This week we got to go on exchanges with the AP's, it was so
fun! We didn't do any teaching, but were still very productive. There is
this investigator in Tallahassee that they found just days before we got
there who had been praying to find something to change his life, and up
come the missionaries! We did service in
this guys yard for like 6 hours! We built a massive fence, cleared
trees, and leveled out like 2 tons of dirt. There were like 6
missionaries there helping out, and it still took us that long. While we
were working, the AP's took him to the side and taught him a little
more, and we found out yesterday that he is now going to get baptized! He has such a neat story; it was a pleasure to meet him! Plus the
service was a blast; for some reason I love getting out of the white
shirt and tie and putting in the dirty work, it's fun!
Well, I have made it. I'm passed half way. It's so crazy to think that I
have already been out for a year. Other missionaries were right when
they said that days feel like weeks, and weeks feel like days. I feel
like I have been out for so long but I also feel like I got here just
yesterday. I am so incredible thankful for each and everyday that I have
been out serving the Lord, yes even the terrible ones. The mission has
had it's ups and has had it's downs, I have had a lot of tears because of
sadness and also because of joy but I am thankful for the trials that I
have had, if things weren't hard, we wouldn't ever grow! This past year
has completely changed my life forever! Even though I am no where near
where I would like to be and I feel like I have so much more to learn
and do, I have grown so much! It is amazing what can happen when you
turn your life over to the Savior, he will refine you and turn you into
something better. I have learned so much about this amazing gospel, it
is so true! I have had so many experiences where I have seen the Lord's
hand and too many spiritual impressions to ever deny the fact that this
is Christ church on the earth today, I know it without a doubt in my
mind! I have seen people who have such bad lives that could be changed
just by simply doing what the Lord asks, but they don't, and it makes me
so sad! Everything in this world could be fixed if we would just live
the gospel. Some people say that the gospel is hard, and it is at first,
but it gets easier and easier, and soon enough it gets hard to not live
it. The blessings that come from living the gospel are truly worth any
sacrifice! The gospel isn't to restrict us or keep us from having fun,
but it is merely to help us to have long and happy lives. I don't know
where I would be without the gospel, and I know that it is because of
the Savior and his gospel that I am the person that I am today. I am
looking forward to this next half of the mission; I know that there are
going to be ups and downs again, but I also know that the Lord has so
much in store for me and that I am going to grow even more! I can now
say that I know for a fact that the Book of Mormon is true. I know how
much it has helped me and brought me peace and comfort in my life, and I
know it can do the same for anyone who reads it, so read it! You will
not regret it!
Thank you for all your support that y'all give to me, I really
appreciate it! I hope you know that I love and care for each one of you! I hope that y'all have a great week and enjoy reading the Book of Mormon (;
Elder Schipaanboord
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