We talked to Neal on the phone just yesterday (Mother's Day), so much of his e-mail today was regarding stuff we talked about yesterday. So, I am piecing together a few things from the e-mail for the blog today. Enjoy!
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Hello again!!!!
I want to tell you about an analogy that I came up with about that scripture. (Matt 11: 28-30) I have been told that I am the master of analogies. I am really starting to think that I use them too much, but I like them, but this is a great one. So imagine that you and your friend are going on a big backpacking trip up in the mountains. Your pack is huge, and heavy. You have everything in there, and you have to carry all the weight. (side note: Neal A. Maxwell talks about this backpacking trial as the trail of life, and that there are sharp drops and huge ravines on both sides. Our bags are the desires of the natural man, and they sway us from side to side). Along this long and windy path, the weight gets too much for us. We have slipped too many times, and we have really just had enough. You stop, and look back and ask your friend if he wants to trade packs. He hasn’t been complaining at all though this hike, and he seems to be doing just fine while you on the other hand are dying! He gladly accepts the suggestion and you trade packs. To your great surprise his pack was completely empty…… Your friend was Jesus Christ. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I have been having to deal with the hardest teaching situations of my life this past week, and that is no lie. I will not go into great details, but lets just say that a girl that we have dated for baptism has some major law of chastity issues. Issues that I have never had to deal with before, and hope that I will never have to deal with again. I have really been praying a lot for her lately, and we have truly seen a miracle. I will tell you the whole story someday when I get home, but for now I just want to let you know of my testimony of the Holy Ghost. It is only through the spirit that peoples hearts are changed. Everything that has happened over the past few days has been guided by the spirit! There has not been one ounce of coincidence, and that has been the basis of my testimony ever since I came out. E. McIntosh and I were on exchanges when this whole thing came down, and that was no accident. The advice that I received from President Bullock was no accident. The scripture that I left her to read and ponder about did not come from me it came from the Lord, and that is no accident! The lesson that we had last night after the phone call was really, really good. My patriarchal blessing is coming to pass. I am seeing how the gospel brings people happiness, and I am a part of that. There should be at least 2 baptisms before the end of the month, and that is only because the Lord reached forth his hand, and showed unto us a miracle!! These past two transfers have been the toughest of my mission, but they are again, NO ACCIDENT!!! I am here to learn a lesson, and to gain experience. I don’t know what the Lord is preparing me for, something, and I am looking forward to that. “All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” That council could not be more true. I like that talk that you sent me Mom…. The mission is truly the MTC for life! I am seeing that each and every day. I said last night that I feel about 10 years older, and that’s cause of the amount of experiences that I have had in the past year. One years worth of time, 10 years worth of experiences! I would not have it any other way.
Transfers are next week so I will be writing on Wednesday not Monday. I am more than likely staying, but I really can’t say if that is the truth or not. We will find out on Sunday or Monday.
Love you all,
Elder Neal
pic 1 - Who said that i was serving an English Speaking mission. WELSH BADGE!!!!!!
Pic 2 - E. Garcia (My dad/Assistant) At it again!!!! (He is an amazing artist)
Pic 3 - This town is NOT in our Mission!!! Don't worry we got permission. We were just traveling through to get to interviews. It is kinda like a main Train Hub. We did get stuck there on the way back though for an hour!! That was fun.
Pic 4 - The Telford District!!! (that was a wet wet day!!!!)
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