Week 17

September 7, 2022

Time slows when we want it to pass quickly, and it quickens when we want it to last. But when you're a missionary, its at a constant double time. You hardly have enough time to get everything done.


Throughout this past week, I've picked up on the frequent theme of love. Specifically, charity.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
   5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
   6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
   7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

This is something that i continue to work on. To have love for everyone, to be patient, to think no evil whatsoever, and to endure well, specifically.

With utmost thankfulness, we have the Atonement of our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ, who prepared the way for us to repent and better ourselves everyday. Only through His atonement, as well as our own efforts, can we change to become someone better.

Something specifically i want to touch up on is forgiveness. Resentment, grudges, and other such feelings, are plagues to our hearts. Nothing good has ever come from ill will towards others. To withhold forgiveness is to hold whatever pain you've felt, and to refuse to let it go. In the long run, you will suffer most from this plague.
Forgive and forget. Move on. Life is too short and too difficult to add on too our already full plates.

Make sure also to forgive yourself. Do not hold yourself to impossible tasks or expectations. Take a break when you need to. Breath for a minute and recollect your thoughts. You're not perfect. Nobody is. Do what you feel is enough, and then just a little more. Push your self, but rest too. Set apart time to do something you enjoy. Take care of your body. It is a temple given from God.

These are the things I wish to share this week, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

~ Elder Owens


Pictures
Us with some kids.

Playing card games with members
Waiting in traffic with our best taxi driver, Alan: never on time, but dang cheap

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