Gratitude for the Good Shepherd

November 28th

Hi everyone!

 

We`re back at the Library today, so here goes to another email of weird apostraphes (`) and probably incorrect grammar/spelling! But, it`s okay.

 

This week was wonderful, lots of changes and great expériences. My new companion is Sister Dinge, who like I said last week is from France, and she is spectacular. She is SO good at contacting everyone around and always sharing the gospel with them, and I`m so excited to get to learn from her these next few weeks, which includes her helping me improve my French! She speaks fantastic English and is able to help me know how express myself in French. I`ve been able to practice telling stories, learn more vocabulary, and learn more about French grammar. Such a big blessing!

 

This week we got to teach the seminary class (an every day out of school class for 14-18 year olds where they study the scriptures, and this year they are studying the New Testament) in our ward to some amazing youth. We taught about the 3 parables found in Luke 15 (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/15?lang=eng) and it was amazing to hear the youth's responses and their thoughts about the scriptures. The rising generation is truly remarkable. And then we got another treat just yesterday in Church when the little kids presented their primary program. There was a pretty large group of them and it was so precious to hear them sing songs about Jesus and then hear some of them give little talks about simple principles they learned throughout the year. And it was all in French, which makes them even cuter. I was basically crying the whole time it was so touching. Nothing is sweeter than hearing a child teach about faith, or about how they feel when they are praying, or how following the prophet has blessed them. They basically taught the whole restoration of the Gospel, which was perfect because we had an investigator that was attending Church for the first time, and she loved it. It is no wonder in the scriptures Jesus tells us «Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.» (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/18.15-17?lang=eng&disable-footnotes=true#14)

 

Those expériences directly relate to the gratitude I felt this last week. Here in Canada, they already celebrated Thanksgiving, so we didn`t get to celebrate and we definitely didn`t get to have turkey comas, that`ll just have to wait for next year, but we did have some time to reflect and ponder about all the miraculous blessings Heavenly Father has given us. Those children are a blessing, teaching people about the gospel is a blessing, serving the Lord is a blessing, but most of all, being able to use the Atonement of Jesus Christ and improve and change everyday is a blessing. As I sat pondering I was looking at a picture of Jesus Christ holding a lamb (here is the link for the picture https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/lost-lamb-art-lds-425852?lang=eng) and I was reminded of how individual our relationship is with the Savior. No matter where we are in our lives, even if we`ve left the knowledge we once knew, or have never had the chance to know about the gospel, no matter how dark and troubled our world maybe, due to our circumstances or the circumstances of others, Christ comes to us and only He can pick us up, relieve our burdens, and carry us back to our Heavenly home. I looked at the face of the lamb in the picture, and I saw that it was calm and content, and I knew that that is how we all can feel as we let Christ come into our lives, by metaphorically opening the door, and letting Him help.

 

I`ll finish with a scripture that perfectly describes what exactly Christ did for us, and how perfect the timing with Christmas approaching, for us to truly remember our Savior during this time of year.

 

Alma, a prophet, in the Book of Mormon prophesied of Christ saying,

 

10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

 

Alma 7:10-13 (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/7?lang=eng)

That is true. I love the scriptures and what they can teach us about Christ. 

Also! Watch the AMAZING video the Church just released for Christmas, we`ve been sharing with people, and they`re loving it.

 https://www.mormon.org (ìt`s only 2 minutes and 37 seconds, I think you have time and if it doesn`t work the first time, just refresh the page)

Have a beautiful week and remember the Savior,

Sister Thomas

sorry no pictures this week, we`ve been too busy working! we might have time next week!