Tuesday, May 6, 2014

"I AM ISSUING A CHALLANGE..."



4/28/14

Hola Familia!!
The weeks are getting more full of miracles, and the time is just flying faster-It must be the Lord's work or something like that :) This past week was no exception. Prepared people are everywhere!! But I think one of the biggest lessons that I really have been learning is the importance of listening. Just listening, but more importantly, listening with love. Elder Holland promises us that if we listen with love we won't have to wonder what to say, it will be given to us.
This area is extremely different from where I have served, and a lot of the people we have the opportunity to teach come from backgrounds that I can't even imagine. I know that there is no way that I can really relate my experiences to theirs, but Jesus Christ can. There is a recently activated member in our ward who we decided we should teach about family history! As we began to talk about her family tree she said that she would never do the work for the 'woman that brought her into this world'. She had gone through a very traumatizing childhood and to imagine serving her mother was unbearable. Just to see the pain and anguish in this hermanas eyes as she reflected on what had happened, nearly broke my heart. We just sat and listened. And then we sat there for a while in silence. And then we began to talk, but I know that it wasn't Hermana Zabriskie or I speaking. We testified of the Atonement, and just how truly infinite it is, and that's about all that I remember. The path of forgiveness and healing is long and difficult, but nothing is impossible with the Lord.
Then just last night we were leaving a lesson with an incredible new investigator and just about to get into our car when Hermana Zabriskie saw a lonely guy sitting on a park bench a little ways off. His back was to us, but we felt like we should talk to him. As we got closer and walked in front, we saw that he had two big black eyes, blood shot, and a nose that was all stitched up and scabbing over. He looked so desperate. We just asked if we could sit down and we slowly began to talk. I was praying so hard in my heart that we would know what to say to help him, but then I just started to listen. He had been racing motorcycles and crashed with his friend. He survived but his friend died. He felt guilty, and didn't understand why he had to live. Again we had the opportunity to testify of the Atonement, but it was interesting as he took it differently. He said that he didn't want to be a hypocrite and just call out for God's help now, because once he got better, he would just go back to the same. He didn't want to abuse the gift and just pull God through it for nothing. But the thing is... the price has already been paid. He's already suffered it. We don't pull him through anything new. He already knows. And that is the best thing you could possibly do, is use it. He wants us to! He was still a little stubborn, but he slowly answered his own question as to why he was still here. He has the chance to use the Atonement, but not just use it... but to use it right; to truly use it to change his life. As we were leaving he said that he knew that God had sent us to him that day. He didn't know why he had felt the need to walk to the park that day, but he did. Then there we were just shortly after. I know that this is the work of a perfectly loving Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a full-time servant of the Lord. 

So as you know, June is fast approaching and my dear Mission President and his family are heading back to Utah! If there is one thing that President Pingree has drilled into our heads (aka taught us lovingly and through the spirit), it is the absolute necessity of the Atonement in every moment of our lives. Well, a few weeks ago he attended a Mission President seminar with Elder David A. Bednar and he gave them the following challenge...

1. Find a paperback copy of the Book of Mormon.

2. Read the book cover-to-cover and highlight any passage that helps you answer the following question: “How can I use the enabling and strengthening power of the Atonement?”

3. Write a one-page summary of what you learned.

They were promised that if they would do this, they would come to know the Savior better, learn to access added strength from the Atonement, and become more effective servants of Jesus Christ. In turn President Pingree gave this challenge to us, his missionaries, and to finish it before June 30, when they will be departing. I wish I could even express how much this challenge has truly opened my eyes to how great of a part the Atonement plays in everything!! Nephi is an incredible example of truly accessing this enabling power that the Lord has to offer us. Therefore... I would LOVE to invite EVERY single one of you to participate in this challenge as well, and to hold September 3 as a deadline. I know that as you do this, you will feel a greater abundance of strength from the Lord in every part of your life; school, work, family, or personal. What could be more important than understanding and applying the Atonement in our own lives and helping others do the same?

Well..... this is a long one... but if you get anything out of it, I hope you know that His arms of mercy are always there. I love you all so very very much and hope you have a wonderful week!! Replace fear with faith!

los quiero demasiado,
Hermana Draper
         

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