greetings on this blustery fall day. technically its not fall yet, but i can feel it, i can see it and i believe its fall. it came suddenly - but i welcome it gladly. along with the farmers who are beginning their harvest, we are seeing a different harvest in the mission field. there are TRULY souls who are ready and are making the steps to enter the waters of baptism. we are on the brink of something great. no announcements yet, maar - we zijn er bijna!
lets get down to the nitty gritty:
funny/slightly interesting things that happened this week include but are not limited to -
- joyfully rejoicing after a great lesson and stepping in dog poop
- saw a little girl watching the popular kids show "arthur" in arabic. it is great.
- a strange man coming up to us to ask directions, turns out he is scottish and slightly crazy, but hilarious. had the funniest conversation ever. he began with Andy Murray (a famous tennis player from scotland) and ended up talking about believing everything he sees on BBC. it was a jovial exchange and i hope to run into him again.
alas - this week i have learned many things. in fact, a whole lot of things.
firstly - i learned once again how little i actually know, but that i know enough. i know enough to continue every day doing what i know to be right and trying to change what i know isn't. i also came to the conclusion that a lot of people subconsciously "protect" themselves from their fears with a shield of unkindness, hate or anger. but really - they are not like that at all. absolutely not. and i realized the moments that i react with frustration are also a protection and i realized....i want my protection in life to be kindness. sincere kindness. i have a feeling that it will do a lot more good. this was my thought - and now this week i will really try and make the plans to apply this in my life.
among other things i learned more about the infinite goodness and mercy of our Heavenly Father. He desires that we are successful. that we are happy. that we come off conqueror. He has provided every way POSSIBLE for us to do this, while still retaining our agency. its quite an impressive feat if you stop and take a look. everywhere i turn i see how He has made yet another way open for me to choose the right. to choose faith. to choose victory . to choose redemption. everywhere!!!! seriously. i love that when we choose to strengthen our faith - we simultaneously strengthen and develop our charity, hope, patience, obedience, diligence, kindness, virtue, gratitude, understanding, knowledge, etc. i learned that sometimes progress comes in just a thought, or a word, or a smile. WE ARE NOT ALONE. we need not carry our pain and sorrow by ourselves.
"come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and i shall give you rest. take my yoke upon you and learn of me. for i am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (matt 11:28-30 i believe)
he is inviting us to go to Him in that moment of pain. he will help us - if we take HIS yoke upon us - by living the gospel - we will find REST. oh its just so brilliant!!! so absolutely perfect. i love it. i will tell you what - its true. so undeniably true. tried and true. even down to the smallest thing. the smallest pain or worry or concern. He understands. in that moment - we must only look to him, and live. "look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not" - its just a matter of our desire.
well - the reason i share these thoughts with you today is because this is what i wish to express to the people i teach, and myself every day. every single day. if its important for them, its important for us! i love how much hope we have in this life. it is so beautiful and necessary.
i love you all! thank you for your prayers and love :)
- zuster katelyn marie stout
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