I never know quite how to start off my emails, so I guess I will start by saying, hello? haha I hope everyone is doing good! Linz has been raining non-stop for so a few days now. I now know how Austria is so green and pretty! Can you believe it already June? That is crazy. I agree with Elder Jaynes, time goes by wayyyy too fast. So enjoy every moment.
Speaking of enjoying life, I read a really great article in the ensign the other day during personal study. It was by President Uchtdorf in conference last fall. It is titled, "Of Regrets and Resolutions". President Uchtdorf explains how he asked someone who works with patients who are not going to live very long what the most common regrets were. Being close to dying, what do people regret, or what do they recommend to us who hopefully have a few more years to live. The article is really great, but the three points people wished for were: I wish I had spent more time with the people I Love, I wish I had lived up to my Potential, and I wish I had let myself be Happier. When I read these I found the last two pretty interesting. I obviously applied this article to my life right now in a different way than most of you since I am serving a mission. But the underlying principles are the same.
The people and our relationships in this life are something so valuable. I think of each of my relationships with each of you and am so grateful. I am so blessed to know the importance of love and the ability to strengthen relationships through following the Savior's example and serving others. The second regret is quite interesting. Potential and success are measured in a very different way in the world. It is so neat to see someone realize that there is a much grander plan that God has for us. It is cool to see the Plan of Happiness give direction and hope to someone who thinks there is no life after this life. With the Savior we are given the enabling power to do and more importantly to become the person our Loving Heavenly Father wants us to become. The last regret is something that I think is the result of the second regret. When we understand our role, who we are as literal spiritual children of the God of the Universe - one generation from Godhood - we have much to be happy about. We understand why things do and sometimes do not happen. We understand the values and principles that will bring us lasting joy and peace. We really are the happiest people. I know I have said it before, but happiness really is a choice.
Since our life is short and the experiences we have are even shorter (i.e. missions) Time is something that has been a weird concept for me. I think of the Savior of the world and how He had a short, sacred life. He lived for around 32 years and did so much good. Even though His earthly ministry was limited (time wise), He took time for the individual, He blessed and made everyone feel important, and He wrought countless numbers of miracles and service. He could have been rushing around, worrying about what He had next to do, but instead He enjoyed the moments. He saw the needs of those around Him and helped them. As I have tried to serve more like the Savior, I have seen a new love and peace come into my life. I have tried to do the things the Savior would do and yes Sister Jaynes is far from perfect. But I bear testimony of the pursuit. There is a sanctifying and holy power in the striving to follow the Savior.
The other day, Sister Schonherr and I were contacting in a park in the city. We were simply talking to people about faith, the Savior, and the gospel. Well one man we spoke with had definitely talked to missionaries before. He was from Turkey and had experienced a really hard life. As he tried to ask those unimportant, contradictory-questions, I could just sense the unrest and pain in his heart. He needed healing. After our conversation, I felt like I should tell him that God loves him. As I did that, i could just see in his eyes that yearning for hope. He still had pain from many things and he was not interested nor open for the Gospel that day, but one day I hope he will. Because the Savior suffered for his hard times and pains. The healing that is awaiting him, and all of us through the Atonement is a very real thing. One of my favorite scriptures to read with people about the Savior is in Alma 7:11-12. In German it is translated that Christ did all these things so that He can stand by us and help us. How beautiful. I have felt the Savior so near as I have tried to see Him more, as I have tried to do what He would do, and be what He would have me be.
One of the best quotes from that article about regrets is... "Many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today!" Let us all better follow the Savior and help those around us do the same!
God loves us and wants us to live life without regrets. Through the Savior and His Atonement that is possible!
Love you all!
XOXOXOXO
Schwester Jaynes
p.s. Sister Miles (my mission president's wife) was able to do our studies with us the other morning and President Miles studied with the Elders. It is not every day you get to study with Elder Nelson's daughter!! :)
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