dear family - today is the COLDEST 24th of march that belgium has seen since the year 1879. that is fact. i saw it in the paper. wow. let me tell you what. its pretty cold. people in belgium are a little peeved about the weather lately. but i don't see why because its always cold here. so many people we contact on the street complain about the weather. one lady we talked to said..."if God exists he would give us better weather". nou zeg. that comment was so intriguing to me. I am grateful that our loving Heavenly Father allows such opposition as weather. we learn so much from it. i frequently find myself complaining about it too. why is it such a matter of conversation anyway?

 

11 For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

 

for as much as i am peeved with the weather, when i stop for a second and think about it, i am very grateful. that is life. what a brilliant reflection we can learn from. the opposition adds richness, depth and beauty that we would simple not understand nor enjoy in a world of only sunshine and tulips. good gravy.

 

as i approach the end of my mission (the thought of which is ever looming above my head...literally...we made a paperchain) i am led to reflect on what i have learned. i immediately panic...have i learned enough!??!?! nooooo!!!!! not yet!!!! i have so many faults and shortcomings that are just not quite ironed out!!!!! haha...such thoughts as these are ever present in my mind. obviously such chaos leads nowhere fast. i stopped and said i would not think of this anymore. i realized that MY ENTIRE LIFE will be this way. that is okay. i have learned quite a bit and i am planning on learning quite a bit more in these next eight weeks. why not, eh?

 

to conclude this existential rant of mine i will end with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. april showers by...???

 

life is not a highway strewn with flowers

still it holds a goodly share of bliss

when the sun gives way to april showers

here's a thought that you should never miss

though april showers may come your way

they bring the flowers that bloom in may

and if its raining have no regrets

because it isnt raining rain you know

its raining violets

 

yes. that is about it. this week was crazy. as usual. i am very grateful for this gospel. the basic basic basics are everything we need to have a fullfiling and enjoyable life. truly. i am grateful for you all and your unending love and patience and kindness to me. you are a great example to me of WALKING in ways of righteousness. for realsssss. i hope you all have a wonderful Easter! I am grateful that regardless of the weather - the light of His love can always be with us to give us the comfort we really seek. i know this is true. I have consistenly felt the love of my Savior throughout my life. He lives!

 

"i am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" - john 10:10

 

i know this is true if we seek it. lets use our blessed gift of agency to choose happiness and joy. :) hallelujah!

I LOVE YOU ALL SO DEARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

loves - z. katelyn marie stout