Patience is a virtue, right?
The hardest thing is to watch people reject the most precious thing God has to offer. It's hard to watch someone turn their back from the Gospel for something merely comfortable or familiar. Something I've had to learn while out here in the mission is that there is absolutely no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone. While that rings true, it's comforting to remember that because Jesus Christ already walked completely and utterly alone, we don't have to. (None Were With Him, Elder Holland)
We will never have to walk alone. This world is ugly, but isn't it beautiful?
I don't know how to describe this week. It was full of rejection and faith testers, but we've been trying to keep our heads high. I saw some crazy things this week, din.
Yesterday, Sister Estrella and I were on our way to an investigator's house, and when we got to the giant opening towards the house, there were about 30 men all gathered together in this giant circle, each holding money and chickens.
So background, real quick.. on my first few days in the mission field, I always saw men holding chickens everywhere they went. They held the chickens and they cleaned their feathers, and stretched out their legs and would polish their beaks. I thought it was weird, but thought, they just really love their chickens.
But now I know that they're only doing that so that their chickens are in fighting mode. (which is totally illegal by the way)
Anyway, so we saw the beginning, where people are betting on whose chicken will win, and prepping their chickens, and we just walked on through. But when we had to walk back through on our way back from the appointment, we saw the SAD aftermath. The men whose chickens had fought, were now h0lding their destroyed chickens by their feet as blood dripped everywhere. SADDEST thing in the world.
Another thing is that everywhere you go, you see little kids on the side of the street, without any clothes, covered from head to toe in dirt, just trying to find ways to eat. It really breaks your heart because you don't see that kind of thing in America.
The thing that brings me hope is that there will surely come a day when all tears of sorrow will be replaced with tears of gratitude. When all the wrong will be made right, when all broken hearts will be healed. When we will be able to rest from all of our labors, and find complete peace to our souls. That is the happy news. So when I see these sad scenes, when I see families torn and broken because of circumstances beyond their control, when I find beautiful families worried about the water their drinking, when I see hearts broken and tears fall, all I can really do is to share what I know. That's all any of us can really do. Lend them our love and care, and share this beautiful truth.
There was a quote I heard by a convert to the Church who said, "DI don't think these members really know what they have."
Do we REALLY know what we have? Are we aware that we hold in our hearts the only thing that can truly bring peace in this life? President Uchtdorf said something that to this day, I am still trying to grasp. He said, "We tread a path covered in diamonds, but we can scarcely distinguish them from ordinary pebbles."
Are we really aware of what we have? Or do we look at this gospel as merely pebbles on this path that we call life? We are treading on Diamonds. This Gospel is the greatest thing we will ever know, and I am so happy to be able to say with my whole heart that I know it is true. Yes, trials still pop up everywhere, and sorrows are still very real, but I find so much comfort in knowing that all wrongs and sorrows and pains will be made perfect one day.
As a representative of Jesus Christ, I know my Savior lives, and I know that He LOVES you so much. Take every opportunity to apply His Atonement to your life, not just for sins but for pains and sadness, too. I promise that He will hear your prayers and He will heal your heart.
I love you all.
Mahal Kita!
Sister Mosher
waiting for the computer shop to open so that we could email all of you
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