The Shadow of the Past

Hey everyone!

This week was packed full of classes devotionals! First off, Chocolate Milk. Really good, and I mean really good. I drink at least two cups of it every meal. Thirdly, companion. Elder Larsen is a cool dude and is a blast to have as a companion. Fourthly, I met Elder Ward! But enough of me jumping around the week.

Wednesday Dec. 18th, the final farewell.
I woke up ready to go to the MTC then realized I had to wait for 6 more hours. When we got to the MTC the goodbye was quick a hug with everyone that came and then off I went. I got settled in my dorm then went to a welcome

Dec. 19th Thursday, first day of school
My first day of actual classes. I met my district and teachers. In my district we have:
Elder Larsen and Elder Ward
Elder Behrens (pronounced Barins) and Elder Swanson
Elder Helm and Elder Mckenzie
Elder Layton and Elder Shaw
Sis. Davenport, Sis. Boehm (pronounced Bame), and Sis. Jackson
They are all amazing and funny people.

Dec. 20th Friday, organization
Our branch got organized and Elder Behrens is the District Leader and Elder Larsen is my senior companion. We also went to the gym and played volleyball

Dec. 21st Saturday, I invite you (Happy Birthday Ivy!)
We learned how to invite people to learn the gospel and then I didn’t do it very well in my practice appointment.

Dec. 22nd Sunday, feed my sheep
Had a cool devotional and if you have time read or listen to “The First Great Commandment” by Q. L. Cook Oct 2012.

Dec. 23rd Monday
Met another Elder Ward walking to class, will update you when I meet him again.

I will also leave you with a quote from Sis. Davenport

That night in Gethsemane, Jesus became you.

He became me too. He became every single one of us. He experienced every single terrible moment of our lives.

That night, He went through the agony of Chemotherapy.
That night, He was a victim of assault.
That night, He didn’t know how he was going to feed His family.
That night, He battled depression and anxiety.
That night, He lost a child.
That night, He felt lost and alone.

That night, He felt hopeless. He felt terrified. He felt abandoned by His friends, and abandoned by His God.
Whatever you have felt, He felt it too. He felt all the pain and anger and sadness and loneliness that you have ever felt. He knows everything you’ve done, and everything anyone has done to you. He knows you perfectly.

And He still loves you.

In fact, He loves you not in spite of knowing you perfectly, but BECAUSE He knows you perfectly. He loves you more than you can imagine. Even when you don’t love yourself–ESPECIALLY when you don’t love yourself–He loves you.

His love will never change or fade away, just as your worth will never change or fade away. You are a literal child of Heavenly Parents, the King and Queen of the universe. That makes you precious. Your worth is infinite.

Jesus Christ volunteered to feel what you feel, to suffer what you suffer, because of that love He has for you. He took it all on Himself so he can know how to help you and heal you.

It may not happen right now. It may not happen soon. But He will help you. He’ll take away your pain. And until He can, He’ll be there to strengthen you so you can handle it, to carry you when you’re too weak, and to hold you so you’re not alone.

Because of Him, there is always hope. The light is there because He is the Light.”
~Unknown

May the current be in your favor.
Elder Ward