I am sorry that I haven't posted anything recently! I have been so busy up here in Williston! It is not a describable place. It is like any other small country town, but It has been filled with so many trucks and outlined with trailers and apartments. It's almost like a peanut with a shell of oil workers and an inside of old town folk. The population has exploded from about 18 thousand (I think) to way over 30 thousand (I think) in the past couple of decades (I think). Could someone please look that up for me? My dad also just informed me that Williston is currently the #1 most expensive place in the USA to rent an apartment right now. WOW I'm actually at the top of a list for once in my life!
I'll share one thing this week. When I got the call to come to Williston, I received an assignment with more responsibility than I've had through the rest of my mission. As I travelled from Casper, I thought a lot about my new assignment. I have observed other missionaries perform this assignment, and I felt that I was incapable of carrying it out very well. Well, I was right, but there's more! We were listening to music on the way up, and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" came on. The lyrics are:
The line that stood out to me is "He lives, my Savior, still the same." I know that Jesus Christ suffered all of our pains when He performed the Atonement (Isaiah 53:3-5). However, I felt it in a deeper sense than I ever have before. I know that He is exactly the same today as He was the second after He rose from the dead. As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my duty is to represent the Savior in all that I do, and perform whatever actions he would if he were in my position. Therefore, He knows exactly how I felt when I received this assignment. To be like Jesus Christ, especially on a larger scale as I am assigned to do now, is very overwhelming. I was so worried that I would fall short, but when I heard this song, I was comforted. The Atonement is not a far distant event for our Savior. He does not look back on it like we might on an instance of traumatic pain in our lives. The sense of agony is still perfectly vivid in the memory of the Lamb of God. Right now, He exists and can perfectly tune in to our trials. The stress of my responsibilities is something that He can relate to as if He were in my shoes right now, and the same connection with Him is available to everyone today. You can receive strength from above. Get on your knees daily and confess your weaknesses before God. Plead with Him with all of your heart for help. He will not leave you on your own. I have heard this so many times, but to experience it so strongly was a new experience for me. I know that we can receive grace from our Lord as we humble ourselves and strive to serve Him with every ounce of our heart. This is the testimony that God has given me, and I want everyone else to be able to experience it as well. I'll share one thing this week. When I got the call to come to Williston, I received an assignment with more responsibility than I've had through the rest of my mission. As I travelled from Casper, I thought a lot about my new assignment. I have observed other missionaries perform this assignment, and I felt that I was incapable of carrying it out very well. Well, I was right, but there's more! We were listening to music on the way up, and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" came on. The lyrics are:
1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.
2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.
3. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.
4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
Matthew 11:28-30:
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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