I Stand All Amazed

Lua is so sweet. She has been taught by missionaries for a long time. She is 12 years old. She came to church a few weeks ago & went to a youth camp. She loved it all & we invited her to pray about baptism. She did & maybe she still doesn't know how to recognize the answers but we spent a lesson explaining that & asking her questions. We made a goal to have her get baptized in February!!! We are going to help her feel sure about it & to bring the spirit more in her life so that she can make that step. 

It was another week of seed planting which is special & requires a lot of patience. We have been using every resource it feels like & we just know God is preparing people. & I've been taught & I know that His timing is perfect. We met a lot of people who just don't believe in Christ. It breaks my heart right in half to think of the hope they are missing out on. Christ is the Savior of the world. I believe in Him. He has walked with me everyday & has given me His power & strength to be able to testify with all my being. I love that about Him.

We met an inactive member this week who had just gotten lost in his thoughts. He had once prayed & knew of these truths but decided to back away & has turned bitter. Tears filled the eyes of my companion & mine. I just stared & listened feeling so much peace that I do know the truthfullness of these things. I also just thought of what he could have more in his life if he lived the gospel. It really is such a blessing to have this guidance everyday.

On exchanges, we were in my old wards boundaries. I had moments that I will never forget when I was there in that area. I got to see an old friend we were teaching & she was in tears. It was a joy to my heart. We also got to see a little boy who ended up getting baptized after we put him on date! His sister came out running to hug me & called me by name & that warmed my heart. I also got to see a sweet family who changed my life. It was an emotional moment as they shared some of the trials they are facing as a family with cancer. God guided us to them that day. It was just what I needed. Filled my heart with joy. 

I do love being a missionary. It has been 17 months & I can't really comprehend that. Maybe I thought it would go by slower. I feel like yesterday I was in my first area trying to learn a new language. Now I'm in my last area & the spanish has come along. I think back on so many moments of these past 17 months & it just fills my soul. So many testimony builders & so much strength. Trials do come & somehow, through the most perfect Atonement given to us by Jesus Christ, we can get through anything that comes our way. 

"When will these burdens be lifted? The answer is “by and by.” And whether that be a short period or a long one is not always ours to say, but by the grace of God, the blessings will come to those who hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That issue was settled in a very private garden and on a very public hill in Jerusalem long ago." - President Holland

It was settled & maybe this is something I can't fully comprehend either. But I sure know it is true. He suffered, bled, & died. I feel it in my heart & I stand all amazed. 

I love you all so dearly. I pray for you.

With all my heart,

Hermana Morley <3