6/4/13

Dear Family,

 

I love to write everyone and report on what goes on in the week and tie it into something spiritual. Know that when I do, its inspiration and somebody needs to hear it. Sometimes I review my letters and think, "woah, I said that?" because it helps me in a time of need. That's when I realize, those words aren't from me, they're from God.

 

I had a pretty rough week yet again. We had a prospective baptism occuring in the Zone yesterday, and I was able to interview the person wanting to be baptized. I declared him worthy and ready. Unfortunately, later on in the day, he broke the word of wisdom. That's a really tough situation. You wonder if you followed the right impressions. Then you think of your missionaries beating themselves up because they feel they didn't teach clearly and now they lost a baptism that they told the whole ward about.

 

I thought a little while on what I could report on this week. A lot of negative things happened. But I don't feel like its a benificial report to all of you to hear what negative things happen. Then I remembered what a little subtheme in what I wrote last week. Maybe reading it in connection with what I say today will help the theme jump out. Before I began writing this letter, I thought of all the good things that happened this week. They were completely astounding or breathetaking. But they were miracles nonetheless. I said a silent prayer to Heavenly Father to help me report something uplifting. Suprisingly, I already feel uplifted writing this letter.

 

Before I get into everything else I want to address something to Kie. The news mom wrote me made me cry and I think Elder Basilius is wondering "What in the world is going on with this Elder?" I hope Kie knows what he's done. He's done something I know we can all appreciate. I only know a little something about what he's overcome and sacrificed to serve a mission to our Lord and God. He has taught me a great lesson on how to sacrifice and come closer to the Lord. I so testify, that to serve the Lord, we have to sacrifice and I am grateful Kie has shown me that. I love him.

 

Being here on earth, we have inheritted some ungodly attributes. I testify that that is why sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven. Think about it. Gold has to give up it's earthy blotches for refinement. Pioneers had to unload their wagons to cross Rocky Ridge. I wish I had scriptures to share on the subject but I don't.

 

Elizabeth taught me about Sacrifice, in the form of Service. I talked about this experience at my farewell. There was one afternoon in summer where I was sitting alone in my room alone, feeling sorry for myself, friendless, and depressed. I called up Elizabeth and explained to her my problems. I remember there being a point of silence on the phone, and then Elixabeth replied: "Well, I am really disappointed in you, [Elder Lovell]."  I was really taken back. I didn't even reply. She said, "there's a lot of people struggling right now. I'm struggling, I'm going to school and its tough. But you have to stay happy and trust me, you're not going to stay happy just sitting in your room feeling sorry for yourself. What is Mom doing right now?"

 

"I don't know," I replied, "I think she's working on the Dishwasher with dad."

 

"Then why don't you go help them?" She said, "Do something that gets you out of your room and focused on someone else."

 

I didn't go and help Mom and Dad that day, unfortunately. But the lesson stuck with me. Elizabeth also suggested I could do small things, like set the table, or do the dishes, or clean the kitchen. I started putting it into practice. It was a sacrifice in my mind, because everytime I wanted to sit down or go to sleep, I would hear Elizabeth's voice ringing in my head and then I would, sometime grudgingly, get up and go and do. Eventually, these grudging feelings turned into excitement. I gained some self worth and greater love for my family.

 

One of my favorite talks on Sacrifice was from Elder Eyring (it goes something like this...) "Whenever I feel like I have done enough, or my body begs for rest, I remember this rallying cry: REMEMBER HIM!" Jesus Christ, even after death, did not rest. The scriptures account to us that he went to the spirit world to organize a mission there.

 

I commit to follow the example of my Savior. I commit to work until I faint. To die with my hand on my handcart and with my face pointed toward zion.

 

I love you all!