July 6, 2014
Hello Everyone!
Best week ever!! The Palo family got baptized!! It was one of the best days of my mission. I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to help this family. Sister Palo's testimony was the best. She said that since they have been coming to church, her kids don't fight anymore, and they don't use bad words in their home anymore, and her husband has started doing family prayer with them when he is home. I have seen so many miracles happen to this family, and I just love them with my whole soul.
This week was also really long. We were in Tacloban for 4 days for MLC and then me and my batch flew to Manila for one day to go get our visas and stuff processed and finger printed and stuff. We ate at Wendy’s and Krispy Kreme at the airport. It made me kinda sick. haha I think I'm going to have a little rough time adjusting back to the food in America.
It was so weird flying. I think they were just preparing us more to go home. I have been to Manila way more times than I ever expected I would be there on my mission.
Our new mission president, President Maurer and his Wife are so cool! They are really really nice, and really funny. I miss President Andaya, but I know that the Maurers' are what the mission needs now. They will do a great job!
It was weird going to my last MLC. We were talking about things that won't change until I'm home. It was really interesting.
Last night, we got a text from our relief society president that told us to meet them at a family's house that has recently gone inactive. We met them there. We sat down to teach, and the sister had a meltdown. She had also been drinking earlier that day. As she was holding her sick screaming baby, telling us how naughty her kids were, and how she was sick of getting mad at them, and sick of not having money and fighting with her husband, I had a little conversation to myself with the spirit as I was watching what seemed like a drama show. I was so sad for this family who was baptized only last year. But, I realized yesterday the "why" of the gospel. It's so we can have spiritual homes. It's so we cannot fight with our family. And not have to drink to solve our problems. And not have to live in poverty. I know that sometimes, bad things just happen. But more often than not, those trials are self- inflicted because of our disobedience. Don't get me wrong, I love this family with my whole soul, and I'm not judging this woman. I understand why she is the way she is, and why she does the things she does, and Heavenly Father still loves her. But, I also understand that obedience to the commandments is necessary for our daily happiness and peace.
This ward has taught me so much. And it makes me sad to see them not keeping the commandments-- Even just the simple ones. But, I know that everyone can change through the atonement. That's the "how" of the gospel.
I love you all, and I know that exact obedience sets us free to live lives of peace and happiness. The best thing about the gospel is that it really does work. Heavenly Father really is real. We really have important things to do in this earth life.
I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that he suffered for our infirmities and insecurities, and weaknesses. So that we could overcome them and become the people we were destined to be. So that we could awake and arise from the dust, and be his disciples, only having desires to work righteousness.
I say these things, in the name of my savior who I love with my whole soul, even Jesus Christ, Amen
Love, Sister Bingham
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