This week has been full of a lot of emotions. It began with a special dinner and testimony meeting that I was invited to with all of the missionaries that are leaving soon. I felt the spirit so strongly and a group of missionaries gathered around in the Arrington`s living room and bore testimony of Jesus Christ and how the mission has changed their lives forever. On Friday I was able to attend the Leadership Counsel Meeting and the assistants asked us to be studying the atonement in preparation for what we would discuss. At the beginning all of the new leaders and those who are leaving soon we given the chance to bear their testimonies. As I pondered on what I should share a few thoughts came to my mind. I said,
¨During this last week as I pondered and studied the atonment I began thinking about the way that my own testimony and knowledge has increased during the corse of my mission. I have learned that Christ`s atonement is the only tool that can heal all pains, feelings of regret, and relieve the weight of sin. I know that it is through Christ that I recieve energy and strenght to continue enduring to the end. I know Christ lives. I know that Christ must be the center of my life and that in order to do that I must be willing to make sacrifices. It insn´t easy to leave beind bad habits or face our weaknesses and change when we are comfortable where we are at, but I know that it is necessary in order to allow Christ`s atonement change us and make us into the person he knows we can be.¨
The meeting was focused completely on Christ`s sacrifce for us and how it is that we can help the mission as a whole understand more clearly the way to apply it in our daily lives and the lives of those we teach.
At the end the assitants were in charge of the last part. They pulled up a slide show and the first page popped up with a question that said, ¨What have these hands done for you?¨ The explained that they wanted us to think about Christ during the whole slide show and reflect on what he has done for us. The next slide popped up a picture of two hands palms facing upward. one assistant asked do you know whose hands these are? A few missionaries guessed and then they called one of the Elders sitting down to come to the front of the room. They changed the slide and there was a picture of the Elders mom with her hands held out face down.
The assistant asked, Ëlder what have these hands done for you? The Elder tried to resond but tears filled his eyes and he began to cover his eyes with his hands. He was soon able to respond and said, Everything.
The slide show continued showing pictures of several parents and at the end a picture of our Savior. I dont think there was one person in that room who wasnt crying.
What have his hands done for you? for me? for all of us? I know that Christ`s love for each of us is so powerful and so real. He always stands with arms wide open waiting to help us when we feel discouraged, disapointed, upset, full or regret, or unbearable pain. He understands us perfectly and knows how to succor his people. Turn to him for help. Let his atonement have a full affect in your life, and I know that if you do you will be able to overcome any trial regardless of how big or small it will be. You will be blessed with an eternal perspecitve of God`s perfect plan and will be able to joyfully continue enduirng to the end.
Thank you all for you constant prayers, love, and support. I know this is the true church and I know that Christ lives. I hope you have a wonderful week and know that your savior loves you!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Parkin