So here we are. The last one. The final email.
I know all of you were expecting this next Wednesday. It's a long story, one I'll tell you in person soon enough. In the words of an original Disney Channel movie song, "oh, things change when you least expect them too" (bonus points for anyone that can tell me the name of the song). But really, you're not here for logistics. You're here for upliftment, excitement, entertainment and hopefully enjoyment, right? We shall see with the time provided what I can bring into your lives one last time as I write to you all under call of God from the land where that call has been manifested.
First and foremost, God lives.
Second, Jesus Christ is His Son, the Saviour and Redeemer who atoned for all humankind and through whom salvation cometh. Their divine love for us in incomparable in depth, breadth, and purity.
Third, The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and, linking arms with the Bible sets forth the governance of God's kingdom on Earth.
Fourth, Jospeh Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees in Palmyra, New York, and They through him, restored the priesthood power whereby the heavens were created and whereby the order of the universe is established.
Fifth, Russell M. Nelson holds the same priesthood authority that Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joseph Smith held, and he uses and delegates that authority for the "perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, [and] the edifying of the body of Christ," until we all come together in the mansions of our Father.
This is not all I know, but it forms the foundation for the testimony I have built. Building upon this foundation will allow anyone to withstand the "fiery darts of the adversary", especially when you build upon Jesus Christ, who is the "chief cornerstone".
Looking to the future, I wish to paint another picture in your minds. I feel the guidance of God becomes misconstrued at times and this week I had a image come to me that I wish to share.
Your life is a boat. You are the captain. When we began this mortal existence, we started with a small boat, probably a dingy. Your parents, already captains of bigger and more established boats offer you passage on the seas of life while you build a bigger boat. From time to time you venture off in your own vessel, but you never stray very far. As time goes on, you build your boat bit by bit, learning what keeps water out, what you do to stay afloat, and how to navigate. The day fatefully arrives when you venture off on your own. You hope you're ready for what's to come. You will need to make repairs in your vessel from time to time. You will need to correct your course. You will need to build and even rebuild as the sea wears you down. However, you don't know what adjustments need to be made until you get out on the water. You take a breath, and you cast off.
That's where I started a while ago. It happened some time between leaving for university and leaving for a mission. Now, I'm out on the waters of the world. Sometimes it's been smooth sailing, other times the waters were rough. In seeking guidance from God, I've learned two main things. First, I need to set my sails to catch His wind. There are places the Lord wants to take me and if my sails aren't aligned and prepared, I will miss the wind God sends to guide me. In fact, sometimes I may even feel the wind is going against me, and though I might feel angry at the wind pushing me back, when I turn and align myself with God, it will be smooth sailing once again. Second, I need to put forth my own effort. There are sometimes where I seem caught in the doldrums and all I can do is row. In those moments, sailors don't think that the wind has ceased or that wind no longer exist. They recognise that there are times when the wind doesn't blow. If you do nothing, the water will carry you every which way and your lose your course. So sometimes, in fact I think many times, we need to row in faith that the wind will come again. I know it will. I know He is there and always will be.
I've changed so much yet it's hard to explain. You'll we when I get home. Be patient with me. It will be an adventure getting to know you all again and seeing who've you become. This is a beautiful world and partly because you're in it. Thank you for loving, supporting, praying, and hoping for me. It worked. Don't stop :-)
I love you all. I love London. It will be hard to leave. It will be even harder to leave England. The hardest will be leaving the people. I love these people with all my heart. And so will I for the rest of my life and beyond. These two years have been some of the best of and for my life. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for me.
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him"
1 Corinthians 2:9
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