I survived another week! We had some ups and downs, miracles and disappointments! Such is life. We're given experiences to learn and grow and learn and grow some more. Whenever I feel too comfortable or too confident, I am presented with another opportunity to choose what kind of person I want to be.
Last Monday we went fishing! This is one of those times where I was presented with the opportunity to choose what kind of person I want to be, and I've decided that I will not be the kind of person who FISHES! I caught one, but I felt horrible putting the live crickets on the hook. And I got sunburned. Nope, not for me!
We had a neat experience with our investigator Danielle. We went to visit her at work (she cares for a less active man's special needs sister). We were getting ready to leave when out of nowhere she confronts this man about the fact that he doesn't go to church. She was like "why are you letting other people keep you from the blessings of God?" (he says he doesn't like that people gossip at church or something like that). It was a pretty intense conversation, but I think it was good. For all who were involved. I'm proud of Danielle for how much she's grown! Her courage inspired me to be more bold as a missionary. What do I have to lose besides the opportunity to bless someone's life!
General Conference was awesome! A little overwhelming, but still wonderful! We were the only ones in the church building watching it because everyone else was watching it at home! I need to reread all the talks a lot more slowly to get more out of them. I loved the exhortation to all families to study from Preach My Gospel! How cool is that!? I would love to receive emails with insights from your studies in that book. I'll try my best to include my insights from this point on.
So I guess I'll close with what I've been studying and my testimony! I've really been studying up on the role that agency plays in every aspect of our lives. Every moment of every day we are given the gift to choose happiness or to choose misery. With every choice come a consequence and while we get to make our own choices, we don't get to decide the consequences. I've been trying to be more conscientious about my choices and the effects that they have on myself and others. I'm trying to focus on the choices that will bring me lasting happiness as opposed to temporary pleasure. I know that our Heavenly Father has given us this gift so we can learn these lessons for ourselves. I'm grateful that He provided our Savior, Jesus Christ, because He knew we would struggle and make bad choices. I'm grateful for the relief from guilt and emotional burdens his sacrifice gives me when I choose to turn to him. I pray that you all will ponder what effects your choices make on yourselves and your families. My hope is for all of us to enjoy eternal happiness together! Free of sickness, pains, and regrets. I love you and am so grateful for your examples and love.
Love,
Sister McElderry
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