The New Year

The best part about this week was New Years! We I didn't have the experience of being in a war zone, but New Years day was pretty sweet. We weren't allowed to be out and about until 4:30pm (you know those drunk/sleeping people) so, we had an activity in Scottsdale at a church building with another zone. So answer me this, what happens when 2 zones get together on a non-proselyting morning/afternoon? We play gatorball. And basketball. For 5 hours. Yep, best day EVER! And I was one of the goalies in gatorball which was pretty nice because I could use most (not all) of my defensive water polo skills. Remind me to teach you all how to play this game (if you don't know already) because it's pretty awesome!

New Years Eve was pretty nice as well. We were able to have a lesson with our recent convert, Manny, where we talked about the importance of scripture study. He just finished the Book of Mormon! And he absolutely loved it! It makes me so happy to see the joy on others' faces when they discover how amazing the Book of Mormon truly is! I've discovered, on my mission, that people become less-active or completely turn away from the church, when they don't read the Book of Mormon, pray, or attend church. I'm blown away by how simple it is to live the Gospel. When we pray, we know that Heavenly Father loves us. When we read the Book of Mormon, our knowledge of his love increases. And when we go to church, we see that love for us through partaking of the sacrament and being nourished by the good word of God. It's that knowledge that gives us our desire to keep the commandments and to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. That knowledge comes through reading the scriptures and ESPECIALLY the Book of Mormon. 

The Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ. It's another Testament that he is our Savior and Redeemer. And it's another Testament of God's abiding and unconditional love for his children. Wait, who are his children? Oh yeah! It's US! We are the literal sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father and he wants us to return to live with him again! So, yeah! It's worth sacrificing a few minutes a day to read the scriptures! It's worth sacrificing the Super Bowl (there is such a thing as recording it) and going to church. It's worth sacrificing our time, talents and interests to return to live with God and OUR FAMILIES again! It's worth the sacrifice because, honestly, there was someone who sacrificed more. There was someone who sacrificed his LIFE so that we could return to live with our Heavenly Father again. There was someone who gave us EVERYTHING that we have. And when we desecrate a day that has been set aside to remember him, we are no better than the Pharisees that spat in his face. 

I love my Savior. I am so grateful for his Atonement because, even though I am certainly NOT perfect, I'm given every chance that I need to return to him. And I love the sacrament. It's one of the biggest blessings that we have or ever will be given because it is the physical representation, and holds the cleansing power, of the Atonement. I am so grateful for the opportunity to partake of it every week and to feel that cleansing EVERY WEEK. It's freeing.

I love you all so much and am so grateful to be serving a mission. It's been one of the most rewarding and happy experiences that I have ever had. I hope you all have a wonderful week and that you know that I'm praying for each and every one of you. Hasta Luego!

Steph