This week we had the privilege of having a Mission Tour Conference with Elder and Sister Gong. Elder Gong is a member of the Asia Area Presidency. He's pretty awesome!
On Wednesday we went to Asoke for a night devotional. We talked about the Sacrament and how important it is. Something I didn't realize is that is the most important ordinance we can do. It is the only ordinance that we do for ourselves more than once in this life, and it happens every single week. As we take the sacrament, something they told us we should do is to think about our personal relationship with the Savior. They shared this scripture in 3 Nephi 11:13-15 :
14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.
15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.
I was deeply impressed by this image of Christ. I felt the Spirit bear witness to me that He was slain for the sins of the world, and for me individually. He knows me, and He has paid the price for me, because He knew that I was worth it. As we approach the sacrament, we should always be more reverent in respects to His sacrifice. As I took the Sacrament yesterday, I felt so much peace in knowing that I can be forgiven of my sins and shortcomings. I had a personal "one on one" interview with Him as I tried to focus on what I can try to do better. I also really felt His help through His Atonement this week. Sometimes I just feel tired and weak, but then I pray and somehow I am given the strength to keep going. I know that He has paid the price for us.
Something else I gained a stronger witness of is the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. I felt the Spirit so strongly on Thursday as we went to Chaengwattana for the second session of Mission Tour. We got up at 4:30 am to get there on time and not once did I feel tired. I felt a constant stream of the Spirit the entire time - a constant burning within my chest that I knew came from being instructed from those chosen by God. We talked about how important these things are to us. I know that Joseph Smith did see God and Jesus Christ and that he is the first prophet of this dispensation. The Spirit bore witness to me that it is true. These things DID HAPPEN. It isn't just a story, but it is true.
I learned something new about my calling as a missionary too! I learned that all things that we teach have the end goal of making families happy in their homes. Every single commandment we teach, every single doctrine - that is what it leads to: Strong families. That is God's plan - for us to return to His presence with experience, with eternal families, and with the ability to become like Him. We didn't just come here to simply return again the same person. If that was the case, we could have just never left in the first place. But this is God's plan:
Moses 1:39 "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."
I know that families can be together forever!
As I pondered these things, I realized that there is always more that we can do to strengthen our testimonies. I was brought to the attention to some deficiencies in my testimony. I felt a prompting that I needed to write my testimony daily. I had an unused journal, so I started that night in writing how I felt and just a testimony of the things that I learned and of the things the Spirit taught me. I have done it every day since then, and I have loved it. It helps me look for the ways my testimony is strengthened each day, and helps me realize God's hand in all things. Even if it is something small like feeling the Spirit work through me in teaching, or if it is like learning something new about the Atonement, it is all important. I suggest it to anyone that feels like they need a little boost in testimony!
This week is transfers - it will be my last one! We should be getting the call either today or tomorrow... I guess we will see what happens and where I will be this time next week! :)
Love you all!
Sister Norrell
PICTURES:
All the girls swooning over Brother O (from last week)
Me and Sister Mamea when we went traveling last P-day!
More pictures of old Buddhist Temples! In Ayuttaya.
We were so far away you could barely see us..
Me and my awesome companion!
More old wats.
We got to see and feed an Elephant!
A lot of the members here call me "Snow" so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a picture with one of my creepy dwarfs!
The aunt and uncle of one member here love the missionaries! (They themselves aren't members, but they love feeding us!) They took us out for pizza and then out for dessert. I got a crepe cake of course! Delicious!
No comments:
Post a Comment