"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life!" (John 4:14). Jesus Christ has promised us everlasting life. Everlasting knowledge, everlasting love, everlasting peace. All we need to do is to partake of it.
The joy of partaking continually is that we have something to continually partake of. There is no end to our gospel knowledge, no end to our conversion, no end to our trials, and no end to our joy. But there is an end to death and sin, and it is through Christ that we find this. I know that He is there. That He lives. That He loves us. I have seen that so plainly here in British Columbia and even throughout my pre-mission life. And I am so deeply grateful for Him and His atoning sacrifice. I am grateful that right now, I have an opportunity to help others to feel of His love and His redemptive power.
This week, I had the opportunity to teach many people of this. A family, the Littles, were found this week and came to church. The mom is really grateful for the opportunity she has to come to church and for her kids to be involved in it. And, as a side-bonus, the little boy that was baptized recently - Leslie - is best friends with one of the new investigator kids! God's hand is in this Work!!!
Elder Stirland and I were able to go to a special meeting out in Richmond this week and get reunited with some old friends around the mission. I got to see Elder Murray and Elder Petersen again, who were in my zone back in Burnaby!!! Blast to the past! At this meeting in Richmond, I was able to speak about "pressing forward amidst trials on your mission", and it was incredible to be able to teach and learn by the power of the Spirit. I summed it up into five points to face trials with confidence and joy. First: to pray fervently and secure your place, second: strengthen your testimony of the plan of happiness and the doctrine of the role of trials in that plan, third: seek the word of God (scriptures, a priesthood blessing, words of leaders around you) and then apply what you learn, fourth: lose yourself in the service of others, and work harder than you ever have, and fifth: have confidence in your call as a missionary. KNOW that you are called of God. And if you aren't a missionary, KNOW that you are a child of God. Doing these five things will ensure that you can rely on the Savior during times of need. And as you do, He will support you. I have seen that vividly in action out here, and am grateful for the lessons I have learned. Just know that our Heavenly Father loves you!
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stated beautifully in this last general conference. "The first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind and strength--that's the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life" (Jeffrey R. Holland, "Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You"). Let's all press forward a little better this week and find ways to strengthen our brethren! He will bless us as we do. Because He loves us more than we can ever know.
Have a great week!
Elder Stock
Me and Elder Murray. He's in Kelowna YSA right now...I picked him up on his first day in the field...Whoa!!!
The Georgia Strait coming back to Nanaimo...
Elder Stirland and I's family picture wall. The Nanaimo zone is where it's at!!!
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