Another week has gone and past, and each and every day, Sister Amis reminds me of how much closer it is that our mission will soon be over. I don't like those thoughts but it sure drives me to want to do EVEN more and to dedicate even more of my heart, might, mind and strength!!
One of my favorite things about being in a family ward is the opportunity that I truly have each and everyday to serve, to lift where I stand. Whether it be to clean an overwhelmed young mother's kitchen, to folding 5 baskets of children's laundry, to bearing testimony to a young mother of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to waking up at 3 AM in the morning to decorate for my lovely sister's birthday, the work of Christ is all the same. Christ always lifted where He stood. He was about to go forth to do His Father's will of ministering to the other lost tribes of Israel after he appeared as a resurrected being to the people of the American continent, but instead he paused and lifted where He stood.
"But now I go unto the Father and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Isreal, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them. And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them. And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy." (3 Nephi 17:4-7)
After this, Christ healed all who came unto Him, and then He tarried with them for MUCH longer, chapters after chapters where they continued to instruct and to teach them. BUT FIRST he loved them, he gained their trust, HE CARED FOR THEM first. He did not come to teach them about the sacrament, or to teach them about baptism, just to teach them, but He came to love them first.
My goal for the rest of my mission is to lift where I stand. My goal for the rest of my LIFE is to lift where I stand, and to learn to be a lifelong disciple of Christ. To learn how He would think, learn how He would feel, to learn how He would act, and to learn what He would do in all circumstances.
Fun times this week!
Alrighty, on to some joyous once in a lifetime events of this week! So ya, haters don't hate, judgers don't judge, but WE, the missionaries, got to go watch a movie in the movie theatres this past week!!!!!
Okay, without explanation, that might sound a little apostate, so hear me out! So have you all heard of the new movie produced by the Church, or even more, the FIRST EVER MOVIE produced by the church that is being played in the movie theatres? Meet the Mormons made it's way to Minnesota and on Saturday, we gotta bring some of our investigators to go watch the movie/documentary, right in the nick of time for Sister Amis' birthday. Wow, that sure was a fun treat, and an once in a lifetime missionary opportunity.
But it amazes me over and over again of how a real life movie of six different real life Mormons around the world have the opportunities to share a little of what we believe in, who we are, how we live our lives, and what our faith means to us, on the big movie screens. It was indeed an inspirational movie. Shar and Robby, you should go check it out in Philly! Because of our faith, I literally feel like I have a tie to ALL these people, with all walks of life and all different backgrounds and cultures. From the Mormon infested grounds of Salt Lake City Utah, to the hidden, mysterious tall Himalayan mountains of Nepal, Mormons are everywhere and we are all united in the same faith. It is beautiful to see! We truly are a part of a world wide family, a world wide family of God.
Have a blessed week everyone! Smile all the while and turn to help someone in need today!
Love,
Sis Pao!
