Sorry for the lack or no emails for a while. Hopefully
this emails makes up for all the writing I haven't been doing... And really
there isn't much of an excuse except here in Gresham zone we work hard and play
hard, so p-days are full of fun adventures that don't leave much time for
writing.
Columbia Ward is the Ward of miracles. Here I have found the greatest joy! And it makes me smile and talk to everyone and just feel so happy. As I was reading in Mosiah in the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin (he's a super cool guy) tells the people what an angel told him to share about "the glad tidings of great joy." (Mosiah 3:3) King Benjamin goes on in the rest of the chapter talking about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and how great our joy can be as we continually "yield to the enticing a of the Holy Spirit. (Mosiah 3:19)
I love that! Every day, about 10 hours a day, we go around proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, or the good news and joy that comes from knowing what our Savior has done for me, individually. We share the peace that enters our lives as we accept Christ by following His example and living His gospel. It's done through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by proper priesthood authority, and enduring to the end. It's through living the gospel of Jesus Christ that we develop the character that makes us comfortable and happy living in the presence of God. This "becoming" thing or conversion doesn't happen instantaneously either. It takes a continual, conscious choice to serve the Savior and follow His example.
The Columbia Ward is full of miracles. I already said that. But it's true! And it's true because I finally made that decision to choose to follow the Savior- whatever He asked of me. It took about 10 months on my mission to decide that, but I know that the almost three months I have spent here in Columbia have been the happiest months of my life as I place the Lord and His work first. Missionary work is still hard. I don't think it will ever be easy, but I know I am on the Lord's side.
I know His grace is sufficient for all those that are weak that come to Him. I know that placing my faith in my Savior has helped me overcome fears. I saw how faith replaces fear as an investigator, who hasn't stepped foot outside of her apartment for 10 years, took a piece of hope she had felt from a priesthood blessing, along with her testimony of the Book of Mormon, and went outside in a warm summer rain with us. I saw peace return to a man's broken world as he started the repentance process. Light filled his eyes and hope of a brighter future illuminated his soul. I saw how as we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we become others' tender mercies. I'm still an imperfect servant of the Lord. Every day I still have to choose the Lord's side. But I've realized, as I do, I'm happy, despite what is happening.
My favorite scripture right now is in Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." I have a testimony of grace- the enabling power of Christ's Atonement. I know it's real and works as I've called upon my Heavenly Father in prayer. I know this is His work and it's not finished yet.
I love you all! Thank you for all of the hand-written letters and things!
Love,
Sister Frisch
Columbia Ward is the Ward of miracles. Here I have found the greatest joy! And it makes me smile and talk to everyone and just feel so happy. As I was reading in Mosiah in the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin (he's a super cool guy) tells the people what an angel told him to share about "the glad tidings of great joy." (Mosiah 3:3) King Benjamin goes on in the rest of the chapter talking about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and how great our joy can be as we continually "yield to the enticing a of the Holy Spirit. (Mosiah 3:19)
I love that! Every day, about 10 hours a day, we go around proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, or the good news and joy that comes from knowing what our Savior has done for me, individually. We share the peace that enters our lives as we accept Christ by following His example and living His gospel. It's done through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by proper priesthood authority, and enduring to the end. It's through living the gospel of Jesus Christ that we develop the character that makes us comfortable and happy living in the presence of God. This "becoming" thing or conversion doesn't happen instantaneously either. It takes a continual, conscious choice to serve the Savior and follow His example.
The Columbia Ward is full of miracles. I already said that. But it's true! And it's true because I finally made that decision to choose to follow the Savior- whatever He asked of me. It took about 10 months on my mission to decide that, but I know that the almost three months I have spent here in Columbia have been the happiest months of my life as I place the Lord and His work first. Missionary work is still hard. I don't think it will ever be easy, but I know I am on the Lord's side.
I know His grace is sufficient for all those that are weak that come to Him. I know that placing my faith in my Savior has helped me overcome fears. I saw how faith replaces fear as an investigator, who hasn't stepped foot outside of her apartment for 10 years, took a piece of hope she had felt from a priesthood blessing, along with her testimony of the Book of Mormon, and went outside in a warm summer rain with us. I saw peace return to a man's broken world as he started the repentance process. Light filled his eyes and hope of a brighter future illuminated his soul. I saw how as we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we become others' tender mercies. I'm still an imperfect servant of the Lord. Every day I still have to choose the Lord's side. But I've realized, as I do, I'm happy, despite what is happening.
My favorite scripture right now is in Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." I have a testimony of grace- the enabling power of Christ's Atonement. I know it's real and works as I've called upon my Heavenly Father in prayer. I know this is His work and it's not finished yet.
I love you all! Thank you for all of the hand-written letters and things!
Love,
Sister Frisch
