Hey guys,
Thanks for your letters. Dad I love your monkey costume. [Insert: picture of Carl in monkey costume...]
I think it's a good choice. Mom, I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your new job. I think it's an awesome fit for you, and I'm sure you're doing great. It was good to hear from you guys. It's been kind of a crazy week, but a good one.
One tender mercy has been the senior couple that works with us in the office. I think they can tell I've been a little more stressed and they have been nice to me in little ways. I really appreciate that.
This week I have been trying to focus more and pray more for other people instead of just myself. I find when I pray for others I don't feel too bad. I need help all the time from the Lord but sometimes taking the focus off of me prevents me from taking things too seriously. However I have been praying a LOT this week and seeking answers to questions about my mission, how I can improve, what the Lord thinks of me, and so on.
In the middle of the week I saw the talk you sent, Dad. I read it and thought about it. The part that really stuck out to me is at the very end, when he promises that we can feel that we are pleasing to God in spite of our shortcomings. I decided to "take the challenge" and I was able to feel that peace. At the beginning of that talk the guy asks some questions and I decided to write down my answers to all of them, and all of the answers were pretty sad. So I've been thinking about that, how when I feel God's approval I can trust it, that when He says "you're doing a good job" in a sense I can carry myself as if it were true! I have felt my testimony increase greatly this week in the fact that in a very real way God is with me, that I am in His hands. One morning I was praying and I asked God very sincerely if He has been guiding me all this time or if I have just been deceiving and making a fool of myself. Shortly thereafter I felt the Spirit very strongly testify this truth - "you are in my hands."
I've been pondering the idea of enduring well, too. I think the only thing worse than having a hard time on my mission would be having a hard time and not getting anything out of it. I've been praying a little more fervently to ask for help enduring well, and that I can learn (and know what I can learn) from every situation.
I've been pondering the idea of enduring well, too. I think the only thing worse than having a hard time on my mission would be having a hard time and not getting anything out of it. I've been praying a little more fervently to ask for help enduring well, and that I can learn (and know what I can learn) from every situation.
Sorry I don't have any pictures this week. But here is a picture that represents me!
Did you know the last time I beat Majora's Mask, I was 11? Just a fun fact... I am planning on beating it again though.
Sorry I don't have much else to say. That's about how my week has been. Thanks for being great, for writing me every week and supporting me. Hope you guys have a great week!! Take pictures!!! (especially at the Carpenter show)
Love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Sederholm