Letter -October 18, 2010

I'm not in Lithuania right now, but it's ok. I'm not supposed to be.

Dear Family and Friends,

I am writing you from Riga, Latvia. I'm attending a training conference for missionaries. I have felt an outpouring of the spirit here, and I feel a renewed desire to apply myself to the work with a renewed vigor. I know I'm learning things that I will use for the rest of my life. I know this because I have felt small stirrings and changes in my own desires lately. I've felt a deepening of commitment, and a resolve to call repentance a little longer, a little louder. I've received overwhelming amounts of love and support and prayers from loved ones. I've received priesthood blessings of healing. I've felt feelings of gratitude lift me, as I've taken my energies off my own success or failure.

I have probably written you these verses before, but they're found in Isaiah 58. I feel these are the words that the Lord would have me emulate, "1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." And if I will serve in an attitude of fasting and dedication, the Lord has promised the following in verse12 "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." I hope that I can serve in a way that people will say of me, "She was a bridge builder. She laid the foundation for the righteous generations of Lithuania."

The Branch President was able to bless his little girl Laura in sacrament meeting yesterday. In Jeremiah 3:14, we read, "and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion." I have a firm testimony that there are already those 10 families beginning to make a difference in Lithuania. I am privileged to be a part of that work. I hope that wherever you are, that you are taking time every day to let the gospel sink into your soul. I hope it's driving you to your knees. This world needs each of us to be a 'bridge builder' in our own spheres.

It's a great time to be alive. It's a great time to be alive. I can't say that enough. I think of you and your individual labors and sacrifices, many of them on my own behalf, and I am overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude. I think of you in your own spheres, and I remember that my life really isn't that uniquely hard. As a member said earlier this week, "I think back on sacrifices past, that I've made for the Lord, and all I can really remember are the blessings." I stopped a woman while contacting last week, and asked her if she really, really felt she was happy. She hurriedly brushed the question aside, and affirmed that she goes to church. "That's good, but do you feel that you're happy?" She looked down, she faltered, and I could see her as she was, a daughter of God, searching. Then she quickly hurried away. I know that I felt prompted to ask that question. I guess that Thursday was just not her day to receive the gospel.

Love,
Sister Paul