Wow! What a week! I feel like every week flies by so fast I
hardly know what happened. This week we actually did a lot of traveling. My
companion had to go to Lisbon for a few days to take care of legal documents
and then we had our zone conference on the other side of our mission. Zone
conference was great as usual. I got to see Sister Aiono and Sister Hansen and
some of the other missionaries I've come to know and love with all my heart. On
the hour and a half train ride with 8 other missionaries we decided to sing
hymns and other church songs to the other passengers. We said hello to everyone
and old ladies said we were so darn cute.
The old part of our area is fully of old portuguese houses
that are basically just built on top of each other and are only still standing
because of the other houses that are supporting them.
General conference was absolutely fantastic!! I loved the
first few speakers in the last session that spoke to members, non members,
recent converts, and investigators about the importance of the little things.
Many of the Apostles and members of the Seventy spoke about being good examples
and strengthening your testimony through daily scripture study as an individual
and a family, daily prayers, and keeping the Sabbath Day holy. These things are
so important!! I've come to learn on my mission that even the strongest member
can lose their testimony if they aren't faithfullly doing these little things.
And I've also learned that even the farthest gone sinner can be brought to
change their lives when introduced to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the
scriptures.
Another theme that I noticed in General Conference was the
call for more love and peace. We found this graffiti earlier this week and it
came to mind as I was listening to General Conference. This world is full of
anger, hurt and doubt. We find people on the road who tell us that there is no
hope for this world and we had better just turn around and go back home. In
response to those people I always ask if they feel like they have a personal
relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Nine times out of ten they say no.
The only hope in this world comes through Jesus Christ and
faith on him. There is a scripture in John 16:33 that says the following:
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world.
There are a couple of parts in this scripture that were
shared with me one time. The first part is that "ye might have
peace." If you don't have peace right now, have hope that it will come.
Jesus said it was possible and he can't lie ;) The next part is "In the
world ye shall have tribulation". So just in case you haven't noticed...
This life is hard. It kinda sucks sometimes. But tribulation is here for a
reason and God prepared a way for us to have good cheer DURING our
tribulations. The next part is the last phrase. Jesus Christ descended below
all so that we can be lifted up through his grace. So choose to be happy and
you'll find that through Christ and a personal relationship to God you'll find
the hope that you need.
Love you guys lots :)
Sister Ellsworth
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