In Which I Share Something I Hope that All of You Will Internalize...

In Which I Share Something I Hope that All of You Will Internalize...

Quick update: Hit one year mark. What? Gross. Also, was approached by someone who immediately asked to be baptized. What? Seriously. Sri Lankans were sick this week :( They are still progressing, so thank you for your prayers! Also, quick shoutout to my sister, my dad, and my grandfather who are getting old. JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE!!!

FACTS I LEARNED:

• Our Albanian friend is moving back home for the summer. Clermont just lost cool points.....

• JEFFERY R. HOLLAND IS MY HERO. That sister missionary story he shared has been experienced by every French missionary. Last week in Lyon, a man did the same thing except replace the potatoes with a tuna sandwich and instead of trying to hit me, he tried to nudge me into the street. Getting persecuted for the Savior is awesome. Not sarcasm.

I'm going to share some verses from Luke in the New Testament that I find powerful. It takes place while Christ is being crucified. From chapter 23:

39 ¶And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

It's a small event that moves fairly quickly and is easy to look over in casual reading. Something that I've noticed for the past year is how cruel people can be to themselves. Surprisingly, it's the people that have already completed the ordinances of baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost, people that UNDERSTAND the significance of the Atonement, that have the hardest time with this. I've heard every excuse in the book that "God can't forgive me because I did this."or "God couldn't forgive someone like me." or "It's too late for me to change" etc, etc. 

LOOK AT THIS EXAMPLE. 

A malefactor, a seriously reviled criminal, received forgiveness WHILE HE WAS HANGING ON A CROSS. And you think it's too late for you to change? Of course, this is a concept that would be hard to grasp if one didn't understand that grace is a gift given to all mankind. Even disciples of Christ find themselves struggling to gain a testimony of this, even those who have been taught this their entire lives. This is one of the most beautiful teachings that Christ has shared. Forgive yourself so that God can do the same. There is no excuse that can justify the contrary.

I love you. Sorry I get preachy sometimes. I've slipped into habit after a year of doing it, haha. I pray for you, even those who don't share my beliefs or have any beliefs at all. You are all dear to me and your support has been a blessing to me for the last 365.4 days.

Sœur Green