Watch Ye And Pray

Bok svima! 

It was a good week and I had a great time at R&R (return and report) where I got to see all my old MTC people halfway through our transfers. Speaking of, we have 12 week transfers here so at 6 weeks I am officially halfway through my first one!

I'm going to focus more on the Spirit in this email; I have been feeling it more and more as I pray and read the scriptures.  

I found a note I wrote down on my phone a while back that said simply "Mark 14:38". I went and read it and I would like to share it with you: When Jesus finds His disciples sleeping, He rebukes them and says "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." We are also told in D&C 93 to "pray always". Especially in the latter days, it is vital that we are "watching and praying" each day. Like the ten virgins, we must always have our lamps ready. Daily scripture study and prayer will allow us to always be prepared and ready, so that we are not caught sleeping when the Lord calls us. This is how we build upon the rock of Christ. It is not an event, but rather a process of preparing ourselves each day. And it is essential!  

President Nelson said, "Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival." I add my testimony to his, that we can't survive spiritually if we choose to "fall asleep". I love the words of Isaiah, "Awake and arise!" I hope we will all wake up to the call of the Lord and let God prevail in our lives!

Elder Neil 

P.S. Elder Alliaud is coming to speak to us this Wednesday, the missionaries and members are all excited to hear from a general authority!

Pictures:

-service with our neighbor Gianni! (One of my favorite people here)

-community turtle pond 

-exploring tunnels under Rijeka 

-our neighborhood kathedral

-of course weekly update on our pigeon family :)