Week 83

Hello family and friends,

Today we are a little heavy on reports, but I am so happy that I had the chance to receive all of your wonderful emails! I love receiving your words of encouragement and know that you are all  doing so well. I hear that there is a lot of snow! That is so different as now it is getting so hot here! It is about 40 degrees Celsius(104 F.) all the time! I miss the snow! I especially miss snowboarding with my little brothers! Next season Jacob and Kaden... But in truth I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the whole world. 

On Wednesday we watched a broadcast for all the missionaries in the whole world. It gave me power to think that I was singing and gathering with 75,000+ missionaries all singing Called to serve in all different places in the world from Hawaii to Finland. It makes me feel overjoyed to be apart of a noble army of God. Many apostles and general authorities spoke and they even had a part of it feature missionaries from the Ogden Utah mission! It was a joyful experience.

The Lord is blessing us. I am starting to just love the people here. I feel right at home in the ward here and the members are so strong. We have been blessed with much support from them. We have received many referrals and also had members willing to be brave and share their testimonies along side ours as we have helped others come unto the light of the gospel. It has softened many hearts.

We also have had people put in our path as we have opened our mouths.

Being a missionary is so amazing. It is definitely a marvelous work and a wonder. I wonder all the time what I am going to say next and then bam!, I just know. I am so weak and young and inadequate, I can speak the language functionally, but sometimes I still am reminded I am not a native.  I have never experienced what most of these people are going through or feeling... But as I have been humble enough to realize my weaknesses and had faith that despite them, I can succeed if lay aside myself and let Him take me by the hand and make me equal to every task He gives me.

I encourage you all, to continue to do what you are already doing, lift others up, be an example. forgive and see beyond others weaknesses. Apply the Atonement everyday, whether if you made a mistake that needs erasing or need comfort to make it to tomorrow. I am learning that the Atonement is something intended for us to use generously because it never runs out-- ever! 

I have been pondering these verses lately :

28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 29 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.

 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

As we take His yoke upon us, we will find rest to our souls. That yoke require sacrifice but the reward is bliss.

I love you all so much! I pray for you always

tandaan niyo mahal kita!

ELDER MURDOCK