To Become Holy

Hallo alle!

What a great week!

This week we had zone conference which was a great experience. It was probably the best one of my missions. We talked a lot about how in trying to become like Jesus Christ, it is incredibly important to recognize our own self worth and divine potential but also help others feel loved and recognize their own self worth, just like Jesus Christ did. President Hammon also talked about sanctification, and how to become sanctified means to become holy. In other words, to become more like Jesus Christ. There are so many opportunities everyday that we have to become more like Jesus Christ. One thing that I have learned on my mission is that no matter how YOU feel, never stop serving others. As you strive to not think less of yourself, but rather think less often ABOUT yourself, you will be blessed and you will become happier in life. You will also come to recognize your own self worth and how loved you are as a child of God. 

The other day we went over to the Bishop and his family's house, and it was great. We talked about gratitude and how important it is to thank God everyday! As you seek to be more grateful for the things you have in life, you will come to recognize the Lord's hand in your life and your reliance on Him. You will recognize that He is there and that He does exist. Gratitude is a principle of strength and power. It requires humility and shows that you are reliant on the Lord for all that you have. To be humble and grateful is not to be weak, but to be confident in God and His plan for you. Some verses in 2 Samuel 22 stood out to me this week.

5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;

   6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;

   7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

   31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

   32 For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?

   33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

In your hard times and in your good times, if you turn to God and rely on Him, He will hear your prayers. He will help you feel His love and He will give you the strength you need to overcome anything.

God's plan is perfect, and will make your way perfect as you rely on Him. He created you, and He wants you to be you, not someone else. He loves you because you are who you are, not because you are trying to be someone else. Your efforts are seen by God and He appreciates them greatly.

I have learned a lot about prayer this week. I have come to know that the Lord answers every single one of our prayers, no matter how great or small. The answers may come immediately, or they take years. But the most important thing is that we never stop praying. Our Father in Heaven ALWAYS wants to hear from us, because we are His children and He loves us unconditionally. 

Anyways nothing too crazy this week, but I have learned a lot this week and have grown in a lot of ways. My testimony is so much stronger than it was even just 2 weeks ago. As my sister so cheesily said just about 30 minutes ago: "I love you, but more importantly JESUS LOVES YOU". Das stimmt, as they say in Deutschland.

Love yall

Elder Allan