Weakness

Dear Family and Friends,

 

This week has been one of miracles and a lot of trial. As is common knowledge, I feel at least, among members of the church we know that the Lord is very good at testing us and trying us in our faith and devotion. I have felt that a lot lately. I am full of weaknesses and my companion and I have talked a lot lately about how serving in Alamo makes you keenly aware of acute weaknesses and really just can tear you down to nothing if you let it. Just a little information about serving in Alamo, we are only allowed to serve here with permission from the chapter. As part of the agreement for us being here we are not allowed to actively proselyte, or in other words we cannot talk to people about the gospel unless we are invited to. That can make it very hard to find people to teach. Service is one great tool that we do have because there are plenty of people that need help. The problem that arises there is that most people need help monetarily more than anything and they often ask us to buy things or donate things. It is part of the culture to some degree. So we have the challenge of befriending people and building up enough trust with them to allow us to enter into their home and teach the word of God.

 

On the opposite end of the spectrum God has a plan in all things. I know that this is his work and not mine! As missionaries in Alamo it is very easy to tell when we are not doing exactly what the Lord wants us to do because nothing works out and we can't even do things that help us look remotely productive when that happens. So when we are obedient and striving to follow the Lord and his counsel we are more or less guided into the celestial kingdom for missionary work. The spirit is the teacher and we are all students. We all are imperfect and weaknesses can either be something that we look at as daunting and scary or as something that encourages us to be better. Everything we do should lead us to be closer to Christ. So if after we have gained a remission of sins and forgiveness for things we have done wrong if we did not still have weakness there would be no room to improve. Take courage that God is showing you little things that you can do better. Know that those little things are "Mysteries" of God's Kingdom. He reveals things by the power of the Holy Ghost and each prompting that we receive is something that will help us. My thing to learn is to be patient. I know that the Lord wants to see each of us succeed and I know that there is so much we can accomplish. As we learn more the Lord reveals more and we are blessed. We are also accountable for the knowledge that we attain so that is why God looks on the heart to find Real Intent. He will never teach us something that will be to our detriment unless we knowingly and willfully choose him for to do so. (an example is the Jews or in our day lying in an interview to get baptized or receive other ordinances.) He loves each of you I know that and He answers prayers. Overcome weaknesses through faith and diligence.

 

I hope you all have great week!

Ayoo' Aniinishni 

 

Elder McGarry

Entering Alamo​

The Little Alamo Chapel :)