Drew Mail 7/27/2019 - "Even in hardship God is there."

Hello everyone! I’m so grateful to be able to write to you again and share some of the experiences I’ve had this week! So first of all, it is amazing to me how on Sunday there will be something that highlights the theme of the week, or a principle that I see continually throughout the week. I know each one of you can see this too as you pray and do your best to notice the little things that happen throughout your day. So on Sunday, we had ponder time, and during this time we get to go to a mural in one of the buildings and spend some time praying and studying it. This is really a neat experience and I love when we have time to do this. This week we were able to go and see a mural of Moses. In the mural he is standing on top of a craggy, dark, barren mountain that has lots of dead branches on it and seems like a desolate place. However, Moses is facing forward looking towards the bright sunset, and all above him are countless stars in the night sky. As I sat and pondered about the beauty of the painting, it came into my mind that we need to make sure we don’t get lost looking only at the weeds and barrenness of our current surroundings, but look up and forward and see the good and beauty that is all around us, because there is always good. As I went about my day on Sunday the hymn “How gentle Gods commands” came into my mind, and the line “come cast your burdens on the Lord” played over and over. I know that the Lord wants us to turn to him at all times, not only when we have difficulties, but I also know he is always there for us to strengthen and help us. I’ve seen that a lot this week as I’ve had lots of new challenges and tasks. 

So we finished the “basic core” pamphlet which has a few phrases and words which we’ve memorized, and on Monday we found out that we are now starting “intermediate core” which is literally a BOOK 😂. So I felt pretty overwhelmed when I realized how much I have to learn, but again I know Heavenly Father can and will help me as I do my best. 

Another challenge we had this week was our first TRC lesson, which is where we go and talk to a native speaker, some are members of the church, and some are not, and try to help them with their needs. So Elder Howe and I have been meeting with José Frías the past week and let me tell you it’s not been a cakewalk. The first time we met him, he was kind of reserved and he asked us right off the bat how he can know whether the thoughts and feelings he is having are from the Holy Ghost or himself. We were not ready for that, but we did our best and shared some scriptures with him, but it was pretty rough. The second visit went much better however, and I know that that’s another lesson we can learn: don’t give up when we have a difficult experience. Although I don’t understand everything he says, or can’t say everything I’m wanting to, I’m trying and I really believe that that is what is most important. We need to remember that God wants us to just do a little better each day than we did before.

Never give up, and keep looking to Jesus Christ when it seems like the way is dark or hard. 
Yo sé que Dios va a bendecirle por su fe y su esfuerzo. Yo sé que Dios lo ama.  (I know that God is going to bless you for your faith and your strength.  I know that God loves you. ) 

Elder McDonald