Small words, Huge lessons!

November 7, 2013

Small Words, HUGE Lessons!!

Most of you are probably thinking to yourselves that I'm just going to say I had another amazing week here at the MTC. If you are, you are SO RIGHT. Hahaha I never get sick of saying how incredibly awesome this place is. Sure, I can't wait to get out of here in 11 days, but there is so much to learn here and I love it.

Okay... What happened this week... Other than learning that there are basically no such things as verbs in my language (mind = blown) and something about demonstratives (I thought Halloween was like a week ago...), I learned how truly important it is that we consecrate these years to the Lord and His work. 

Have you ever thought about the difference between the words sacrifice and consecrate? 

I was studying this during personal study for most of the week and I learned so much. I would definitely recommend it as a study topic. What does the word sacrifice generally connote? Personally, it makes me think of leaving something behind; leaving something that you wish you didn't have to leave. I hear missionaries say so many times that they are "sacrificing these next two years" of their lives. 

Can I just take a moment to say that I am not sacrificing anything. 

Sure, I left behind family, friends, and schooling for two years so that I can serve the people of the Philippines. I chose this week not to sacrifice two years for my mission, but to consecrate them. To devote the next two years of my life to the Lord for the purpose of hastening the work of salvation. I am consecrating my life to the Lord and to the people of the Philippines. 

The best part of what I learned is that you don't even have to be on a mission to consecrate your time or a part of your life. You don't even have to be a Mormon. Any person who truly wants to find purpose in life, or simply get more out of their life, can consecrate a portion of their life to something - whether that is 4 years to go to college and prepare to make a living for a future family, or maybe it is consecrating your life to being a better parent to your children. I know that as we exercise our faith and devote our lives to a good cause, we will be blessed by God. I hope that makes sense...

One more thing I loved about this week is how much I have come to dislike the word "endure". 

I don't know why, but I think I am just focusing a lot on specific words lately. When I think of enduring, I think of going through tough times and trials just to get through them. Just trudging on through life. 

Friends and family! Can we please not just endure through life?! Have a good attitude! Smile! I know that as we do this, as we try to find the good things in life, we will turn our trials into learning experiences. Ether 12:27 - our weak things will become strong things. As we constantly strive to be happy and have a good attitude, we will not just endure through life, but we will prevail and triumph. I know this is true. Anyways... I just thought I would share a few little words that have changed my view on life.

That is about all the time that I get today... Thank you for everything! You guys are such great examples to me! Thank you ALL who wrote and sent their love to Sister Rimai. She is such a strong Sister and is doing very well. The trials that our district has been put through have been blessings for us. Our district is so much closer together and so much closer to the Lord.

Gihigugma kamo nako!

Kinsasingkasing,

Elder James Ryan Jacobs

P.S. OHMYGOSH!! ELDER L. TOM PERRY OF THE QUORUM OF THE 12 APOSTLES IS SPEAKING TO US NEXT TUESDAY!!!!! AHHHHHH!!! I'm stoked:)
P.P.S. Also, one of my roommates, Elder Ellis (New Zealand) split his pants and it was one of the funniest things I think I have ever witnessed.

P.P.P.S. Elder Archibald (Canada) says hello.

P.P.P.P.S. Love you all

Elder Jacobs and Friends!

And he still has a messy room!!!!