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| Check out this missionary-headed to serve in Russia! |
Well, I don't know how it is possible, but I've been in the Provo Missionary Training Center for over a month already, and will be leaving to the Philippines on MONDAY! 17 of the elders from my zone left this last monday for the Philippines. I'm so happy for them, and I know they will do great things! The night before they left we had a little goodbye party that basically consisted of eating a bunch of the snacks that our families had sent us. haha! We also had a handstand contest to see who could go the furthest, and I WON!
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| The Oregonians! Elder Hemmert & Elder Davis! |
In preparing to leave for the Philippines I am filled with a nervous excitement. I feel happy and excited to go, but also I feel so unprepared. The language is still very difficult, and I wish I could have more time to study and get ready. Each day I spend nearly every minute studying. Almost every day I get to a point where my head hurts so bad I feel as though I couldn't learn any more. It's almost like each day I have a bowl that starts out empty, but as the day goes on I fill it with information. At a certain point the bowl overflows and It's almost like I can't fit anything more. However, in those moments I have turned to the Lord. I pray to have the strength to continue, and I pray that my mind will continue to gain and retain knowledge. With that I continue to study, and although my head may still hurt, the Lord helps me. I know that "In his strength I can do all things." (Alma 26:12). On my own I can only fill the bowl to a certain point, but with the Lord's help, the bowl stretches larger and larger as long as I continue to work hard and study. He won't fill the bowl for me, I have to study and put forth my best effort in order to fill it; however, when I need help and support, he will always be there to assist and magnify my efforts. Although I am nowhere near fluent in the Tagalog language, I know the Lord will support me.
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| Matching my teacher! |
Jesus Christ suffered for all of our sins, through his atoning sacrifice we can be clean from our mistakes and live with Heavenly Father and our families after this life. He knew that atoning sacrifice would be difficult; yet, he said "Here am I; Send me." In the Garden of Gethsemane he felt the pains of all of our sicknesses, trials, and guilt; however, He did not back down from His purpose, He said, speaking to Heavenly Father, "Not my will, but Thine be done." Finally, as He was crucified and killed on the cross, he said, "It is finished." He gave everything for me and for you, and every person on earth.
I leave for the Philippines on Monday, and although I know I will struggle and have difficulties with the language, I will be as Jesus Christ and say, "Here am I; send me." In everything I will do, and in every trial I encounter, I will be as Jesus Christ and say, "Not my will, but Thine be done." Finally, once I have served with my whole heart and done all that I possibly can for two worthy years, then may I say, with the assurance of Jesus Christ, "It is Finished."
WEEKLY ADVISE: Turn to the Lord in prayer in every opportunity you can. He will magnify your efforts. Make an effort to pray at least five times every day this week. Pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. He will not leave you alone in your trials. In His strength, in the strength of Jesus Christ, you can do all things.
Sincerely,
Elder Hemmert
Elder Hemmert
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| "The best teacher ever!" Brother Beagley |
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"The Sunsets are so pretty here." |
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