So we
got the call last night...it was really weird getting the last transfer call of
your mission...but I have been transferred! I will be getting my last companion
and area tomorrow! Wow the mission passes by so fast...
This last week was
crazy! Not a ton happened! New Year’s here is like our 4th of July, and
every other holiday put together in one night...man they went nuts. We had
nothing to do so we got some bricks on our deck, a grill and we had a bbq. It
was supper cool. (I had a ton of pictures but I got a virus on my card and it
deleted everything...) But the bbq was great! And then the next day I got a 3
day flu with a super bad fever! (Yes I’m ok mom and doing great now. :)
I’m so grateful for
all that has happened and all that I have learned while here in Vida Nova! It
has been a great 3 transfers and I’m sad to leave but ready for what the lord
has in store!
I was reading in 2
Nephi 2 this week and I was touched by a few scriptures... 2 Nevertheless,
Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and
he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
3 Wherefore, thy
soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and
thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou
art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast
beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men.
4 And thou hast
beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto
whom he shall minister in the flesh;
11 For it must
needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so...,
righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither
holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be
a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as
dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness
nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
When I read that I was
so touched knowing that our afflictions are consecrated. Just as Paul as taught
that we glory in our tribulations. I’m so grateful that the Lord has allowed me
to suffer, be tried, persecuted and to feel alone. It has been a privilege, so
that I would be able to come unto Him and find peace and joy in His atonement. I’m
so grateful for trials and temptations for they help us to become witnesses of
His merits, mercy and grace. I know that He lives and loves us enough to let us
suffer. No person in their right mind would let someone purposely suffer,
unless they could see who we can become through our sufferings! I know that we
become special witnesses of him not through our success alone, but how we successfully
overcome the adversary and our testimonies become strengthened in Him. I know
He lives, and it is a privilege to suffer to come to know Him!
Love you all and I
pray and hope you have a wonderful year!
Elder Loveless