Week 70
Can we just take a second and talk about how fast this week went? Mamma mia!
AND tonight is my last transfer call! Pretty sure I know what's happening.....but chissà davvero....
This week I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
We had the chance to go to another city in Sardegna, Oristano, for a convert baptism. This little bitty branch hasn't seen sisters in 10+ years, and even though WE went to love and support and sustain the new convert and members, I don't think we could have been more warmly welcomed and loved in that short hour we were there. These members SHONE with the light of Christ and their actions showed what they believed.
I have a long way to go on the pathway of disciple ships, and a lot of "nets" I still need to leave behind. But one thing I'm learning now more than ever is that the gospel and the pathway of discipleship is exactly that...a pathway!! It's not a jump, a climb, a cartwheel flip thing on a trampoline that we have to do perfectly in order to get into the Kingdom of God.
President Uchtdorf said,
“Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us--even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.
“We [might] see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities.
To those who have left the path of discipleship for whatever reason, I invite you to start where you are and come to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Walk again in the way of the Lord. I testify that the Lord will bless your life, endow you with knowledge and joy beyond comprehension, and distill upon you the supernal gifts of the Spirit. It is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late.
To those who feel inadequate because they have not been members of the Church all their lives, to those who feel that they can never make up for the time they have lost, I testify that the Lord needs your specific abilities, talents, and skills.... It is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late."
I'm not a perfect missionary, and I'm 101% sure that I won't have it all figured out in the next six weeks. But the good thing is that this mission, this discipleship, doesn't end. Each day is a new start for each one of us! The lord is always there to help us along the way, and he is our Mediator with the Father who helps our flaws and imperfections become so much more than we could ever make of ourselves alone. He can heal us, put us back up on our feet, and will walk along with us the entire way. Ours is the responsibility to follow him, learn from his words, and seek his power daily in our life.
As President Uchtdorf also said,
"Brothers and sisters, we have to stay with it. We don’t acquire eternal life in a sprint—this is a race of endurance. We have to apply and reapply the divine gospel principles. Day after day we need to make them part of our normal life."
I'll be happily enjoying and booking it to the finish line for the next six weeks of the little sprint part of my endurance race over here in Italia! I'm so excited for this transfer and all the excitement, miracles, and experiences to come.
I love you all and hope it's a good week!
Sorella Carver
