God is always on our side

Hey there Everybody! Hope everyone is doing well.

So this week has been a pretty good one for me.  We have have been seeing a lot of success in finding new people to teach which is great!  One thing though that I have noticed this week, for whatever reason, I have found myself getting a little bit more frustrated with those people who don't want to hear what we have to say, or say that they are good with what they have and they don't want to change.  I find myself wanting to reply, "Did you not just hear what I said? I am here taking time out of my personal life to walk down streets knocking on random doors talking to strangers to bring you this wonderful message about Jesus Christ, and Families, and how you can return to live with him.  This isn't just a suggestion of something that might help your life, or might help you to have more happiness.  This is Jesus Christ's church, His, and through these teachings and ordinances are the ONLY way that you can return to live with Him and those you love!" It is really disheartening to see these children of God, with so much potential turn down the gospel and at times even laugh at what it is to offer.  

It is during these moments though that I have to remind myself of the true reason I am here.  I am not here to convince people to join the church or change their lives.  God gave each of us our agency, and what a wonderful gift that can be when we use it do choose the right.  I have to remember that my purpose as a missionary is to carry the message of the restored gospel and to invite the spirit to touch them. After that though it is up to them to decide whether or not they are going to open their hearts to that spirit and the message we bring.  

Even though I have these rough moments, what makes it all worth it are those moments when we talk with someone and we can feel the spirit and we can tell that it touched their hearts and they allow us to come back and teach them.  Each time I see someone change a little bit more because of the gospel I am reassured that every time I get turned down it is worth it because there are people out there that are waiting and hoping for the message that we bring. Even though I get frustrated at times I find so much joy in the work I am doing.

So this week I have been preparing for interviews with the President.  We were asked to read from Romans 8:30-31, I have thrown in verse 28 though because I love that one too:

 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

I especially love verse 31 and how it applies to how I have been feeling this week.  I find myself thinking about this scripture often and it never ceases to bring me comfort.  God is always on our side when we are doing His work and His will.  He is always there cheering us on and giving us the strength we need to carry on.  This life is full of difficulties and disappointments and at times giving up seems like a pretty nice idea.  Sometimes it is easy to think that it is just us facing this huge army and that there is no way that we can win.  When I read this scripture though I can see myself on the battlefield by myself but then all of a sudden there are thousands of people surrounding me.  I remember that God and His angels are with us everyday ready to step up and help us to accomplish what we can't on our own.  With God on our side how can we lose?  I know that with Him all things are possible. I have seen this over and over again in my own life as I have sought to follow Him and do His will.  I also know that this is the case for each one of us.  So whenever you are feeling down or feeling like life might just be a little too much to bear, remeber this scripture and remember that God is there!

I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week!

Love,