Letter - April 25, 2011

He is Risen! Happy Easter!

It's been a great week. I really enjoyed the opportunity to take the sacrament, to start over, and to rely on the enabling power of the atonement. I was able to sit next to a wonderful new convert, her name is Vida. She received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then we began to sing the sacrament hymn, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." I was surprised to look over and see tears of joy just streaming down her face. I was so happy just to share this Easter Sunday with her. One Elder also spoke and shared a wonderful testimony of the Savior. I am so grateful for the examples and testimonies of all the members here. They strengthen me so much.

I feel that a mission is a great gift to me, that I am learning a lot. Most of all, I'm learning to follow the spirit "Liahona" and build faith. Today I read first Nephi 16 and really enjoyed Nephi's account of how the Lord brought him understanding. It was a hard week for me physically as I have been down with a cold, but I was also able to receive a priesthood blessing of healing which contained some of the most inspired counsel I have ever heard. I feel that I have gained a better understanding of who God is. This new understanding will affect the way I live my life every day.

1 Nephi 16:29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

Because Nephi's family gained a new understanding of the nature of God, they also felt that it was an important time to "tarry for a space." Though I will still do plenty of missionary work for the rest of my mission, I want to serve with more forethought, so that I can know where we need to be and when. Had the family not tarried for awhile, they would have missed enjoying the last of Ishmael's time here on Earth. I miss so many blessings when I am too busy and too rushed to feel the spirit. Listening is a spiritual skill. Hurrying is not among the Christ-like attributes.

1 Nephi 16:33 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after we had traveled for the space of many days we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.