54: Habit

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

2 Corinthians 5:17

Another week come and gone. This week was one of those weeks that seemed to feel so fast, and yet so slow at the same time. In all honesty, I really don't feel like I had a good week, even though so many good things happened. We had MLC, and an All-Scotland Zone Conference which were phenomenal. Elder Kopishke, our Area Seventy, came to visit and speak to us and it was unforgettable.

And overwhelming.

It's been on overwhelming past couple of weeks. I've whitewashed into a new area where there really isn't a whole lot of work going on, the place I am living has required a lot of TLC and time to get in good condition, and there are changes happening in the mission built off of what I discussed last week. A big part of MLC and All-Scotland Conference was President addressing disobedience in the mission in light of what has been happening recently. It's hard to hear.

Regardless of these and other factors, I've been trying really hard to be close to the Spirit and to my Heavenly Father. I've been asking him what I am meant to learn from these things happening. I've been studying and pondering and fasting just really searching for what I need to do moving forward.

Yesterday at church I received some answers, as was promised me by Elder Kopishke.

The closing Hymn for the Sacrament Service was "I Know My Father Lives," and the lyrics really pierced me. They are as follows:

"I know my Father lives and loves me too. The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true, and tells me it is true. He sent me here to Earth, by faith to live his plan. The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me that I can, and tells me that I can."

Hymn #302 I Know My Father Lives

Those words were exactly what I needed to hear—I invite you to ponder them. That, along with another experience too personal to share, gave me the strength to continue to act in faith and keep going.

I know that I have Heavenly Parents who are intimately aware of me and who desire my growth. They are helping me to have the experiences I need to in order to become who they know I can become. I know that, through the Spirit and by faith, we can truly find a depth of peace and joy that will sustain us amid anything this life has to throw at us.

It simply is true.

Also, as an ending note, please do all you can to prepare for and watch General Conference this weekend. If you need answers, you can and will find them. President Nelson is the Lord's appointment mouthpiece on the earth today. If we heed his words, along with the other divinely-apppointed leaders of the church, we cannot be led astray no matter what area of our lives the council may address, be it temporal, spiritual, or any other facet. Please, follow the Prophet.

Life is good.

God is wise.

Don't give up.

Elder Childers

My friends Elder Barthel and Elder Draney at All Scotland Conference

The beloved mission home

Homemade Mac and Cheese and Chicken Strips

Stevie from Aberdeen got baptized! So happy for him.