Hello Everyone!
Not that much that happened this week, other than general
conference (where all the church leaders get together and do a broadcast of a
bunch of different talks that is super spiritual and way uplifting). As such, I
realized that I never shared my testimony in a group email and so I will do
that this week instead of sharing cool fun stories (cause there weren't really
any that happened, as I said it was a very easy going week).
I just wanted to let you all know that since being here on
the mission, I have learned and grown a lot. I have grown to a surety through
both changes and experiences I have seen others go through, messages that I
have helped share, and personal growth from my own studies and experiences that
what I hade faith or hope was true before the mission I have grown to sure
firmness is true. We, each and every one of us a child of a father in heaven,
god, or deity (the "something bigger out there", whatever you would
like to call it). We are not just a creation that appeared out of nowhere, with
no purpose, but he loves each and every one of us and has sent us here to earth
to help us learn and grow. Before we came here, we lived with him as parents
here on earth live with their children, and in the same way that kids here on
earth can only grow to a certain point at home before they have to move out to
be able to keep progressing and growing in life, we had reached a point where
we could no longer progress or grow and so were sent here to earth to recieve a
body, to learn about the difference between right and wrong, and to be tempted
and pass through trials and difficulties so that we could learn to make our own
decisions, and make the right ones. Sometimes we pass through hard times that
we aren't quite sure how to make it through, but as that deity, or god, is our
heavenly father, he wants to help us, and he wants us to be able to overcome
those difficulties and so if we look for him he is always there to help us. We
can find that guide through prayer, which is literally just talking with him
(even something as simple as asking for a confirmation that he is there),
through the scriptures, and through small things that we see and experience
each day in our lives. Rarely ever does he talk with us through big huge
glorious manifestations, in fact, almost never, but he helps us to know that he
is there and that he loves and wantes to help us. When we die then, we are able
to return to his presence, but not just us alone - we also have the chance to
come back and live with our families again after this life. Thus, there is life
past this short time that we have here on earth, where we can continue living
in peace and happiness forever with those that we love. I have grown to learn
that this belief, or teaching is more than just a fanciful story meant to give
men hope, but that by studying the scriptures (the Bible and the Book of
Mormon) and following the teachings that they give us, we too can see the
difference that they make in our lives, and can grow personally to that surety
of ourselves, feeling that love that our Father in Heaven has for us.
I'll get off my soapbox now for this week, but next week I
should have some fun stories (and hopefully photos) to share with you all
again. Until then though, I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder McCollum
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