Hello friends and family!
This week has been great! We have had some great experiences and miracles.
We started a Facebook ad about finding peace in Christ, and we have already found 3 people! They will all be referred to other areas, but a referral for one is a referral for all!
We ate at Popeyes this week before District Council, then we felt disgusting, so we decided to go on a Strawberry Lemon water detox. Its been really nice and is helping me restart my New Years resolution to drink more water. I drank almost 100 ounces one day this week! I definitely am grateful for indoor proselyting, so I can have the bathroom nearby
In my Book of Mormon studies I am in Jacob 5, studying the Allegory of the Olive Trees. At one part in the chapter, Verses 41, 47, and 49, the Lord of the Vineyard says, "What could I have done more in my vineyard?"
The Lord of the Vineyard represents Jesus Christ. I was using the Institute student manual to help me understand more about this chapter and Jeffery R Holland talks about the work that Christ puts in to help us grow. He nourishes us and yet, we still bring forth evil fruit. He cries out, "What could more could I have done?!" He wants us to receive everlasting joy and bring forth good works, and He does all He can, without taking away our agency, to help us receive it. All we need to do is just let God prevail in our lives.
We also had a mission discussion about conversion, it was awesome! President Vest started out by reading us the story, "The Little Red Hen". In this story, the little red hen is given an opportunity to make bread from a wheat seed. She has to plant the seed, grow the wheat, harvest the wheat, grind it into flour and then bake the bread. At each stage, she asks the other farm animals to help her with the task at hand, all of them say they will not help her. In the end, she does it all by herself. However, all of the other farm animals want to eat the delicious bread, but the little red hen eats it all.
President Vest said that in terms of the Gospel, the little red hen became converted. She put in the work to receive the reward that she rightfully earned. When we put our faith into action, we can become converted, but we cannot do the work for others and they cannot expect to be converted based on our efforts. Just as we cannot live on borrowed light, we must do the work ourselves to become converted.
What is the work you may ask. I had the same question. These past 13 months, I have been asking and praying to know EXACTLY how to become converted to Christ. I had been praying for a step by step detailed instruction guide from heaven.
As we discussed as a mission, I received my answer, but it was not what I was expecting or wanting.
To become converted, we must act! Every righteous action that leads us to do good and become like Christ, puts a drop of the oil of conversion in our lamps of testimony. Every time we repent, pray, read the scriptures, serve someone, etc. is helping us become converted to Christ.
God does not give us a play by play of everything we must do in this life to become like Him. He gives us commandments and guidelines, ordinances and covenants, but simply going through the motions is not going to convert us.
We must act before being told to act! As we have righteous desires and keep the Holy Ghost as our guide, we will never stray too far off the path and we will always be progressing towards heaven.
I invite you all to begin doing the spiritual work required to become converted to Christ. Whether that begins with saying your very first prayer to God, repenting of a serious mistake or putting more effort into your church calling or scripture study. I promise that the power of Jesus Christ will flow into your life and you will feel peace and joy knowing you are becoming like our Savior Jesus Christ.
I love you all so much!!
Sister Thacker
Pictures
Our mission gratitude tree
Invitations from PRESIDENT NELSONS MESSAGE ON FRIDAY!!!!
Strawberry-Lime Water
Mini Muffins!
A Pretty Stream by our Apartment
