The Path To Perfection

This week was so crazy! And this week in my personal study, I studied the phrase "be ye therefore perfect." And I can't tell you how amazing this study was for me!  I studied a bunch of conference talks, magazine articles, and scriptures!

Here are a couple I think you all should read:

- Be ye therefore perfect... eventually by Elder Holland (Oct. 2017)

- Be ye therefore perfect by Brenda Hunt (March 1978 Liahona)

This is what I learned and was reminded: We are commanded to be perfect, and even though that seems impossible and makes us feel incredibly inadequate- Jesus loves us so much, and will never give us a commandment that he knew we could not keep. There are two scriptures that I based my study off of: Matthew 5:48 and 3 Nephi 12:48. There is one difference between these two verses that I have never noticed before. In Matthew it says "even as your father in heaven" and in 3 Nephi it says "even as I, or your father in heaven." One HUGE event happens between the times Jesus says these scriptures. He was resurrected. 

We cannot become perfected until after we are resurrected. Our loving prophet said that our perfection is pending. We don't need to be stressing out about being perfect- and they don't ask us to be perfect on earth. What they ask us to do is believe and try. Elder Holland in the talk I listed above said, "if we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and compete- which is the New Testament meaning of perfection." 

In the other talk I shared, it talks about the idea of a perfect day, I really think you should all read this, because the stories shared in this talk about their "perfect day" weren't really perfect- but they strived every moment of the day to make it a perfect one. I challenge you all to take the bishop's invitation and pick a day this week to be your perfect day, and plan and prepare for it. I would love to hear your stories! 

Another scripture that I grew to love this week was Luke 2:52. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." This is what I am trying to do right now, grow in favor of God, while forming relationships with man. I'd say that I am trying to grow in stature, but I don't think that is realistic for me...

This week I did exchanges again, and it was such a good experience for me, my trainer left the area, and my STL is an English speaking missionary. So I not only led the area, but I was the only person who understood and could speak Spanish! I also had to drive haha.... But the amount of times I could tell that the Holy Ghost was there, helping me through the lesson or through the conversation was amazing. I know that I wasn't alone that 24 hours during exchanges because of the peace and confidence that I know God was sending me. During the exchange I finished the first half of my MTE's ( Gospel of Jesus Christ, Word of Wisdom, and Law of Chastity). The Spanish STL told me that I seemed much more confident with my teaching- and I know that it wasn't me, but it was the Holy Ghost guiding me. We talked to so many people, and met some amazing new ones. This was the day that I felt for the first time, that I could do this mission, and that Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost would help me to do all that I needed to.

I have to say though, my independence 8came back strong when my companion, Hermana Hollberg came back... I had a small taste of doing things my way, and being the only one talking and planning, that I was a little frustrated when she came back and we started to do things her way again. I know that this mission will teach me to be a little more reliant on others and will teach me different ways to work better with them! 

Update with two cute families: 

- Our security guy friend was talking to us about his family again, and randomly called them to introduce us to them, it was super sweet and completely pure. 

- The Kiddos are doing good, there is a little frustration here and there with their dad and his influence on them, but we put them on date for baptism!!! We just have to serve the dad more and hope that we can soften his heart towards the gospel, so that he allows us to keep teaching them! If you all wouldn't mind keeping them in your prayers- that would be amazing!

I have a question that I want you all to consider: it's not the weekly question, because I don't want to have two, but I think it's an important thing to think about: What is the most important thing right now? What should have the most focus in your life right now?

This week I have met a bunch of people who deal with such hard trials every day, but remember Christ's Atonement for us and tell themselves every day, that if Christ can suffer through that, than I can suffer through this. Look at your challenges and trials in comparison to Christ's suffering, then remember that he felt all that you are feeling right now. Also remember the blessings that you have been given. The things that are most important will stand out to you when you do this, and I promise you all that if you place your focus on the things that you gave decided are your priorities, that you will receive more blessings!

I love you all so much, and I know that God's and Christ's love for each of us is immeasurable! Romans 8:39 "Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I testify to each of you that Christ's love is unconditional, and he wants to help each and every one of us, all we need to do is turn to him, and ask.

Have an amazing week everyone!

My question for this week is: What does the song "I'm trying to be like Jesus" mean to you?