Week 13

Hey everyone! 

I hope you had a good week. I dont really have much time to write, but ill just share a quick thought from President Uchtdorf that my mom shared with me a few weeks back:

"I testify that when we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better.

This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow. We all know of faithful followers of Christ who suffer tragedy and injustice—Jesus Christ Himself suffered more than anyone. Just as God makes the “sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” He also allows adversity to test the just and the unjust. In fact, sometimes it seems that our lives are more difficult because we are trying to live our faith.

No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest.

You will experience the sublime fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, [and] faith.”

These spiritual fruits are not a product of temporal prosperity, success, or good fortune. They come from following the Savior, and they can be our faithful attendants even in the midst of the darkest storms.

The fires and tumults of mortal life may threaten and frighten, but those who incline their hearts to God will be encircled by His peace. Their joy will not be diminished. They will not be abandoned or forgotten.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,” the scriptures teach, “and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Those who heed the inner call and seek God, those who pray, believe, and walk the path the Savior has prepared—even if they stumble along the path at times—receive the consoling assurance that “all things shall work together for [their] good.”

For God “gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again."

I just love this. I especially love the part that says our trials and afflictions won't automatically be removed when we follow Christ. I testify that God will not always allow our lives to be perfect and how we want them to be. He allows us to go through hard things as our faith is tested. If we call upon our Heavenly Father in our trials he will help us every step of the way. I have seen this manifest in my life many times. If we can just humble ourselves and trust in him, he will comfort us through hard times.

All is well here in Peru, I love you all and have a great week!!

Elder Bailey