Week 24 - How great is my calling!

Feb. 13th, 2017

This week has been one of the best weeks this transfer! Its will be pretty interesting as in mission conference we were asked to start singing in our lessons! WHAT? But it has totally brought the spirit into our lesson so that was pretty awesome to feel. As far as the snow it is all completely melted! Its crazy.. I forgot what the ground looked like to be honest! 

Two weeks ago Elder Shoemaker and I decided that we were going to go into our primary classes and ask them to pray for missionary experiences! And this week was blessed tremendously because of this! we have been able to meet with 4 more people that are interested in investigating the church now! Its amazing and comforting to see all these things paying off after these 6 months! Its sad that i will probably be transferred this week! so next time you hear from me it will be with a new companion and from a different part of the mission! I am willing and ready to go and be whatever the Lord needs me to be! 

My spiritual thought for the week has been revolving around what it means to be cleansed from sin. It never occurred to me that we can't actually receive a remission of our sins until after we are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! It then dawned on me very clearly why it is soo important to bring others into the first ordinances of the gospel! 

It then brings to my mind the scriptures in Alma 26: 27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success. 

28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.

29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

I just love the determination that they had. It is because they understood what it means for these people! and what a privilege it is for myself to be allowed the opportunity to teach others about this special and sacred message!

I sure do love being a missionary :)

Keep Smiling!

Love Elder Gerrard