Tests and trials come not to weaken, but to strengthen

Hey everybody! It has been one more week in the vineyard of the Lord

and we are ready to tackle down one more transfer! This week went by

really fast and I tried to think of an experience that I had this week

that I could share. I honestly didn't have any giant happening or

crazy story unfortunately this week other than a drunk old man that

was beating the tar out of a road sign, pretty funny acutally Elder

bennett got some on video, but other than that I couldn't think of

anything special. Just some feelings that I have had througout this

week.

Lately we have been trying to find new potential here in the area and

haven't been really finding too much. And it was a little hard, and I

kind of found myself in that stage of like half-sulking half trying to

be posistive something like that and when we got to the end of the

week none of our 5 firmly committed investigators showed up for

church. So I was left with a lot of contemplation and paryer. As I

have prayed and read the scriptures and during church I really was

touched by the Spirit. I felt the power of the Spirit that inspires a

person to cease to do evil and do good continually. I realized that i

had some things that I needed to correct in my behavior some little

things that I had been slipping up on during the week that may have

been impeding me from accessing the full potencial of the power of my

calling. It is hard for me to write into words what I felt in church

other than some power of motivation to be better that seemed to come

out of nowhere and gave me the drive to correct my slips and stumbles

this next week. I know that this is the role of the Spirit to correct

our wrongs and to inspire us to do good. Something I have noticed on

my mission is that when someONE tells me that I need to be better or

get on my back for not doing something, I have a harder time accepting

it especially if I can't feel that that person is doing it because

they want to help me. But when I can feel that correction accompanied

by the power of the Spirit that is when I have those drives to make

changes because change is not easy.

We need to be constantly puting ourselves in holy places and do things

that invite the Spirit into our lives so that it can inspire us to

change and become better. I have already felt the happiness and joy

that is coming from listening to those silent promptings and I know

that it will be the same for all of you as you too pray to know what

he would have you do. He will give you the strength and desire you

need to make changes, and he can do that because of the atonement. I

love Elder Bednars talks about the enabling power of the atonement and

grace. I noticed this little manifestation of this power yesterday

within me and I hope that you all can too.

I am not sure why I wasn't quite able to put all my feelings into

words this week but keep praying for us we need it!:)

OH also some good news we talked with Flavio again yesterday and he

again agreed to a baptismal date of the 17, now the next step is

talking to his father to let him and also invite him to know that

these things are true as well! I love you all so much and keep going

about doing good! Serve your neighbors right your wrongs and keep

smiling always things get better, tests and trials come not to weaken

but to strengthen build and help you develip chirstlike attributes,

that is what I am learning.

I lvove you all and wish you all a great week!

Love Elder Eldredge