WORK IN PROGRESS

Hello Everyone! Greetings from feeling-like-my-days-are-numbered-in-Green-Valley-Colorado! 

It is the last week of the transfer.. and I would LOOOOVE to stay here with Sister Grenfell for another 6 weeks.. but we will see what the Lord has in store for me! :)  Man... I feel so blessed!!!!!!! Ella and Alexandria got baptized on Saturday and it was amazing. I love baptisms.... the Spirit is always so strong, and I always feel sooo much love in the room from Heavenly Father.  In the Bible, when Christ was baptized it records Heavenly Father saying "Behold my Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased."  I feel like at EVERY baptism you can feel that in the room because God feels the same way for us when we take that step too. Amazing. 

ELLA'S BAPTISM

 

At Ella's baptism her mom said the opening prayer (she is coming back to the path after being away for 8 years or so...) and she got choked up. So tender. Her dad (not a member of the church) said the closing prayer and he was so sincere. So grateful. He was so happy and glad that his daughter got baptized. He's next???? He has a lot of questions, so it's just amazing. They are an incredible family. :)

 

ALEX'S BAPTISM

The confirmations yesterday for Zack, Ella, and Alex were so special. 2 of them mentioned that they would go on to serve missions if they were faithful. And that made me cry just seeing a glimpse of the potential they have, and that every single soul has to serve the Lord in amazing ways.  It helped me see I wasn't just helping one precious soul come to Christ, but hopefully with time many souls will be impacted because of their examples.  That's why sharing the Gospel is so amazing... we never will fully see the fruits that come from the tiny seeds we plant. God works wonders.

 

I AM SOOO HAPPY! My happiness right now, isn't all from seeing a lot of great things happen with the work (that really is a huge part cuz this is incredible) but it is largely in part of being Sister Grenfell's companion and learning from her about who I really am.  She is helping me to see that I am one of God's creations. She related this to me so I'll share with you.  Think of a famous sculpture... like the David or something. It starts off as a giant hunk of marble. Made of great stuff, but not quite finished.  the beginning process is using big tools to remove big unnecessary chunks to get closer to the shape we want.  (big sins) next comes medium sized tools to help form the arms and legs and help define what the sculpture will really be. (commandment keeping) Follows is the small tools that carve definition of the clothes or muscles or facial features (living high standards and giving our hearts) then comes the Finisher's touch. With painstaking care comes the sandpaper to cover every surface and make it as smooth as glass (acquiring Christ-like attributes) .... sometimes... well, all the time... I had gotten hung up on a small scratch or grit and tried to obsessively scrub and scrub with sandpaper only seeing the slight flaw,,, not ever taking a step back to look at the masterpiece God is creating of me.  I took a step last night and looked and I feel so liberated. God is so good. He loves us. No matter what stage we are in in the sculpting process He knows exactly who we can become and it is amazing.  So let us trust the Sculptor, Jesus Christ. Every trial and happiness that comes is an opportunity to be sculpted... to have His image in our countenance.  I feel like I really am seeing who I am and becoming who God wants me to be...

 

So many of my great family members and friends have been telling me similar things... but it finally entered my heart.

 

That's why I love the Gospel. The Gospel is the tools that Christ uses to sculpt us... so live the Gospel! It's soo amazing! Have faith in Christ and trust Him. Repent... man it's so good! Be baptized... or keep taking the sacrament to renew your covenants, and share the gospel and serve others to keep your covenants. Receive the Holy Ghost in your life every day. Make the choice to invite Him there. And just keep on keepin on.... endure to the end.

 

I love you all soooo much! I pray for you! thank you for your love and support... I LOVE YOU!!!

 

OFA ATU FROM GREEN VALLEY!

 

Onward Christian Soldiers!

From me to you, Sister Kinzie Lou