Romans 1:15-16
I never thought that I'd serve in Rome to tell the truth.
Ha-ha, just goes to show that that's how the Lord works -- what you don't
expect, is what he gives you.
I still don't know how I feel about being assigned to serve as an
assistant. I guess I'll figure it out as we go, like they say here
"vedendo facendo". I'm sure that it will teach me very much and
that I'll have great opportunities. I'm excited to be able to spend so
much time with and be so close to President Kelly.
I am however, really bummed to leave Messina. I have really
developed a love for the people here, members, non-members and everybody in
between. =P 7.5 months in a city is a long time and you can make a lot
happen in those 7 months. I've had the privilege to see 6 people baptized
and 3 reactivated. Our English course has grown a lot and they are all
great people. The list just goes on and on.
Life brings change and now I have all my bags packed and ready to
go. We're going to say goodbye to the last couple of people and then we
have to take a bus to Catania so I can take a night bus to Rome and I'll get
there tomorrow morning at 6.
This week has been a week of lasts and goodbyes. It is really
incredible how strong of a love you can develop in such a short amount of time
while you are serving. You always hear people say, "I
absolutely love the people in the country where I served." And up
until now I didn’t understand it.... but now I do. If you give 100% like
it says in D&C
4, not only does the Lord make miracles happen but he also makes something
incredible happen inside of you. Like it says in Mosiah 4 our
very natures are changed and if we allow it to happen, we become more like him.
I don't want to sound like I’m boasting but it's something that I’ve seen
in me and many other missionaries.
This week I’ve been studying a lot, what it means to have a pure
heart, and how to obtain a pure heart. From what I’ve found, the key is
to be humble. Once we humble ourselves enough, then we can be instruments
for the Lord. It is then, while He is using us, that our natures are
changed. Then, like it says in the scriptures, we receive a new heart, a
purer heart.
It's interesting how like in Psalms it says, only those who have
clean hands and a pure heart can ascend to the hill of the Lord. We focus
very much on the clean hands part but not enough on the pure heart part. Many
people are worried about doing what’s right and being saved, but very few
people work on BECOMING better. I feel like this is the next step. It’s
like going from college ball to the pros. This is what will qualify us
for eternal life.
Say hello to everyone, I love you, and wish you well. Make
sure to keep writing me, don't forget about me =P You’re the best.
=)
Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--
"Look inside yourself, you're more than what you've become.
Remember who you are." The Lion King
Anziano Stewart
P.S. As far as classes go, if
it's not too much of a pain, could you handle it, I have permission to do it
but I don’t like to think about these kind of things... The classes that
I’d like are Chem 105, ExSc 320, Psych 111, Rel C 325 (with your seminary
teacher from Logan as the prof.), PdBio 120, and Civ 1. Let me know
what you say/think.
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