December 1, 2015

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

- Mother Teresa

To start off this weekly update, I’m getting changed to a new sector after having been here for almost 6 months. I’m deeply saddened because I have come to love those that live here. It has been a pleasure to walk up and down the streets here, find the lost sheep of the Lord, and try to help them come back to the fold. Although I have been rejected in this sector, I’m glad to have tried. I’m glad to have worked. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to make a difference in at least one person`s life. I feel that this sector has been great for me to feel the power of the Savior's Atonement as I’ve been working my tail off. I’ve done my part, and I’ve waited for the Savior's blessings to be poured out upon me. I have been able to see miracles that are so small, if not unnoticeable. I’ve been filled with joy for the One I’ve been able to talk with in the day, and I’ve been filled with pain and sorrow for the 99 that have rejected us.

Peruvian Dinner

I wrote someone an email just a few seconds ago, and I like what I wrote, so I’m going to copy it into this weekly update. "The thing is, the mission is hard, and it is made to help us change and grow, sometimes in ways that are hard and uncomfortable. But, even though it may hurt at times, it is for us to grow and become better than we once were. It is true that looking from the outside, it appears painful. Inside it does too, but looking through the forger's eyes, you are able to see that it is necessary. To change a metal, it must go through long periods of time being treated with high temperatures. Then it is worked on by instruments, changing it from what it once was. But in the end, it comes out to what the forger sees it to become, as long as it can withstand the heat and the treatment. So, I guess that the mission has been amazing for me. I still have plenty of time and more trials to go through. And then comes life afterwards. But in the end, I hope I can just withstand the heat."

So, just a reminder for all of you to keep moving forward. With time, it all will make sense, and we will come off triumphant. A favorite scripture of mine says the following, speaking of the doctrine of Christ, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." May we do the same. May we persevere to the end. We must overcome whatever trials come within our path. And WE CAN, but only if we do so with the help of the Lord. 

I love you all, and I’m so glad to be here, to be a representative of Christ, to be here proclaiming His gospel. The joy that comes after so much heartache, so much effort, is so great. I’m glad to be here. I love you all. Keep growing in your testimonies of the Savior. In my final words, like those of Jacob of olden times, "O be wise; what can I say more?"

Elder Gale