Missions are so humbling, I am learning so many things. I have a great testemony of trials.
This week our favorite priest in the ward was making fun of me for having a perfect life, and as I opened my mouth to disagree, I could not come up with any truthful reason why I should have any motive for complaint. Twas not until I arrived here, and began to work and really see the world with new eyes that I realized how abundantly blessed my life truly is. We grow up hearing how blessed we are, but it is not until we see others weaknesses and trials that we realize our trials are gifts. Brasil is not a third world country, but it is not a first world country. I have already seen many things that make me question why am I so blessed in the life I have and not these other children of God? Its very humbling, and being humbled is a very painful process.
In the spirit of thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season I can only look up to heaven and cry in thanks that I am who I am, that I have the life I have and finally understand that all we have is because of our Heavenly Father and not of ourselves. Because I have been given much I too must give.
Every day I gain more respect for my companion-who at first was tough love, there were many tears on my part, but as she opens up and I toughen up I am growing to really love her. Her parents are long since separated, her dad has cancer, her mom and brother are inactive and ask her every week what she is doing here and that she should come home. One of her best friends died in a car accident a few years ago. She is so strong, I admire her service and am thankful to have been born into the gospel into a family of loving members.
We have many investigators with potencial, many people who we can teach, people on the brink of baptism, but nothing yet. This is disapointing but I know we are here to learn to work and serve, become more Christlike and ultimately develop our own conversion. In this I know I am on the right path, I am being stretched and pulled and it is very painful, but I know with my whole heart that this is the right place for me and as Peter says the trial of our faith will be worth more than gold in the last day.
Friday night a man-Valter stopped us on our way home asking to be taught. We taught him saturday night, and he came to church yesterday. He is fantastic, I have learned to be weary to get my hopes up too high too fast, but I have faith nonetheless. Through him I am understanding the meaning of being an instrument in the Lords hand, this is not my work, this is my pleasure to serve.
I am very excited for Christmas-I am reading Jesus the Christ in preparation and learning so much about His life and our need for the atonement.
I am grateful for my amazing family, for all the friends that have supported me, for my blessed life, for the gospel and for our brother Jesus Christ.
Without the light of the gospel, all would be lost.
Please drink some Hot Chocolate for me, eat a candy cane and remember the things that matter most in life.
Sister Holmes
This week our favorite priest in the ward was making fun of me for having a perfect life, and as I opened my mouth to disagree, I could not come up with any truthful reason why I should have any motive for complaint. Twas not until I arrived here, and began to work and really see the world with new eyes that I realized how abundantly blessed my life truly is. We grow up hearing how blessed we are, but it is not until we see others weaknesses and trials that we realize our trials are gifts. Brasil is not a third world country, but it is not a first world country. I have already seen many things that make me question why am I so blessed in the life I have and not these other children of God? Its very humbling, and being humbled is a very painful process.
In the spirit of thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season I can only look up to heaven and cry in thanks that I am who I am, that I have the life I have and finally understand that all we have is because of our Heavenly Father and not of ourselves. Because I have been given much I too must give.
Every day I gain more respect for my companion-who at first was tough love, there were many tears on my part, but as she opens up and I toughen up I am growing to really love her. Her parents are long since separated, her dad has cancer, her mom and brother are inactive and ask her every week what she is doing here and that she should come home. One of her best friends died in a car accident a few years ago. She is so strong, I admire her service and am thankful to have been born into the gospel into a family of loving members.
We have many investigators with potencial, many people who we can teach, people on the brink of baptism, but nothing yet. This is disapointing but I know we are here to learn to work and serve, become more Christlike and ultimately develop our own conversion. In this I know I am on the right path, I am being stretched and pulled and it is very painful, but I know with my whole heart that this is the right place for me and as Peter says the trial of our faith will be worth more than gold in the last day.
Friday night a man-Valter stopped us on our way home asking to be taught. We taught him saturday night, and he came to church yesterday. He is fantastic, I have learned to be weary to get my hopes up too high too fast, but I have faith nonetheless. Through him I am understanding the meaning of being an instrument in the Lords hand, this is not my work, this is my pleasure to serve.
I am very excited for Christmas-I am reading Jesus the Christ in preparation and learning so much about His life and our need for the atonement.
I am grateful for my amazing family, for all the friends that have supported me, for my blessed life, for the gospel and for our brother Jesus Christ.
Without the light of the gospel, all would be lost.
Please drink some Hot Chocolate for me, eat a candy cane and remember the things that matter most in life.
Sister Holmes