my family, my younger brothers, we are forever linked!Thank you for the beauty of words and helping us find our our way.
ReplyDeleteWow What a beautiful story. It truly touched me to the core and as I recieved joy that comes from this amazing life changing expierence. I think that many of us has had a life changing expierience whether it be good or bad, hopefully good. It is our job to find out why this has happened to us and how we can learn and grow from it. I am a huge sports fanatic and love attening football and basketball games. It dosn't matter what team you are cheering for becasue everyone there is there because they love the sport. When I get the chance to see a sold out game between two rivals I love nothing more. The raw energy that it brings gives me goosebumps. Why does this give me excitement? I'm not sure why but everyone has there thing that they injoy most. But what is more important?, your favorite team winning the championship or your neighbor, co-worker, or best friend entering the waters of baptism as this wonderful family did. They created a bond with the hard working missionaries that will never be severed. Who can we share this with. Who can we cheer for and be so excited to win this game we call life. With the many trials and tribulations we face everyday we need a boost, a little encouragement to help us on our way and path back to our loving Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeletewho is in need of a loving favor?
Awesome post! Truly the Gospel does change lives and gives us that eternal sense of direction. I know that what you said is true because I have experienced that change in myself many times. The more we learn about our Savior and His gospel the more we will want to change to be like him. I am grateful for the vicarious Atonement Jesus Christ performed for all of us and for that reason I love Him.
ReplyDelete"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. "
ReplyDeleteIn the midst of the storms of our lives, the Saviors words, "Peace, be still" and "If thou art called to pass through tribulation....if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all."
When life's challenges seem overwhelming, isn't it wonderful to know He will speak peace to our soul? I know this to be true and have felt it many times in my life.