These past few weeks have been a bit of a roller-coaster for our Elder Monk. He continues to try and be a good example and motivator for a struggling companion and unexpectedly his lovely grandmother passed from this life to the next.
In one of his recent letters he wrote me, he began listing all the trials he has had while being at the MTC. He said that they all just seemed to hit him at once and he was having a difficult time dealing with all of his struggles. For the first time he said he began to feel lonely - but "then out of no where a quote came to my head from Elder Ballard. When answering a question about why life had to be so difficult, he answered, 'because salvation is not a cheap experience.' " Life is not always easy. Life has many difficult times. But we know that all of our trials are for our good and our experience. David also stated in his letter, "how can we expect to stand next to Jesus Christ in the next life, the one who endured more pain and struggles than any other man, and not be expected to have endured trials? We can't. We would shrink because of guilt..." Christ endured more than any of us could ever imagine. He did this because he loved us and in order for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven. How grateful we are for his sacrifice.
David also discussed another outlook on trials and struggles in his most recent letter. He gave me the scripture reference of Mark 6:45-51 and explained that though we have trials in our lives, we are not expected to endure them solely on our own. "Christ watches our struggles, and lets us struggle to an extent, but he will always rescue us int he end, if we have faith." How great is the gospel?!
David has definitely had his share of trials and struggles while serving at the MTC - but he has taken them as great experiences and opportunities to grow from. What a wonderful missionary he is?! We are all so proud of him.
He is VERY, VERY excited to begin serving in San Fernando - 2 1/2 weeks!! Time is flying...
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2 comments:
Thanks for updating the blog. It's fun to see and hear how much Dave is growing in the gospel.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in speaking about how hard missionary work is and has been, said: “I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him
Just thought I would let you know it was Holland not Ballard who said this.
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