Run with Patience the Race that is set before us

Hi Everyone,                                                                                               Feb. 9, 2015

Wow what a absolutely crazy week. A small overview: Tues Zone Meeting, Wednesday exchanges for our baptismal interview, Thursday exchanges with Elder Marks because the leaders had a meeting in Taipei, Friday in Toufen on exchanges, and then Saturday finally back in our area. A little nuts.

The baptism Day~

 The greatest part this week was on Thursday! J got baptized!!! It was so great! He was so happy and the service went really well I thought. Once again the water was freezing but he also said afterward that he too had that warm feeling. The spirit of God is a great feeling and very powerful.I was worried that we wouldn't get a big turnout because it was on a Thursday but that wasn't the case. We had a great turnout and so many people are there to support him. Also this Sunday W received the holy priesthood and then J got the Gift of the Holy Ghost. So Sunday was of course a spiritual feast.

This week I had a thought, that being on a mission is much like a child learning to walk. At the beginning, you fall, a lot. As the parent you have to help them stand and point them in the right direction, but eventually you have to let them go and learn. However even though you let go, you don't leave them, you stay by their side. Each step is a step of faith. Learning to trust yourself that you can do this. As the parent continues to help them, eventually the can walk and then run. I love in Hebrews 12:1 it says: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," I love that, run with patience the race that is set before us. Every time we teach, contact, or open our mouths we are taking that step. If we let Christ lift and guide us, he can help us run this race. He will like a parent lift us above our human weakness. Even if we can't speak the language, teach like a pro, or we aren't a scriptorian. As long as we try our best he makes up the rest. This mission has helped me learn more about myself than anything else. I feel so blessed that I have this opportunity to serve Christ. And run my race.

Confirmed and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Port was always Bren's protector!

God has allowed me to see so many great miracles so far and I am so thankful to have all of these experiences which will really be life changing. It surely is the best 2 years and it also comes with a great price. But it is all worth it. I love you all and hope that everyone has a great valentines day.

Hope that everyone gets some chocolate and a kiss, except Brenna. Don't even think about it. I love you all! Have a great week!