Hello, everybody!
First off, it's December!!!! Wow, the month that we've all been waiting for, ever since one of the Mayans said thousands of years ago:
"Hey, Akish, I just got the best prank idea I think I've ever had......" (he was probably a Lamanite.....)
Anyway,
Mayans aside, happy early birthday to my dear, sweet, wonderful Mother,
on December 12th, as well as to my good friend Shannon, whose birthday
is the same date (that's why it's so easy to remember!).
Also, things are going rather well here in
Maranguape. The work's been a bit slow recently, but this week things
started picking up. We are really focused on reactivating members, and
especially families, and looking as well for part-member families. If
all of the members in this area were active, we would seriously be close
to having a stake here:) So, there's a lot....lots of work to do!
I can't believe how quickly the time passes! In less
than 9 months, I will be home......wow, just the thought makes me want
to get out and work harder while I still can!
So,
recently, Heavenly Father has been guiding my thoughts to more healthy
thoughts and ideas. I am realizing more and more every day how much I am
so focused on things that aren't so important. Well, they're important,
but they are definitely "beyond the mark". I realized that I am focused
so much on results, and measuring my value and success on results, and
things happening, and people being baptized, and this, and that, and
etc, etc, etc. Yet, those things aren't the most important things. I
seem to convince myself that something is wrong because things aren't
running perfect, whereas, duh, things aren't going to run perfectly most
of the time because I'm not perfect!
came across a quote that helped me, and continues
to help me to refocus on the most important things. It's by Elder D.
Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He said: "True
success in this life comes in consecrating our lives - that is, our
time and choices - to God's purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to
raise us to our highest destiny." What a stress-reducing thought! I
cannot force people to accept our message, and I don't need to
over-worry if people don't. Not even Heavenly Father forces people, and
He is perfect. So, instead of focusing on results and numbers and
baptisms, I need to focus on doing my very best, and remember that my
very best is good enough for Him. Because, that's really all I can do!
My best! I can't give more than that, so there's no use in trying to
force myself to give more than that!
It's also good to remember why I am really here on a
mission, or even a member of the Church for that matter. Because it's
true:) And that faith is not dependent on outcomes. Our faith is not
dependent on miracles if that is not what the Lord sees fit for us. They
will happen, but nearly always in a way that we don't anticipate or
expect.
Another good thought: "Are you serving time, or are you serving the Lord?" Puts things into a better perspective, huh?
Another:
"Are you striving for perfection, or are you allowing the Savior to
perfect you?" I spent about two or three weeks thinking about that one:)
Anyway, I gotta go, but I love you all, and I am so
grateful for this chance to learn and to grow, and to greater understand
why I am here, not just in the mission, but here on the Earth! The Plan
of Salvation truly is a comforting and an inspiring truth. Isn't it
good to know that our perfect Father in Heaven has a perfect plan for us
imperfect people?
I love you all so very much!
With all my heart,
Elder Reid Powell Empey
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