Sister Meservy’s Letter from July 14, 2014
Subject: “Here comes the bride . . . .”
So this week as Sister Huffaker and I were planning I was getting pretty exhausted and overwhelmed. There I laid, on the ground, helplessly looking at the ceiling, when I let out a desperate cry, “I’M JUST NOT A PERFECT PLANNER LIKE GOD IS!”
Not realizing just how ridiculous I sounded, I wondered why Sister Huffaker laughed at me. Then she reminded me that I’m not supposed to be a perfect planner like God yet. He doesn’t even ask that of me.
There is a talk in the Ensign this month that talks about this idea. I’m gonna attach it so y’all can read it.
Then, I was studying a talk by Elder Terrence C. Smith. He talks about how we as humans can be pretty negative about ourselves. He says,
“Why do we tend to think of the atonement primarily in terms of fixing ours ins rather than healing our adversity? Why do’t we have the same priority order as the prophets have had? (Alma 7) Well, I don’t completely understand that myself. It’s a complex question about human nature, but it’s probably for the same reason that we called the most beautiful and optimistic of Jesus’ parables, The Prodigal Son; rather than calling it, The Forgiving Father. We’re more than a little fixated on our faults down here, and also very reluctant to accept our acceptance.”
He talks about applying the atonement to overcome sin by having Faith in Christ and Repenting. However, when adversity strikes, we can’t fix it by REPENTING. So often we try to repent of our adversities,and we are left feeling guilt for the troubles we have.
I know that I have been stuck in that boat again and again throughout my life. Just this morning I was repenting and feeling guilty for something that was totally an accident. I was washing the car with my companion and the sponge we were using had something in it. We weren’t aware so we scrubbed away at the sap spots on our car. Well… instead of removing the sap we removed the finish of the car. I felt terrible when I realized what was happening. It ruined my morning. Luckily, Elder Smith’s words kept repeating though my mind. As I prayed I understood. THIS WAS A MORNING OF ADVERSITY. We called Elder Handy (Office Senior Missionary) to ask him about the car and he was as understanding as Heavenly Father was.
To apply the atonement for adversity, repenting of it doesn’t work. We must still have Faith in Christ, but next we need to pray for help to overcome our struggles, and then we need to SERVE.
One of the young women leaders cut her hand this week right on her palm. It got infected and has really been bothering her since she cut it. However, having that cut, right in her palm, has reminded her of the Savior, again and again. She has thought more of his sacrifice for her than ever before. Just as it is with so many of our weaknesses, they are a reminder to us of our Savior Jesus Christ. We are here to prepare to meet God. We are here to grow. I love this life.
President Mullen gave me a blessing a few weeks ago and in it he blessed me to work with the Young Women, to help them see their worth and potential. Well, here is a list of our progressing investigators since then:
Bozhi Harp. 16
Kelsi Blaser. 16
Chelsea Tremblay. 17
I LOVE TEACHING YOUNG WOMEN! All three of them want to be baptized. I love them SO much. Heavenly Father is so aware of each of them and so aware of me. 🙂
Also… We went to help our Recent Convert, Russ Lucki, clean out his house, and he gave me his late wife’s wedding dress…. It is really pretty. haha.
ANYWAY. LOVE YOU LOADS FAMILY!
LOVE,
Sister M
As Sarah’s Dad I am assuming this relates to the subject of this weeks email
