First of all, I am so sorry! I feel like since I have gotten here to Carcar,
I have had such a short amount of time to email and I've just been able to email my mom a few short sentences!
I will do my best to get better at that :) I am still doing great and loving life - trials and all!
Isn't it such a blessing for us to truly understand the reason that hard things are such an integral part of our life? They make us who we need to be.
I think it was Elder Nelson that said one time, "Before we think to beg Heavenly Father to take a trial away, let's remember that - by doing so - we may be forfeiting our own personal fore-ordination." (not an exact quote.. just something I was thinking about)
So this last week was awesome! On Saturday, Jet and Juriz came down from the city (my last area) and worked with us! They just wanted to travel down and work with us for the day so it was so awesome! We were able to go on exchanges as well and got lots done! Jet leaves on his mission this December heading to Salt Lake City!!! So awesome.
I wanted to share something I studied this morning. As I was in the Christlike Attributes Chapter of Preach My Gospel, I found myself on the Doctrine and Attribute of "Patience".
I had SUCH A FUN STUDY this morning!
I started in Mosiah 24:9-16. Alma and his brethren here are put in a situation where they are unable to pray vocally. Of course, they don't let that stop them from Praying, so they "pour out their hearts" to God in prayer.
I realized something different as I read this today.
Sometimes we are put in situations (by our own free will or because of the choices of others) where we can't do the most perfect thing.
For example, Alma knew that the best way to pray was vocally, but he just couldn't do it.
What I learned is that one part of patience is that we are confidently satisfied before the Lord, when we know we are doing ALL THAT WE CAN.
Are you ever in a situation that, for whatever reason, you can't do all that you wish you could do? Well, do what you can...focus on that.
Cross reference that to D&C 123:17. We gain capacity to be patient when we know that we have done all in our power. Then we wait for the Lord to fulfill His promises.
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| We've got a lot of land to cover.... |
I continued on and found a new all time favorite verse: D&C 101:38. I absolutely love it.
"And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life."
Cross that over to D&C 93:1 to get the process. I love the phrase "in patience ye may possess your souls." We will be able to bring all under subjection as we live the gospel and use the Atonement. Sorry this is so scattered, I hope you can get something out of it.
In closing, there was one overall lesson I learned this morning:
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| Alright...well....we've got to go through it.... |
Patience is a lot more than just not showing emotion when we are annoyed, frustrated, or angry. It's deeper than that.
It is changing how we think about the situation. There is no point in just not showing your are angry while, the whole time, complaining in your thoughts about the situation. We are patient from the inside out. Prayer helps a lot.
I am so grateful for all of your examples that you have given me throughout my life. I LOVE all of you. Whether it was through church, school, family, or anything, I am glad that we met because I've learn so much from each and every one of you.
Let's keep moving forward, remembering always Who gives us the blessings every day. Keep Christ at the center of our lives and build every single day upon that foundation. We can all become just like Him, but it starts as we make the decision to act. As we pick one of His attributes and one by one, grace by grace, little by little, place them inside of us.
Love you all and hope you have an amazing week :) Elder Jacobs
