Sorry ya'll, my message will be kind of shorter today...
This last week was just normal missionary work. My companion says the most stressful and difficult part of missionary work is when appointments cancel or when people don't show up... I think this last week she was probably pretty stressed. hahaha. I'm loving the missionary work though! At general conference this last weekend (Korea is a week behind) we learned the importance of opposition! It truly is a great gift.
Speaking of general conference... I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE! It's way better than any other holiday as a missionary, even Christmas. Let me just testify... if anyone ever has any questions, so long as you put in the effort of preparing yourself (pondering, praying, etc.) beforehand, you WILL find the answers, or at least a lot of guidance and direction, through listening to the messages of God's chosen apostles and disciples! And I know this from experience... this last weekend brought much enlightenment to my life!
It's hard to choose a favorite speaker or talk, as I honestly loved all of it! But one of the things that struck me was the importance of the very basic and foundational principle... that God is our Father and HE LOVES US! (I'm thinking specially of Elder Holland's and Elder Halstrom's talks... go read them again!) Elder Holland said:
"My brothers and sisters, the first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life. Indeed it is only with that reassurance burning in our soul that we can have the confidence to keep trying to improve, keep seeking forgiveness for our sins, and keep extending that grace to our neighbor.
President George Q. Cannon once taught: 'No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character [to do so]. … He will [always] stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them.' "
As long as we truly understand this principle, the big rough waves in life seem to hit a bit less hard... our hearts are a bit lighter... and we are happier. I know that we are His children and He loves us!! So much that He sent His only Begotten son, who is truly our redeemer. I pray that each of you remembers this!
LOVE YOU!!
(John 13:34-35)
--
Sister Marissa Hatch
해치 자매
This last week was just normal missionary work. My companion says the most stressful and difficult part of missionary work is when appointments cancel or when people don't show up... I think this last week she was probably pretty stressed. hahaha. I'm loving the missionary work though! At general conference this last weekend (Korea is a week behind) we learned the importance of opposition! It truly is a great gift.
Speaking of general conference... I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE! It's way better than any other holiday as a missionary, even Christmas. Let me just testify... if anyone ever has any questions, so long as you put in the effort of preparing yourself (pondering, praying, etc.) beforehand, you WILL find the answers, or at least a lot of guidance and direction, through listening to the messages of God's chosen apostles and disciples! And I know this from experience... this last weekend brought much enlightenment to my life!
It's hard to choose a favorite speaker or talk, as I honestly loved all of it! But one of the things that struck me was the importance of the very basic and foundational principle... that God is our Father and HE LOVES US! (I'm thinking specially of Elder Holland's and Elder Halstrom's talks... go read them again!) Elder Holland said:
"My brothers and sisters, the first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life. Indeed it is only with that reassurance burning in our soul that we can have the confidence to keep trying to improve, keep seeking forgiveness for our sins, and keep extending that grace to our neighbor.
President George Q. Cannon once taught: 'No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character [to do so]. … He will [always] stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them.' "
As long as we truly understand this principle, the big rough waves in life seem to hit a bit less hard... our hearts are a bit lighter... and we are happier. I know that we are His children and He loves us!! So much that He sent His only Begotten son, who is truly our redeemer. I pray that each of you remembers this!
LOVE YOU!!
(John 13:34-35)
--
Sister Marissa Hatch
해치 자매