Dear Family & Friends~
I'm happy to see that Isaac is up and walking around (Mom interjecting: his cousin, Isaac had a nasty fall in Yosemite National Park and spent several days in the ICU). His neck and body brace seem like a whole lot of fun to wear, but at least he is out of the hospital and doing well. I saw the picture of him playing video games and grew slightly jealous, especially because I recognized it as a game that I definitely wanted to play before I left; however, it can wait and so can I. Tell him that I wish him the best and that I'm glad to know that he is okay.
Just yesterday I finished reading JESUS THE CHRIST. I'm definitely glad that I took the time and read it rather than give up a quarter of the way through like the last time I started. As I read through it, I came to understand a little more of what it means to believe in Christ. The only way I can compare it or give an adequate idea for my thoughts is this: sometimes in a very dire situation, such as one dealing with sports where one team is down with a few minutes remaining in the game, yet they are the team who so greatly desires to win and they have a player on that team who has always come through and helped the team to gain victory. You believe in this individual and even if there are only a few seconds left in the game, you trust that this person is going to make a difference and help your team to win. You never give up on this person or their team. You have the ultimate faith that no matter what happens, they are going to come out on top. As I pondered the many events in the Savior's life, I began to see Him as the one that always came through and as one who turned every seeming loss into an incredible victory. As all odds were set against Him, He overcame the opposition and won. Through Him, nothing is impossible.
Ena is doing well and she continues with her studies and still has great desires to join the Church. We need to continue to support her and I feel that if we do she will be able to be baptized next month.
Last thing, which I have found to be somewhat odd, especially considering my exhausting last few weeks, was something I found as I was studying Preach My Gospel the other day. Going off of the scripture in 2 Nephi 2:25 where it says that "Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy", Preach My Gospel said that God said our purpose while on earth is to have joy. We are to be joyous. Our purpose here isn't to be sad, or negative, or down-trodden all the time (although we do experience these things regardless), but our purpose is to be joyous. The only way to truly be joyous is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And so, through Christ, we can always have joy.
Mosiah 2:41
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
Mosiah 4:11-12
"And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and His goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel."
"And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of Him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true."
I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful week! Talk to you next week :)
Love~
Austin
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