Happy Early Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Every transfer, or roughly every six weeks, every missionary in our mission works on one Christ-like attribute that they'd like to improve and focus on. Being that I was new to the mission field, I decided last transfer to focus on gratitude, specifically gratitude in the little things. I've have learned so much and I feel like it is fitting, given the time of year, to share my thoughts and impressions regarding gratitude and how it has completely changed my whole perspective of life.
So often in life, we offer prayers to our Heavenly Father for guidance, support, love and to find answers to our questions. However; how often do we forget to call upon our Heavenly Father in humble gratitude and thank him for all the love and support he has shown and blessed us with? I promise that as you search for Him in your life, that you'll find Him, Even more than just finding Him, you'll come to the recognition that the Lord's hand is involved in every aspect of our lives. In every detail He is aiding, supporting, and guiding throughout this life to enable us to become the person He knows we can be.
Sometimes, especially when going through trials, it can be difficult to cultivate this attitude of gratitude and to remember that our Savior and our Heavenly Father are there for us every step of the way. It can be hard. I've come to know through President Utchdorf's last General Conference talk that we don't have to be grateful for our specific trial that we are going through, but rather be grateful in our circumstances. When we are grateful in our circumstances, we can realize that the trial we are going through stinks; however, we're still grateful that you have a family who loves you, friends who support you, Heavenly Father who listens, a Savior who understands perfectly, and the gospel which can help lift your through it.
I've come to realize that having an "attitude of gratitude" really is a way of life. It's the recognition that every thing we've been given is a blessing and that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he truly is in every detail of our lives. When you realize this, you come to know that there is no such thing as a "bad" day. Despite our circumstances, there is so much good. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have modern day prophets to lead and guide us, we have the word of God at our fingertips and most importantly we have a Savior who knows us perfectly and knows perfectly what we are going through. Rely on him. I know that as we all strive "live in thanksgiving daily," not only through this Thanksgiving season, that we will be able to "live after the manner of happiness" they describe in the scriptures.
I am so very grateful for all of you and for the love, support, prayers and letters you send my way. I can feel of all of your love, even though distance separates us this Thanksgiving season.
That being said, here are of the highlights/ things I am grateful for this past week:
Until Next week,
Sister Smith
Every transfer, or roughly every six weeks, every missionary in our mission works on one Christ-like attribute that they'd like to improve and focus on. Being that I was new to the mission field, I decided last transfer to focus on gratitude, specifically gratitude in the little things. I've have learned so much and I feel like it is fitting, given the time of year, to share my thoughts and impressions regarding gratitude and how it has completely changed my whole perspective of life.
So often in life, we offer prayers to our Heavenly Father for guidance, support, love and to find answers to our questions. However; how often do we forget to call upon our Heavenly Father in humble gratitude and thank him for all the love and support he has shown and blessed us with? I promise that as you search for Him in your life, that you'll find Him, Even more than just finding Him, you'll come to the recognition that the Lord's hand is involved in every aspect of our lives. In every detail He is aiding, supporting, and guiding throughout this life to enable us to become the person He knows we can be.
Sometimes, especially when going through trials, it can be difficult to cultivate this attitude of gratitude and to remember that our Savior and our Heavenly Father are there for us every step of the way. It can be hard. I've come to know through President Utchdorf's last General Conference talk that we don't have to be grateful for our specific trial that we are going through, but rather be grateful in our circumstances. When we are grateful in our circumstances, we can realize that the trial we are going through stinks; however, we're still grateful that you have a family who loves you, friends who support you, Heavenly Father who listens, a Savior who understands perfectly, and the gospel which can help lift your through it.
I've come to realize that having an "attitude of gratitude" really is a way of life. It's the recognition that every thing we've been given is a blessing and that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he truly is in every detail of our lives. When you realize this, you come to know that there is no such thing as a "bad" day. Despite our circumstances, there is so much good. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have modern day prophets to lead and guide us, we have the word of God at our fingertips and most importantly we have a Savior who knows us perfectly and knows perfectly what we are going through. Rely on him. I know that as we all strive "live in thanksgiving daily," not only through this Thanksgiving season, that we will be able to "live after the manner of happiness" they describe in the scriptures.
I am so very grateful for all of you and for the love, support, prayers and letters you send my way. I can feel of all of your love, even though distance separates us this Thanksgiving season.
That being said, here are of the highlights/ things I am grateful for this past week:
- ROLANDO IS GETTING BAPTIZED DECEMBER 19th. My heart is filled with gratitude to be able to be so involved in his journey to come closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Temples where in families can be sealed together forever,
- The Reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Cute Old People Named "Bud" who are 94 years old and still rocking life with a smile. :)
Until Next week,
Sister Smith