With Full Purpose of Heart

Halfway through the MTC!


 

This week we passed the halfway mark from when we started until when we leave for Zagreb! It is already crazy looking back at where we were three weeks ago. My companion and I are still teaching Matthew, and are excited to see how that goes over the next couple weeks! 

 

 

I was at the coast for a few days (see picture) which was a big struggle...sitting in class watching the waves break against the rocks outside knowing I can't get in the water...haha I'm joking it was a great experience! I got to meet a few of my aunt's friends and I am very inspired and humbled by their experiences and the amazing people they are. 

 

 

I was very blessed to be here while my sister Maddie had her baby! That was a huge miracle because I thought that I would be away from home at the MTC when she had him, but since I am at home I was able to call her and see the baby! 

 

 

As far as the MTC goes, our district continues to unify and bond together as we prepare for the work that awaits us in Croatia. It is really tough, but we lift one another and let the Spirit work through us. I know there is real power in the word of God and in choosing to serve Him. Our district is a testament to that.

 

 

For my spiritual thought I would first like you to consider this question: If the commandments are given so clearly to us from God, why are they so difficult to keep?

As I thought about this question, I realized that because God put us into imperfect bodies (natural man), we were born subject to temptation and our own temporal desires. Later, I read in 2 Nephi 31, and two phrases in verse 10 and 13 stuck out to me: "Can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?" and "I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart". When we repent, we try to better live God's commandments. However, it is not enough to merely try to have more discipline in following the commandments, we must try to change our very nature as humans. With "full purpose of heart" we must, through the Savior's Atonement, seek to change our nature so that we "have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually". Don't just try to correct mistakes (although that is great), seek to change yourself through Jesus Christ!

 

 

Hvala for the support and prayers! Make it a great week!

 

 

Starješina Neil

 

 

P.S. I found out that my companion was once an aspiring falconer like myself so we are making plans to get hawks after the mission!!

 

 

P.P.S. This week a couple of missionaries and I are creating an arrangement (piano duet+cello) of "If You Could Hie to Kolob" !!

 

 

Pictures: 

1.) At Depoe Bay, tossing the traditional flower into the ocean on Memorial Day.

2.) Got all the nametags!! We now have two in Bosnian Cyrillic, two in Serbian Cyrillic, and three in Croatian!


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