December 18, 2016
Every week is such an incredible week! There is so much to be learned while serving a mission! It has honestly been the biggest miracle and blessing in my life! I have admired what Nephi says:
"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."
Those afflictions are what helped Nephi become the man that he became. His constant trust in the Lord and is power is what has helped him to be able to endure to the end and become an example to millions more! I am grateful for adversity and affliction for that is what has been able to strengthen me the most!
This week has been such a humbling week for me. My patience has been tested in so many ways. In one particular instance I talked with my companion about how I might be more patient with myself and with others. He pulled out a talk and played it on audio for both of us to listen to. It was titled, "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. As I listened, I really liked this part that he shared which says,
"A BYU student once came to me and asked if we could talk. I said, “Of course. How can I help you?”
She said, “I just don’t get grace.”
I responded, “What is it that you don’t understand?”
She said, “I know I need to do my best and then Jesus does the rest, but I can’t even do my best.”
She then went on to tell me all the things she should be doing because she’s a Mormon that she wasn’t doing.
She continued, “I know that I have to do my part and then Jesus makes up the difference and fills the gap that stands between my part and perfection. But who fills the gap that stands between where I am now and my part?”
She then went on to tell me all the things that she shouldn’t be doing because she’s a Mormon, but she was doing them anyway.
Finally I said, “Jesus doesn’t make up the difference. Jesus makes all the difference. Grace is not about filling gaps. It is about filling us.”
I know that is true. Jesus Christ simply does not make up that difference, He makes all the difference. He has paid the debt in full. We can show our appreciation to him by using His infinite grace to fill our souls with light and strength! I am so grateful for the Savior. I have a testimony that his atonement is not just for those that I share with but it is for myself as well.
So this week had a way cool miracle happen! After our English class on Saturday, we had a meeting with a referral from the zone leaders and his name was Z***. We met with him and he was way engaged in the lesson and just seemed to absorb everything. We shared with him the Book of Mormon and how he could come to know for himself if it was true. He committed to read it every night and ask God if it is true. He will be in China for the next two weeks but we hope to see him when he comes back and continue meeting with him!
This week, we are really going to start getting the ward hyped up about doing missionary work. We want to start with the ward missionaries and slowly branch out to the rest of the ward. We are starting to work a lot more closely with the ward council and make plans on how we might improve and do better. It is going to be an awesome week! Especially since it is Christmas!
I would like to share my testimony but it will be in Mandarin.
我要你们知道，我知道这个教会是真实的。
-石长老
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