Hello all!!
I AM BEING TRANSFERRED! Ladies and gentlemen, my time here in Pardo has drawn to an end!
I love these people. Both the members and the investigators here in Pardo have truly become my family. I love them all so much.
But…….Duty calls! I have been transferred to Siaton, Negros!!
For those that – for some reason – aren’t perfectly familiar with every city and area here in the Philippines, Siaton is down on the island of Negros (I am on Cebu Island now). It is almost the farthest area that I could go to in my mission. Second farthest to be exact.
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| I will be at the southernmost tip of Negros! |
To be honest, I thought President Schmutz and I got along great and that he kinda liked me.
And what’s more!!! I have been called as a trainer….
I just finished being trained this week. Every missionary is “trained” for the first 12 weeks of his or her mission). Uhh…. well…….Okay?!?!?! This is going to be quite the experience.
But, I do want to take a little moment to share something.
As most of you may know, a lot of my studies lately have been centered around the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I just want to share maybe one side of the Atonement that you may not have thought too much about.
Yes, the Atonement was given to us in order to allow us to be forgiven from our sins and to become like Jesus Christ; however, sometimes we forget about the enabling power – sometimes called Grace – that we are able to receive through the Atonement.
I know that I have no chance to truly fulfill this calling as "Trainer" ON MY OWN. But, with the added measure of strength and power from my Savior, Jesus Christ, I know I can do it.
This concept is all over the scriptures. A few examples are found in 1 Nephi 7:17, Mosiah 9:17, 2 Nephi 2:14, Mosiah 24:14-15, among lots of others. We see here that all of these examples prayed and asked for THE STRENGTH to overcome their trials, not that their trials be taken from them. Same with us. Life is hard. I get that, trust me.
We will be praying in vain if our prayer is that our trials will be TAKEN AWAY. It will not happen. But what can happen, through the wonderful miracle of the Atonement, is that we can receive strength and power to overcome our trials and to be able to bear all things. I know this is true. I have no doubt in my heart that I will be able to fulfill my calling for these next 6 weeks. Not because of my own power or strength, because I truly am nothing. But with the help of my Savior and Redeemer, I know I can do this.
I love you all so much. I hope that something I share on this blog will cause you to think and ask questions.
If you have questions about anything email my mom at billjacobs5@gmail.com and she will forward them to me and we will get them answered!!
I hope that you feel something there inside your own heart. Maybe you are feeling it now, because I sure do as I’m writing this. It’s called the Holy Ghost and its purpose is to testify of the truth. I know that what I have shared is true. I know that, if you let it, your lives can be changed for the better. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!
Love,
Elder James Ryan Jacobs
P.S. Good luck to Elder Miyahara and Sister Engle!!! They go into the MTC on Wednesday!!!! AHHHHH
