Well, I am not in Carcar anymore! I've been transferred! I am here in Kamputhaw in the city right next to the temple and I LOVE it. It's very city-like here in the city!! haha
The work is different in the city, but I am so excited to work together with E. Gama and find, teach, and baptize those that Are seeking a better life!
I love working here in Kamputhaw because it is so close to the Mission Offices so we get to work more closely with them! I am looking forward to getting to know the office staff a little bit more during these next few transfers!
Another plus of being here in the city... Every day, except Sunday, we have gotten up at 5:10 to play basketball with the assistants and some others at the temple complex basketball court. So awesome!
We had MLC yesterday and so all of the Zone Leaders got up super early and played basketball. It was so fun. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to make and develop friendships here on the mission. There is a special bond between missionaries in a mission that is just not found anywhere else in the world. At least, not between young men ages 18-25... I want to bear my testimony that, although we are young in age and appearance, I know that we have been set apart as missionaries of Jesus Christ. We are His.
I want to share two things on this subject. The first of which is something called, My Missionary Commission - written by Elder Bruce R. McConkie. It is as follows:
We had MLC yesterday and so all of the Zone Leaders got up super early and played basketball. It was so fun. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to make and develop friendships here on the mission. There is a special bond between missionaries in a mission that is just not found anywhere else in the world. At least, not between young men ages 18-25... I want to bear my testimony that, although we are young in age and appearance, I know that we have been set apart as missionaries of Jesus Christ. We are His.
"I am called of God; my authority is above that of the Kings of the earth. By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him. To stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts, my words are His words, and my doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants done; to say what He wants said, to be a modern living witness in word and deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous Latter-day work. How great is my calling!"
Next time you see a pair of missionaries walking down the street with a black name tag greeting everyone they come into contact with, please remember that THIS is what they were called to do.
Let's understand what our purpose in this life is. To become. To become what Christ would have us become. If we need clarification on that, we can read part of His beautifully preached, "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew 5:48
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
I hope we can understand that this is all made possible to us by a loving Father who, if we allow, guides us every day of our lives. I read a new favorite quote by Elder Bednar yesterday. I want to share it in closing:
"The issue is not going to church; rather, the issue is worshipping and renewing covenants as we attend church. The issue is not going to or through the temple; rather, the issue is having in our hearts the spirit, the covenants, and the ordinances of the Lord’s house. The issue is not going on a mission; rather, the issue is becoming a missionary and serving throughout our entire life with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. "
"The issue is not going to church; rather, the issue is worshipping and renewing covenants as we attend church. The issue is not going to or through the temple; rather, the issue is having in our hearts the spirit, the covenants, and the ordinances of the Lord’s house. The issue is not going on a mission; rather, the issue is becoming a missionary and serving throughout our entire life with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. "
That's why I'm here. I am trying every day to become better through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I hope we all are.
I love all of you. I am so grateful for each and every one of you that read this. I hope, after today, we understand just a little bit more of who we are as Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We love you and want to help you become what Christ sees in you; or rather, what He sees in all of us :)
I love all of you. I am so grateful for each and every one of you that read this. I hope, after today, we understand just a little bit more of who we are as Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We love you and want to help you become what Christ sees in you; or rather, what He sees in all of us :)
Love you!
Elder James Ryan Jacobs
NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
