Thanks everyone for writing me today-i feelin the love!
Ive been thinking alot about what i should share with you all this week. This week didnt go the way i wanted it too--no baptisms even though we had 2 families ready. But obviously my timing was yet again not in harmony with God´s timing. Anyways, I decided that today I wanted to talk about the scriptures.
I was studying this week in Alma 32 again,but this time some verses jumped off the page. This chapter reminded me of a primary experience.
I remember at least once in primary when Margot Gardiner gave us seeds in a cup. At first i was so excited--wow! A real seed in a cup! and then i would watch it grow.....or not. I dont know what happened-but my seeds never grew! BORING! Then my mom would get bored of this cup of dirt on her counter and then one day i´d come home from school and my seeds would have mysteriously disappeared.
This is how i was before my mission with the scriptures. I would get a lesson in YWs or a general conference talk or something to get me all jazzed to read the scriptures. And then I´d start and things would be going good...and then i´d get to second Nephi...and we all know what happens in second Nephi. ((2 nephi 11:2)Nephi´s soul delights in the words of Isaiah. Mine:not so much) and then slowly but surely that drive to read the scriptures would fade and eventually disappear.
But luckily I´ve changed. In Alma 32:28 we read:
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a aseed. Now, if ye give place, that a bseed may be planted in your cheart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your dunbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to eenlighten my funderstanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
That is how the scriptures are to me now. Delicious. I just live for personal study.When i read the words of the prophets, their testimonies and teachings, My faith is strengthened. And the more i study and learn about the gospel, the more and more faith i have until I can say i know its true. and then i dont need to use faith, because i know its true. that faith just becomes a part of who i am.
34 And now, behold, is your aknowledge bperfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your cfaith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your dmind doth begin to expand.
35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea....The stories become realities. Scripture study becomes more than just reading--it becomes a time to be enjoyed. Time to be edified. This reminds me of an amazing song by James E. Faust-This is the Christ.
I read His words, the words He prayed
While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane;
I feel His love, the price He paid.
How many drops of blood were spilled for me?
With saints of old in joyful cry
I too can testify; This is the Christ;
When the scriptures become a part of us- we become a part of the legacy of faithful saints that gave their lives for this gospel. I know that I am not perfect in scripture study- i still need to learn to love Isaiah- But its true what this song says-With saints of old in joyful cry-I too can testify. I know that our Savior came. He lived. He established this church. He performed miracles. He was baptized to give us an example. He died for each one of us. He died for my sins. and Then He broke the bands of death. I know He lives. I know he is always there for us. I know He has felt what i feel. He knows how to succor His people--we just need to turn to Him. We have to give Him everything that we are--and He will Help us become the people we want to be. For that I am eternally grateful. And i am also so grateful for the special opportunity I have right now to be a witness of Him. The opportunity i have to help my brothers and sisters find their savior and feel the joy that i have felt. I will try to remember that this week. I will try to cherish every moment I have in Nicaragua. Thank you everyone for your love and support. Have a great week!!--Love Hermana Barrett.
the picture this week: Rodriguez and I are not big fans of contacting. Its hot and Im not big on rejection. So We stopped to get a chocobanano. Its a frozen banana dipped in chocolate with nuts! Delicious! anyways, keep on keepin on!
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