Missions Are So Hard But So Fun.

Buenas tardes, mis amores. Les quiero muchísimo.

Well, I always heard that missions were hard. I always thought that people just meant that it was hard because of homesickness or missing out with friends, feeling behind in life (work or school) compared to all the other kids your age.

This is not why missions are hard. Missions are hard because it's so hard to get people to church, it's so hard to get them to read the Book of Mormon, and it's so hard for them to pray about it (the church, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, etc.).

And why, why is it so hard? Temptation. Lately, I've been blaming it all on Satan (which it is, but I'll explain). But this week, I learned something very interesting I've just never thought about.

It's not Satan. It's them. At the end of the day, it's our agency. They have two choices: to choose us and God or choose the temptation and the devil. They always go with the easy way, the comfortable way.

In life, we always have two choices, and we can choose what is right or what is wrong. The devil only affects our choice; he doesn't force anyone, neither does God. They only affect you in your choice.

Feel the spirit, know it's TRUE, choose to believe and join the true church, or they can be tempted and choose not to follow the covenant path.

Faith is action. We can't have faith without works. If you really believe in God and love Him with all your heart, mind, and strength, you will use your faith to follow Him and take up your cross.

You can't just believe to have faith. Faith is action.

And if I don't love God with all my heart, mind, and strength, then what am I doing? Think about that. If you don't love God with all your heart, mind, and strength, then what are you doing? What is your purpose, and what is your time being expended to do?

I've found that my happiest moments here on Earth have been on behalf of serving God, my mission.

As you're all venturing in the world, doing your thing, I want you to think about your happiest times before you make a decision if it's TRUE or not. No one can make your decision but you. Satan can't, God can't, I can't, your parents can't. ONLY YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOUR AGENCY?

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh, and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil, for he seeks that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

What are you going to do with your agency?

I promise it's not a hoax; it's TRUE, it's all true. And I know that God loves you all. I know that He knows you all individually. He knows you by name, knows what you're going through, knows what your needs are, and knows how to help you. He loves you. You are His child. His love surrounds you. Everything is evidence of God's love.

I felt God's love this week when a dog came into sacrament. As I'm discouraged that no one will come to church, a random dog named Brownie walks in and sits by the chairs and stays the whole meeting, walking around sniffing and licking people. And that's when I realized that God loves me still. People just have agency. What are you going to do with your agency?

Almost got bit by a dog; my hand almost got chomped (always a safety hazard).

Met some guy who told us he just wants to kill everyone.

Gave myself a hickey on my eyelid from a pimple sucking machine.

Dog came to church.

Lots of spirituality.

SPILT HOT CHOCOLATE ALL OVER ME.

Prayed with some lady whose son died three hours earlier.

Found an abandoned plane.

Went to a preaching of some other church. They just don't have the fullness, and they don't know where to look.