This week has been a little bit crazy and a lot of fun. On Monday my companion, Elder Roche, left me, and Elder Jones my new companion arrived. He is my first American companion so far, and it has been a lot of fun. We draw lots of attention on the streets, which is great for missionary work! We also have had a fun time working in the new area. We spent most of the week just getting Elder Jones a little familiar with the area and introducing him to some of the investigators and members.
I really liked that quote that you gave me Mom about receiving personal revelation from the scriptures. I think it's so true. One thing that my last companion shared with me once was about the liahona. He talked about how the writings on the liahona were changed from time to time according to their needs. He said that the very same thing happens with the Book of Mormon. You can read that same book one hundred times, and get something new from it every time. The verses in the Book never change, but through the spirit, we receive new light and understanding, and the verse does become a new verse for us. I love the Book of Mormon.
One thing that has happened this week that has stuck in my mind was with one of our investigator families, the Tabutol Family. We were at their house and I was talking with two of their daughters, and as we talked they said that they both wanted to be baptized in this church. My response was an enthusiastic, "Thats great! Why don't you come to church?" And they told me that they were just waiting for their mother to come to church and then they would go too. This example is the sad truth of life. Many times in the course of things, children have the righteous desire, but the parents are not always ready at the same time. So my plea to all the parents out there is to try and be better. I know you do everything that you can for your children and love them to death, but just strive to apply the atonement daily in your life. My plea to all those who are preparing to be parents in the coming years is this: Live your life in such a way right now, that when you are parents, you can tell stories from your childhood to inspire your children, instead of having to hide it from them. The preparation that you do now, will mean everything for your families in the coming years.
I know that Heavenly Father loves our families and wants them to be successful. But one of the greatest tragedies is when parents don't live up to the expectations for their families. Jacob Chapter 2 Verse 5 accurately explains the pain that will come into families when parents don't live up to their responsibilities. It is sure to follow. But for those who have not lived up to their responsibilities or may even feel that they cannot, Psalms 147:3-4 offers blessed reassurance. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names." Heavenly Father is there and he loves us. He knows you and your challenges, and he will help you live up to everything that is expected of you in life. Go to Him, receive His healing, and then leave everything in the past behind, and become a new person. I know it will happen for you, because it has happened for me.
I love you all!
Elder Childs
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| A Fishing Gun...We didn't use it, just took pictures with it. |
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| Santo Domingo! |
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