The New Area

So I love my new area. I really love my new area a lot. I love being in the city, we talk to so many people everyday. The work is non-stop. I have to be careful to not over exert myself. I'm living the mission dream right now. I have progressed so much just in the past few months. It's so wonderful how God works and how he helps us grow in life. About a month ago I was struggling pretty hard. The Lord needed me to learn how to rely on Him and I still need to rely on Him and I'm still learning how. But once I made the choice that I would be submissive and I would do what the Lord asked He really gave me opportunities to exercise my faith.

This area is thriving with people to teach and work to do. we don't even have time to think. We literally are running from one appointment to another. Exact obedience is a blessing. Not just being obedient because I don't want to get in trouble but exact obedience because I love my Father in Heaven.

One thing that I have come to love and understand more fully here on my mission is; the Gift of Free Agency. We are given the ability to freely choose for our self in this life. What wonderful opportunities we are given to learn and grow and progress in this life. However, sometimes the choices of others bring grief and sorrow in this life. But that's why we have a Savior. Through Christ we can be free of the feelings of guilt and shame and our pains and sorrows can be washed away. In order for us to be forgiven we must forgive others. Here is a talk that I want you to read.

http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/what-manner-of-men-and-women-ought-ye-to-be?lang=eng

My companion taught me how to apply the doctrines that we learn here. To motivate others we need to praise their righteous attributes. Elder Jensen from the 70 told us something once. "Our faith will never over-ride some one's free agency." People are going to be free to choose no matter how much Faith we have.

Following the prophets is real. When the things we learn are applied, when we are submissive to what the Lord teaches us, things will happen.


Love
Elder Blandon