11/11/19

As I was contemplating what to write in my email today, reflecting on the last 7 days, my heart was touched as I was reminded, by the Spirit, how intricately the Savior, Jesus Christ, is involved in our lives. The single most important event, or series of events, that have occurred over the last 18 months have been the time(s) I knew LOVE was the reason 'why'. The why for my mission. The why for my family. The why for Earth life, for sorrow, for joy. Why?? Because love. Because of the perfect, pure, infinite love from Jesus Christ. Love is the biggest most powerful motivator. I consider my testimony of His atonement a great gift. My most important, precious gift I've ever possessed. Knowing He truly is the Redeemer of my broken, mortal soul. Could I ask for more? "..the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise." (Alma 37:45) I cannot imagine a life without the peace that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. Without a knowledge of the commandments. I thank my parents for that. My prayer is that anyone choosing NOT to grasp Christ's hand and live a life, "which will point to you a straight course [of] eternal bliss" (Alma 37:44), will do the spiritual work necessary to achieve that. If not, you are as what Alma explains to his son Helaman "...without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness." (Alma 41:11) 

Our friend James has been opening his heart to the Savior. After a devotional Sunday night he said to us "I haven't been waiting the month since we met to be baptized.. I've been waiting the 27 years since I was born to be baptized." That is so true. Not only him, but his Heavenly Parents have been waiting as well. 

Each Monday when we go shopping for the week we always get the same cashier. His name is Om and is from India. Today we asked him how he was enjoying the thanksgiving/ Christmas season. He responded "Our God gave us every season. I enjoy all the seasons because each is a gift." WOW what a natural and normal way to share with us his belief and trust is God. I hope we can all be like Om and share what's in our hearts more often. 

...therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
(Doctrine and Covenents 122:9)

SO MUCH LOVE, Sister Izzy Smith 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Good News!!

Image
Good news, our birds are still eating the food we leave out for them on the balcony. We have a blue jay and a crow that are regulars. no big deal. Also good news, IM STAYING IN CRYSTAL CITY WITH SISTER MINAKER FOR ANOTHER SIX WEEKS  this week we gathered some nuts that had fallen off a tree and ended up along the road in the gutter. We cracked them and tried boiling them. I don't know what our end goal was.. but it didn't work. Advice: leave the gutter nuts, they are very bitter. We met a man on the fourth floor... last door (haha)!! He met with missionaries in Korea but lost contact when he moved back to America. WELL HELLO, MIRACLES! There is a part of preach my gospel where a recent convert expresses how when he found the church it filled a hole in his heart/life that he didn't know was missing. That's the best way I can explain how being on a mission feels like. I have found a piece of me I didn't know was missing. Life right before leaving was so wonderful...
Read more

I LOVE YOU

Image
Before I left on my mission I was worried about the work coming off as "here, let me tell you how to live your life." I hate that feeling. (Degrading advice?) But what I've realized, and what is so beautiful about this gospel, is that when people are wanting to change the teachings, the truths, the testimonies, they all have a spirit of love. People realize and feel that we are here helping them because of love. Not because our way is better than their way. But because they have tried their way & through personal trials they have realized that the only way is God's way. Missionaries teach God's way. And help our heavenly father's children understand His way. This work is so worth it, always, but especially when the people thank us for helping them get closer to Christ. GAH,  THIS IS THE BEST.  Whilst on exchanges this week...  I was in the YSA area right next to mine with mah girl Sister. Wayment. We had a lesson with someone she is teaching na...
Read more

Aug 19 SUNSHINE

Image
"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" (-alma 5:26) Alright!! I must tell y'all about Sam Sayem. We met him two weeks ago. I haven't mentioned him yet because I didn't want to take attention away from Brother Farraj and Megan!   WELL, SAM IS AWESOME. I met him on an exchange. He and his wife were getting their groceries and going into the house. They really didn't seem that interested. But God knows the heart because the next day my real companion and I were in that same apartment complex. We saw a man sitting in his car, so naturally we go wave him to roll down his window so we can talk to him (perks of being a sister). It was Sam!! He says "I read your pamphlet. I was going to call you today because I know there must be a prophet on earth today." (Grew up Muslim in Bangladesh might I add..) Well, since that d...
Read more