Week 45

March 22, 2023

Hellooooo... not too much happened this week. We did a service project on Thursday and for about 4 hours we moved around 750 cinder blocks, we were very tired that day. Then Friday we had to get up at 3 in the morning to take a bus up to the capital for zone conference, we were also very tired that day. Sunday was good, my companion and I were each able to give a talk in sacrament meeting. We had some really good lessons on Monday and yesterday we were able to organize a soccer activity for the youth, and we had a really good turn out, it was really fun. Not much else other than that.

Been trying out cooking, guess I'm not as bad as I thought.

Been trying to learn a few things on the piano seeing there's a keyboard in the house.

I want to try to learn something new on my bass.

Learned how to hand wash clothes;

# trial by fire

I want to try drawing a little more often as well, or at least start on a project.

Trying to always be busy, even in my free time.

Spiritual thought:

I've been thinking a lot on what it means to build a foundation on Christ. I've noticed recently that there's a lot of missionaries going home early. Not like a majority, but the number is higher than it used to be. Also, there's a big problem with discouragement in today's missionaries, myself included. Not just missionaries, but the youth. We're not receiving a lot of missionaries, the youth we work with don't want to go on missions. The problem is that Satan and his minions have gotten very good at their jobs, and they know very well how to lead us off the right path. In today's world, we are relentlessly bombarded with bad news, negatively, hatred, seclusion, exclusion, etc. And what makes it more difficult, is that the majority of people are falling into this pit of discouragement, and it becomes much harder to persevere to the end when it seems like you're walking that difficult path alone (take note on how I said it seems, and not that you are walking alone). I've walked both paths. I know what it's like to live a discouraged life, with little to no hope for the future; and I know what it's like to walk on the road that leads to the tree of life (1 Nephi chapters 8 & 11). Let me tell you a secret. Both paths are very difficult to follow, but at least on the right path, you know where you're going, you know what lies at the end, you know the reward that awaits you, and more importantly, you know who's walking alongside you, to lift, support, and guide you. You're fighting for something, rather than nothing. Do not let Satan deceive you.The scriptures say that in the last days the devil will trick even the very elect themselves (paraphrased). Every single day Satan has tried ceaselessly and relentlessly to convince me that my efforts are for nothing, that the prize I strive for doesn't exist, that I can't do it, that I should give up, give in. I've been threatened, made fun of, lied to, cheated, ripped off, laughed at, exploited, mocked, harassed, ignored, rejected, discriminated, exhausted, beaten, broken, worn down, trodden upon, discouraged, depressed, sick, afflicted, wounded, torn, and so much more.

And you know what

I suffer such tribulation willingly. With a smile, a chip on my shoulder, every day with a stronger determination, stronger will, even knowing that I'll fall. Not just sometimes, but a lot.

When you fall, your enemies will point, and scorn, and exercise any method and mode in an attempt to stop you. They only win as soon as you let them. So you brush the dust off of your knees, you shoulder your pack, grit your teeth, wipe away the blood, sweat, and tears, and you move forward, even if you have to crawl. Because until you succumb to the enemy or you cross that finish line, you're not done yet.

There's only one person who has ever crossed that finish line. And that One is The Lamb of God, even Jesus Christ. It is through Him only, that we can make it to the finish.

The ONLY way you make it to the finish is by putting your faith in Him, and the ONLY way you don't make it, is because in one way or another, Satan has won over your heart.

I falter and I waver, I stumble and I fall, but the ONLY reason that I haven't stopped, is because

"I KNOW IN WHOM I HAVE TRUSTED." (2 Nephi 4: 19)

Anyone who makes it, has trusted Christ.

Anyone who doesn't, hasn't trusted Christ.

Whether or not you make it to the finish depends on whether or not your foundation lies in Christ.

We learn in primary as children, the wise man builds his house upon the rock, and the foolish man builds his house upon the sand. When the rains came down, and the floods came up, and the winds blew upon the houses: the house of the wise man stood solid upon the rock, and the house of the foolish man washed away.

Are you the wise man who builds his house upon the Rock that is Christ, or are you the foolish man who builds his house on anything else, which is the sand.

Whether or not you make it to the finish depends completely on you. It's a yes, or a no.

If you have any questions on what lies at the finish, or how to get there, please. I implore you to either write me a message or contact your local missionaries. We are eager and more than willing to help you find answers.

I'm going to cross that finish line, and I truly hope to see every single one of you there. I love all of you and I desire the eternal welfare of your souls. He will not hesitate to help you, if you but ask.

I know these things to be true. The words I have written are recorded both here on the Earth and in the Heavens above, and anyone who wishes to blame their ill-being upon me, will have to answer to this testimony. I share so, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

~ Elder Owens

Photos