Well today is my last P-Day in Agua Verde. On Monday I will be going to my new area. Sad to know that it will probably be my last area. I feel that Agua Verde was the area that I grew the most, so it will be sad to say goodbye to the members and investigators, but super stoked to get back to the field and give these last four months everything I have. I still have a lot that I could learn. I love the mission.
This week was super awesome. Sunday-Tuesday we had a ton of missionaries who slept at our house because they had some interviews and stuff like that.
We had a lot of appointments with the members this week which was good. It truly makes a difference when missionaries and members work together.
On Wednesday we made some dinner at Heider´s house. On Thursday Rhuan made us some funeral potatoes! The first time having them in almost two years, so it was pretty good. Today we will have lunch and dinner with some members. I have pictures of all these nights, but I left my camera at the house, so I will have to send them next week.
Well this week we were able to get out of the office and proselyte which is always a blessing. Lots of street contacting and doors shut in our faces, but that´s okay. We were happy knowing that we were doing exactly what the Lord wanted us to do. Even in rejection, we find satisfaction. Our purpose is to Invite other to come unto Christ. And as we do our purpose, we will be happy no matter the outcome.
However, we were able to find one woman who´s name is Patricia. We briefly talked about the restoration, and marked to go back tonight. The spirit was strong as we testified of the story of Joseph Smith. I felt that my testimony of the gospel was reconfirmed. Man the spirit is incredible!
This week I read a story that I really liked and want to share it with you all. It is kind of long, but it teaches something very important.
There once was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Saviour appeared to him.
The Lord told him He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, and for many days he toiled from sunup to sundown; his shoulder set squarely against the cold massive surface of the rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling his whole day had been spent in vain.
Seeing that the man showed signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture - placing thoughts in the man's mind, such as ``Why kill yourself over this?, you're never going to move it!'' or ``Boy, you've been at it a long time and you haven't even scratched the surface!'' etc. giving the man the impression the task was impossible and the man was an unworthy servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone.
These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he started to ease up in his efforts. ``Why kill myself?'' he thought. ``I'll just put in my time putting forth just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough.'' And this he did or at least planned on doing until, one day, he decided to take his troubles to the Lord.
``Lord,'' he said, ``I have labored hard and long in Your service, putting forth all my strength to do that which You have asked of me. Yet after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?''
To this the Lord responded compassionately, ``My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you to push against the rock with all your strength and that you have done. But never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. At least not by yourself. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed, ready to quit. But is this really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled; your back sinewed and brown. Your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have. Yet still, you haven't succeeded in moving the rock; and you come to Me now with a heavy heart and your strength spent. I, my friend will move the rock. Your calling was to be obedient and push, and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom, and this you have done.'
'
It also makes me think of the scirpture in Isaiah 55:8
8 ¶ For my thoughts are not your thoug
The Lord´s vision is different than ours. His will is different than ours. He knows our potential, and if we turn to him, he will help us reach that potential through the Atonement. Sometimes we are asked to do things that we don´t completely understand, and we may not have motivation to do it. But we simply have to just because the Lord asks us. It is called obedience. I know that we receive blessings when we are obedient.
Love you all so much! Talk to you next week! I´ll send lots of pictures.
Elder Nydegger
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