I finally received my new assignment to serve! I have been called to go to the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission!!!
That's pretty much all that I know as of right now other than my estimated leave date, which is the 24th of June. I am supposed to receive official details at any time. I am very excited to get back out and continue! This mission takes up the entire southern tip of Florida as well as the key which stretches into its islands. I am pretty sure that the mission is English-speaking but I have been told that I will have many opportunities to use Spanish. It will be interesting to adapt to a new mission-like environment. I expect it to be quite different from Mexico City. I will send one last email before I go back out and after that I will be a missionary again!!!
This quick message that I will share with all of you regards the love of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that they do love us! Our Father in Heaven loves us so much that He gave us the opportunity to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. Our Heavenly Father has also given us the ability to choose for ourselves. He gives us direction through His faithful prophets and apostles. He has blessed us with the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon. That and the Bible are very useful tools on our path back to the Father! We can learn more of the scattering and gathering of Israel as we read the Book of Mormon and Bible in harmony. The Bible shares the wonderful information about the House of Israel and the different tribes. We can find our purpose in the scriptures by reading about our responsibilities as members of the tribes of Israel. Many of us share the responsibilities of the gathering of Israel! And what a responsibility that is!!! Our Heavenly Father has given to us our bodies, that we may come here to gain experience and progress to become like our Heavenly Father and our Savior. There are countless examples of our Heavenly Father's love manifested towards us. The greatest example of love is our Heavenly Father's and our Savior's sacrifice. We have been given the Atonement. We may use that gift to better our lives and look for comfort. Heavenly Father gave His only begotten Son to atone for all of our sins. That is how we can know that we are loved by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They work in perfect harmony for the welfare of us! They are selfless and full of charity. They are the examples that we should strive to follow. Always remember to look for advice and counsel from prophets and from the Lord! Please stay away from things of the world that can lead you away from the truth. Stay away and aware of the things that will create negative feelings such as sadness, drama, anger, jealousy, lust, vengeful thinking, or anything of that sort. Do not value the world's advice over the advice of our own prophets and apostles. Turn to them and the scriptures and prayer when you find yourself full of doubt, fear, and anguish. Find support from your family and friends! We have people in our lives for specific reasons. Our Father in Heaven made us so that we interact. And by His perfect design, He has placed loved ones into our lives for situations that He knew we would have to face. And when you think no one understands you, just remember that the Savior always will because of what He did for us. There are too many negative assumptions about people or situations. Please stay away from those and do not be involved with gossip or evil behavior that is not in harmony with the standards of the Lord's church. Always look for the good and be hopeful of the future! People are good. The light of Christ dwells in any individual who is alive, because that is what actually gives life! It is in all things and round about all things. So if someone is still living here on the earth, then there is still hope for them! It is often obvious that the light of Christ may be buried further in some individuals, but as the light of Christ remains in them, that is Heavenly Father giving them opportunity after opportunity to change and become better. Love and the Atonement are the cure for all things! As we access and seek the special Spirit on our own time, we can better feel the Savior's comfort and His love. Above all, remember to love others as the Savior would. Often, words and the special bonds you create go farther than actions. Have that pure love of Christ which is charity. Bless them that curse you and do good to them that hate you. There is never a reason to be unforgiving, vengeful, bitter, full of lust for others' possessions, prideful, or jealous of others. I know that becoming like our Savior is not easy. It's not supposed to be easy. But it is possible! Otherwise we wouldn't be here. We are here for a purpose and that is to become like our Heavenly Father and His Son. We can do so as we love as they would. So always remember where we should put our trust! Always remember how much our Father in Heaven and His Son love us. Take care and never forget who you are!! I love hearing about how each of you are doing! We will talk soon!
-Blake Markham
No comments:
Post a Comment