I hope everyone had a great week! The weather here could not be more beautiful, springtime here we come! My week here in Munich was really good. I actually spent half of the week in a city called Passau for an exchange. It was a breath of fresh air and it was a good time to recollect my thoughts and refocus on my goals and purpose. I spent it with a great sister named Sister Christianson! She is from Orem and just lovely. I forgot what it was like to have an American companion haha. It was the perfect timing to just take a step back, re-evaluate, and then get back in the work. Coming back to Munich was so great. I really do love the people here. They are like family to me. I was talking to my companion about that the other day. I told her that I have not really felt "homesick" on my mission because I have loved these people like my family and in return I have felt loved by these people here. Wow a powerful lesson, I am grateful to have learned that so early on my mission. I cannot being a missionary without this principle.
This last week I was thinking a lot about how merciful our father in Heaven is. As I personally have tasted of His mercy and come to learn just how merciful He is, I have truly began to see people and situations in a different way. I was reading a talk about the Laborers in the Vineyard from Elder Holland. He talks about the different times of the day that the Lord goes and hires the workers. Some were at 9 AM others at noon, a few more at 3:00 PM and then even some more at 5:00 PM. Regardless of the time of day they started working, each laborer received the SAME compensation at the end of the day. Elder Holland expounds on this beautiful parable and explains that it has nothing to do with the laborers, but with how MERCIFUL our Father in Heaven is. I remember hearing this in seminary and thinking, that is unfair. The one that worked at 9 AM should have received more...etc etc. I now better understand. One quote I love from Elder Holland is: "The thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being MERCIFUL, especially to those who do not expect it and often feel they do not deserve it." How great is that? I just picture our Father in Heaven simply making someone's day without reason, just because He can. I have seen Him do that in my life time and time again, even when I do not necessarily deserve His kindness. He loves us and wants us to be happy.
As I have come to see His merciful hands in my life recently, I have received a new level of peace and joy. Last week we were at Elena's. Elena had asked that we come and teach the Plan of Salvation to Richard and Anastasia. We did and it was absolutely wonderful! Richard and Anastasia have learned so much through primary it is mind blowing. Well on Wednesday, we were reading scriptures from the Book of Mormon and at the end of the lesson, I told Richard he could keep the Book of Mormon. Anastasia had received one the week before to prepare for her part in primary. Richard was grateful. Well on Sunday, Richard comes up to me and wanted to share with me his favorite scripture with me... 2 Nephi 31:12 "And also, the voice of
I nearly died. Here this sweet 11 year old understood it. He is so humble and has the desire to be a good little boy. All he does is to help his mom and be a good big brother. Richard then explained that he has set a goal to read two chapters in the Book of Mormon everyday. Since Thursday, he has read all the way until 2 Nephi!!!!! After talking to Richard, Elena came up to me with a big smile and told me how after receiving the Book of Mormon from us, Richard explained to his mom that he had prayed to receive a Book of Mormon. That Thursday, his prayer was answered. Heavenly Father could have answered this prayer in a number of ways, but instead He was merciful and allowed us to be a part of it.
I am so grateful for the mercy and kindness of our Lord. He asks us to not only follow Him, but also to become like He is. I am grateful that.."His concern is the Faith at which we finally arrive, not that hour of the day in which we get there." Life is a time to prepare to meet God. He is expecting us to do our best. He expects us to be merciful to others because He is merciful.
Ich habe euch LIEB!!!!
XOXOXOXOXO
Schwester Jaynes
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