You got to meet Elder Bednar!!! That is a big deal!!! We do a lesson with the members that have kids and we explain to them how important the apostles are. We are the only church on the earth that has the priestood. That is the power of God on the earth!!! And Elder Bednar is considered a Prophet, seer, and revelator! He can be compared to the twelve apostles that walked with Christ. He holds that power to act in Christ and Heavenly Father's name. So yeah I think it kinda was a big deal. But only because my testimony of the 12 apostles has increased so much. I am so greatful for their sacrifice and work on this earth. I know they are constantly working hard to help us. They are the most unselfish people on this earth. They have to be. Also I saw a talk by him when I was in the MTC and it was the best talk ever. It was called the Characteristics of Christ. It has shaped my mission. I so wish I could meet him and thank him for all he does. He is probably the closest you will ever get to the power of God, well besides the Temple. But yeah my testimony has grown ten-fold out here. This mission has been the hardest thing in my life. But also the best. There is no better place to learn to be an adult. I have grown to love people more than I ever have. I have developed realtionships that will last longer than a lifetime. I have learned how to eventually teach my children and how to be a good wife. I have learned to sacrifice and learned to be selfless. I know you tried to teach me these things, but now they are finally making sense. My understanding of life has increased so much. I know I have a purpose here on earth and I will strive to fulfill that purpose even after death.
Anyway that is my rant :) I am so grateful that you and dad have sacrificed so much for me to be on a mission. I know someday I will have to repay you somehow. I pray every night that you can feel even a small part of what I am experiencing out here. It is unexplainable. Liam is growing up so fast!!! I thought maybe he wouldn't be talking until I got home and he already is?!
I hope you are getting good rest. I can only imagine how tiring those kids are at the school :) But enjoy them. Children are the sweetest gift from God. Cherish the moments you have with them now and nourish them. I could never explain the impact that so many of my teachers have had on me. I know home is the first place I learned, but from teachers I learned a great deal as well. Not only about studies, but about life. Be their friend when they have none. They will always remember how they felt in a classroom and about a teacher. They may not always remember what they learned.
Mom I love you. I am so grateful for your sacrifice. I know that Heavenly Father is and does bless you. But seek out those things. Be still once in a while and think about his hand in your life. We had a challenge this week to only say Grateful prayers. It is amazing how even when you don't ask for things, He knows what you really need. Also Mom I want to challenge you guys as a family to help the missionaries. Feed them, go to lessons with them, gain their trust and help them to gain yours. Missionary work is really what our life should be about. Think of how great this gospel is to you. There are so many people that don't have half of that. Share it with them. You don't have to approach a stranger and give them a Book of Mormon. But if you do even better :) Just start out being a friend. Continually strive to be like Christ. See people as Christ sees them. Pray for missionary opportunities. I am a set apart missionary. I am away from my family for 18 months so I can help others be with theirs for eternity. But I will not let that end after I am finished here. My mission will extend throughout eternities. I will constantly be helping others come closer to Christ. Helping them so that when Christ shall say "The work is done" I will stand blameless before him. I will tell him I gave not only this mission, but my life mission my all. Incorporate everything you do with he gospel. Think of how every little thing is helping you fulfill your purpose in life. If it is not then why do it. The hardest thing I have had to learn out here is to become selfless. It has been a challenge, but the blessings that come from it are so great.
I could go on and on about this stuff. I feel so strongly about this gospel and how it has helped me so much. I finally understand the big picture. I want you to feel this way too. I want you to read the scriptures and gain amazing insights. I want you to experience the joy and happiness that I have. It is so hard to push Satan out of the way, but once he is blocked out, God will lift you up. I am sorry if none of this makes sense. I wish I could explain it all so much better, but really it is a personal experience. It is like the words in the scriptures when they say there are no words to explain the glory. I just hope you can feel that too mom. I want you to FEEL what I have felt. It comes through the smallest things, but the greatest things come out of it. Something as simple as a prayer or reading the scriptures or going to church and REALLY paying attention, savoring the words, and desiring to learn. That is where it comes from. The root of it all is the desire to learn.
I love you guys each and everyone of you. I am so grateful for your support as I am serving here. I could never express enough thanks to you in words. Imagine me giving you a hug :) That still isn't adequate, but will have to do. I love you forever and always!
Love
Whit
