Sister Cross's words:
Hello All!
I've probably said it before, but time is so warped on a mission. It's crazy that my first transfer in the mission field just ended. I'm halfway done being trained and Sister Messer is dying (goes home) in just 6 weeks! Then I'll be moving on to a new companion. This week went by pretty fast. We had some fun experiences, though.
We're teaching a YSA guy named J. I don't remember if I told you about him or not. He's pretty great! He has some fun beliefs and we're enjoying teaching him. He came to church last week and then conference on Saturday morning and both of the Sunday sessions. He also has gone to institute and an institute Dance in the last two weeks, so those are some great signs. I'm praying we can teach clearly enough so he can understand. We really do have our own language as "Mormons" and I'm learning that some people define words differently, so we have to make sure they're on the same page first.
Mail got pretty caught up this week. I got 2 letters from Daniel/Nathan, 2 from Harrison, 2 from Helga and Hans, and 3 from Bill Sparks! It was a good week for me. :) Mail is slow, but to ease your minds, I AM getting it.
Conference was GREAT! Those of you who know me well know that I want to be a mom really bad! Well, the talks were all about families and how to make them stronger. One way is through obedience. Our mission focuses A LOT on EXACT obedience and how important it is. I'm learning that it's not just "nice" to have the blessings of obedience, but I NEED them. If I am going to raise my family to be able to withstand the temptations of the world, I need to be obedient and focused on what the Lord wants me to do. Right now, he wants me on a mission so I can learn these vital lessons. I am so grateful for the opportunity to devote so much time to helping others strengthen their families through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I want all who are reading this to know that I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today. Yes, he could perform miracles, such as parting the Red Sea. But no, he does not NEED to. Prophets in the Bible didn't just talk about cool, new things all the time. A great majority of the time, they reminded people of the things they needed to do in order to live with God again. They quoted scripture and taught and testified of Christ. This is EXACTLY what our prophet does today. This weekend, he reminded us that we need to be obedient. We learn in the scriptures that "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." If you are doing what He asks, you CAN claim the blessings. I know that to be true.
Elder Holland, one of the 12 apostles on the earth today, talked a lot about holding on to what you DO know. I can tell you that a mission reminds you a lot of the things you do not know. People ask questions all the time and I realize I don't know all the answers. And sometimes the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture, make sense and I have to re-evaluate what I know to be true. But I do know this: The Book of Mormon is true. And if that book is true, then Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and the Authority he was given to act in the name of Jesus Christ to baptize and perform saving ordinances has been passed down. And Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God on earth today and has that same authority. If I know these things are true, which I do, then I have no need to doubt or fear.
I love all of you: family and friends. I have been so blessed to have love and support from home. I couldn't do it without you. Thanks for everything! Remember: Exact Obedience! Celestial work will bring Celestial Blessings.
Sister Cross
Hello All!
I've probably said it before, but time is so warped on a mission. It's crazy that my first transfer in the mission field just ended. I'm halfway done being trained and Sister Messer is dying (goes home) in just 6 weeks! Then I'll be moving on to a new companion. This week went by pretty fast. We had some fun experiences, though.
We're teaching a YSA guy named J. I don't remember if I told you about him or not. He's pretty great! He has some fun beliefs and we're enjoying teaching him. He came to church last week and then conference on Saturday morning and both of the Sunday sessions. He also has gone to institute and an institute Dance in the last two weeks, so those are some great signs. I'm praying we can teach clearly enough so he can understand. We really do have our own language as "Mormons" and I'm learning that some people define words differently, so we have to make sure they're on the same page first.
Mail got pretty caught up this week. I got 2 letters from Daniel/Nathan, 2 from Harrison, 2 from Helga and Hans, and 3 from Bill Sparks! It was a good week for me. :) Mail is slow, but to ease your minds, I AM getting it.
Conference was GREAT! Those of you who know me well know that I want to be a mom really bad! Well, the talks were all about families and how to make them stronger. One way is through obedience. Our mission focuses A LOT on EXACT obedience and how important it is. I'm learning that it's not just "nice" to have the blessings of obedience, but I NEED them. If I am going to raise my family to be able to withstand the temptations of the world, I need to be obedient and focused on what the Lord wants me to do. Right now, he wants me on a mission so I can learn these vital lessons. I am so grateful for the opportunity to devote so much time to helping others strengthen their families through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I want all who are reading this to know that I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today. Yes, he could perform miracles, such as parting the Red Sea. But no, he does not NEED to. Prophets in the Bible didn't just talk about cool, new things all the time. A great majority of the time, they reminded people of the things they needed to do in order to live with God again. They quoted scripture and taught and testified of Christ. This is EXACTLY what our prophet does today. This weekend, he reminded us that we need to be obedient. We learn in the scriptures that "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." If you are doing what He asks, you CAN claim the blessings. I know that to be true.
Elder Holland, one of the 12 apostles on the earth today, talked a lot about holding on to what you DO know. I can tell you that a mission reminds you a lot of the things you do not know. People ask questions all the time and I realize I don't know all the answers. And sometimes the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture, make sense and I have to re-evaluate what I know to be true. But I do know this: The Book of Mormon is true. And if that book is true, then Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and the Authority he was given to act in the name of Jesus Christ to baptize and perform saving ordinances has been passed down. And Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God on earth today and has that same authority. If I know these things are true, which I do, then I have no need to doubt or fear.
I love all of you: family and friends. I have been so blessed to have love and support from home. I couldn't do it without you. Thanks for everything! Remember: Exact Obedience! Celestial work will bring Celestial Blessings.
Sister Cross
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