Hello Everyone,
I am in one of those somber moods that make you reflect on your life and everything going on around you. It is probably because my companion is finishing this week and I will be receiving a new companion and staying in Amiens. My new companion is actually already in my district and is coming from Arras to Amiens, so… that makes things easier!
I have found that change, even though it is a constant in our life, is what makes me reflect the most and wonder about the future. It is in times like this that I... write the best Ha! Really it makes me stress out! I think as a missionary it is very easy to develop anxiety when it comes to big change - I think that can apply to all aspects of life.
My companion receives voice recordings from his mom and the one he received today had a little story in which she ended with her testimony. I realized that only now there have been so many occasions when I heard my parents, friends, or my leaders share their testimony, but I never really had the spiritual ears to listen to the words.
I find it quite remarkable how much good we can share with our words, yet also how much bad. Why is it our minds become fixated on the worse case scenario and immediately, our minds, jump to the island of conclusions? Where is the optimism we seek for and express in our prayers and in our dealings with our fellow man, yet lack when it comes to the changes in our lives?
I believe part of it comes from our life experiences. We are bombarded with negative experiences, which seem to crowd out the good experiences. As we forget the good, then our ears are closed to hearing and our eyes shut to seeing. When we need to remember the good the most, that is when we forget them! Of course, I can not speak for all, but if anyone is as hard on themselves as I am, then you understand what I am trying to say. We let the doubts control our thoughts!
One of my favorite quotes is that “we are what we think.” So, if we think negatively, well then of course we will be negative! If we think positively, then we will be more positive! It sounds too easy to be true, but I challenge you to try it and you will see what positive thinking can do for you.
I have heard beautiful heartfelt and sincere testimonies, I have been a witness to many a miracle, I have heard and been comforted by the quiet whisperings of the Holy Ghost, and I have been healed by my Savior Jesus Christ! I also have a strong conviction of this Gospel. These are the good things that keep me going - to list a few!
Jesus Christ is the source of our hope. He is the source of our joy. He paid the ultimate price for all of us by suffering and ultimately dying for us. As I have “aged” throughout my mission I have been repeatedly brought back to the feet of my savior in a desperate search for peace and rescue. The miraculous part of this all is that He has come for me each time. He has lifted me when I was drowning, He has opened my eyes to see, He has healed me that I may walk, and He has opened my ears to hear. Through my experiences, whether they be hard or easy, I have found peace and comfort in Christ.
I know the promise of our efforts being magnified is true. In the recent months I have grown, I would say exponentially in my spirituality; I truly hunger after the things of the spirit. Oftimes I find myself reading and teaching in a way that does not come from me. The Lord has been good to me as I have tried to do my best. I set standards that are too high for me and I always fall short, but even when I am at my lowest Christ is there to lift me up again. I don’t know how He manages to do it, but I sure am grateful for His help.
He has given me so much and continues to give me so much, the least I can do is to give my meager portion. I know, that He is more than happy to give you just as much, even more!
I really love this work, I really love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I really love Jesus Christ. He, along with his teachings, have changed my life. How can I not be grateful?
I leave with the promise that He can lift you up! When you feel you are not meeting your expectations, when you are scared or unsure about the future, when you have to make a difficult decision, or step out of your comfort zone - He is there to help you. Do not rob yourself of so great a blessing as to be wrapped eternally in His arms. He loves you and wants you to do your best. Keep trying, keep believing, keep working, things always get better with the Lord’s help.
When all is said and done, when you are not sure what the next step forward is, take courage, for Christ has already walked the path you now walk and will guide you forward. He gives us a little light here and a little light there and it can be a little scary, but He will always lead us in the right direction. Truly our eyes and our ears can be opened to the things of the Spirit and we can see beyond the mortal eye.
I will recount a quick history from this week!
We went contacting one night and we had actually finished and were heading to Pizza Hut to buy dinner and go home. While we were walking the Spirit spoke to my soul and told me to go contact a girl across the street who was behind us! I had barely even seen the girl, but upon expressing my desire to Elder Lloyd, we went over and started talking with her.
By all earthly appearances she didn’t look like someone we would talk with! She had blue hair, a cigarette butt in her ear, she was dressed in darker, baggier clothes. You see though, that doesn’t matter! We began talking with her and found her to be a swell girl! We practically gave her the entire restoration and Plan of Salvation on the street! She even agreed to meet with us again and we are now in touch with her!
What I want to highlight from the event though is this - Heavenly Father opened my eyes to see her as who she really is. I saw beyond what was physically in front of me, instead I saw a sweet child of Heavenly Parents, who care for her so deeply and want what is best for her. It was a touching and powerful experience, a witness to me of the love our Heavenly Father has for each of His children.
So remember, that even in the darkest and hardest of times we have a loving Heavenly Father and Mother who care for us deeply. We have an older brother, even Jesus Christ, who pleads for us to come unto Him and be perfected. What a marvelous blessing they are for all of us!
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed my somber words haha. I had a great time listening to conference this weekend - I hope you all did as well.
Make a great week!
I love you all,
Elder Molinari
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