First and foremost, thank you for the love that you all show to me. I truly can feel the Saviors love from all of you.
But
this week has definitely been tough but at the same time very exciting!
The area that I got transferred to was struggling really badly so they
took both the Elders out and put me and my new companion in. It is
actually an area that I served in almost a year ago, PLANTATION!! It has
been amazing to see all the members and recent converts and their
progression in the gospel of Jesus Christ. My new companion is Elder
Morgan straight from the MTC, originally from Spokane Washington. He is
an amazing missionary with huge desires and it has been amazing to see
him grow already!
This past week I was able to learn some huge lessons. The Lord is
allowing me to grow which is amazing. One huge thing I learned this past
week is that the Lord doesn't always give you what you want, but he
does always give you what will be best for you with the eternal
perspective. He loves us as his children. As a result the whole purpose
of this life is for us to grow and prepare ourselves to meet God. Yes
sometimes we are overwhelmed and feel inadequate. That is to be assumed
because our nature is fallen since Adam and Eve. But God so loved the
world that he sent his only begotten Son, that through Him our
weaknesses can be made strong. So in this life we need not think, what
do I want, or what do I think would be best. But we must think what will
help me grow closest to the Savior, and what does God want. As we do so
we will accomplish the purpose in us coming here to Earth.
This whole week I was pondering on why God sent me back to
Plantation to train and he gave me one of the reasons through an
experience. As Elder Morgan and myself were biking one night it started
to pour down rain. I began to ponder where we could go and immediately
the Spirit told me to go to a former that I taught a year ago that
started avoiding us after she came to church. So we biked fast and
locked our bikes up then walked up to her house. She came to the door
and then in her own words she said, "There stood Elder Pond wet as a
dawg, but with a smile on his face! So I let him in." As we began to
talk I thought back to the time when Elder Wardell and myself taught her
and her family. The tough time they have been going through with the
passing of two of her kids, and suffering from depression as a result.
We invited her to be baptized on Sunday and she accepted wholeheartedly!
On Sunday, Elder Morgan was able to bring this precious daughter of God
under the waters of baptism and back up. One reason why I know God sent
me back to Plantation is because her family needs to be eternal, and if
he hadn't who know how long it would of been since missionaries met
back up with her family. God is in control of all things, if we allow
him to be.
Well always remember that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He is
in control and will help us in the very moment when we need it. Because
it is by grace we are saved, after ALL we can do! I love you all as well
and pray for you daily. Pray that the work continues to go foreword.
And this week, rely more upon Christ than you ever have in your entire
life, and things will change.
With Love,
Elder Pond
