This week has been interesting. We see many little sun faces around El Paso, on doors, houses, and fences, but this one stood out:
His eyebrows seem to express, "The missionaries, huh? We haven't seen missionaries around here for years. Back in my day, young whippersnappers like yourselves would be gallivantin' off like some hooligans giving the town sheriff what-for..." in an old, raspy voice. :)
We also found that the Spirit of Christmas has persisted here in the Sun City:
:) Ah, festivities.
On a more serious note, this week has not been an easy one. I have learned that, and I believe I will continue to learn it throughout my time here as the Lord's representative.
On Friday, our District Leader played a talk by Jeffery R. Holland called "Missionary Work and the Atonement". One of the most powerful quotes that stood out to me was this one: "I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?"
Search it, it's way more powerful when he says it. But that is so true. Our Savior is a hard worker. Even after performing the Atonement - the single most hardest thing anyone had ever done or would ever have to do - He wasn't done. Today, He works at the Head of this Church, giving guidance through revelation to the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and the other apostles. He works closely with Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost, to bring people to the knowledge of the truth. And by the "knowledge of the truth," I mean to a realization of "What do you even think you're doing?! Get back on track! Here is the path, don't walk on the grass! Don't you know that God is your Father and He loves you?! Can't you see how simple it is if we just do our part?! Just Come unto Him! That's all it takes! It's not that hard! JUST DO IT!!!!"
... and if you are struggling to do it, because you feel that you're not worthy, that it's not worth it, or that you could never live with the shame, know that that is Satan, tugging on your neck with his pathetic string of yarn! He's the Father of all Yarns, anyways, isn't he? Don't listen to him! He literally is just trying to make you "miserable, like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27)
I love you guys. You are my family, my brothers and sisters. God has a plan for each of you; it is called the Plan of Happiness, not the Plan to punish the Wicked. True Joy, True Happiness, comes only in and through Jesus Christ. Of this I testify.
I love you all sincerely,
Hermana Smurthwaite
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