Dear Home,
Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement
and prayers on behalf of those near me, I appreciate it.
This past week ended on a weird note. Not a big
deal or even well known but I'm sure its happened to everyone multiple times. It
dealt with people talking behind our back about our efforts. A number of people
that my companion and I knew made comments as well as other people without us
near to do anything in defense or to give reason.
Our first thoughts were of discouragement and
disappointment in our fellow friends. We dwelt on this topic for the night and I
prayed that I could understand the why and what to personally do about it.
When I arose and prayed again I had my answer that
it did not matter. They have been selected to a position and had concerns with
something they could not see. My reaction was not right and I should have
trusted them anyways. There was a quote from Mother Teresa that someone said
once. She said, "Trust those who lie to you, love those who hate you, care for
those who scorn you,..etc. Because it was never between you and them in the
first place, it was between you and God."
I have made it a goal to trust all around me no
matter what and if they take that power so be it, they can deal with God, for
God will not tempt me. Nor you.
I continue to see so many opportunities to grow
everyday while I have been out on the mission and for that reason I don't want
to leave because I can see the good changes in me and the better person I am
becoming through the fire the Lord puts me through. Down here it is a literal
fire...its getting pretty hot, so hot that I now think that 90's is perfect
weather. Whats wrong with me.
I had a really embarrassing moments as I was
riding the bike home at the end of the day around 9 pm. I was trying to
multi-task and drain the left over water in my pack bladder, riding with no
hands and looking to see if my tires were doing okay when someone drove by
yelling "Hail Satan!" I looked up and to the street waving to them, because
that's what I do to everyone that makes a gesture towards me, and took my eyes
off the sidewalk. My bike became attracted to the closest bush and in I went.
The front tire got stuck and with no hands to keep my balance I tried to save
myself somehow. Dirt went flying up and the bush and I became one. Just because
of that those hoodlums kids probably going to try it again to every missionary
they see. Not my proudest moment. But other than that life is great!
I found another favorite scripture as I was
studying the other day in 2 Cor. 1: 24 talking about our purpose as we spread
the gospel, for the edifying of the people. If we don't have anything nice to
say to someone, don't speak. No one should try and tear down another persons
faith but in anyway possible build them up. Who cares about whose wrong, whose
right. Try talking about the things that are right or the common belief you
have. Going about things in the first manner puts up a wall between you and
others, showing the Lord that you don't want to fellowship His sons and
daughters, His children to whom we ALL belong to.
I love you all and hope that you stay cooler than
my. Feel free to send me water from the fresh side of the country, its not the
best down here.
Love Elder Leonhardt
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