Week 23: The Refiner's Fire
Hello everyone! Just wanted to say thank you for all the love, support, and kind messages I got from so many of you this past week. I really needed them and I appreciated all of them so much. All of it really helped me get through the week. This past week was definitely better, and I know it will continue to get better. I know it all just takes time and effort.
Some highlights from my week though... Om Oun got baptized on Sunday and it was amazing! I really felt the Spirit as he bore his testimony after his baptism. He was so happy and looked so at peace. I can't say it enough, but seeing someone get baptized is such a joy and blessing. I also got to go on an exchange with my beautiful father (trainer) this week, Elder Schofield, and it was such a good time. Literally just felt like a normal day of missionary work because he was literally with me last week, hahaha. We had a good time, lots of jokes and laughs.
This week I have really been reflecting on how I can be better as a missionary and just do what I can to give what I have to the Lord. I definitely have a lot I need to work on, but I watched a talk this week called "The Refiner's Fire" by James E. Faust. In it he says, "The Divine Shepherd has a message of hope, strength, and deliverance for all. If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless." Without the bad we can't appreciate the good. We must take on all the struggles and challenges in our lives to truly be able to understand and appreciate the best times of our lives. In Ether 12:6 it says, "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Ye receive no witness until AFTER the trial of your faith. I know at times we can really be struggling and feel like we can't go any longer. Sometimes we want to give up. But when we keep pushing and take the hard times as opportunities to learn and grow, that is when our faith will grow the most. That is when we will be able to feel great joy and receive blessings from Heavenly Father. Keep pushing. Don't give up! I miss you and love you all so much.
Love,
Elder Mendenhall
📸 All the photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bgcnr25uJdQ1sYcY9
A sampling:
