Waves

Hey! This week we had a zone conference with Elder Godoy, the area 70 for Peru. Part of the time I was out with Hna Ericksen (mission nurse) helping a sister, but I loved what I got to hear. He spoke a lot about one of my favorit topics- the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Much of what he shared stuck in my mind throughout the week, and while sitting in relief society listening to how troubles hit us like waves, I was reminded of my experiences learning how to surf. How in the world does that relate to surfing? hahaha we{ll see if you can catch my wavwe length haha. Throughout my life, and the mission, I have seen that troubles usually come in waves. The dishwasher breaks and the next day the disposal isnt working and the following day someone is in the clinic... and then after this passes there is a period of calm. Just like waves come in rounds, often our challenges come rolling in like the tide. And we can choose to be thrown and tossed, or we can learn to use these wavesof trials to ur advantage and ride them. And that is where the Atonement comes in. It makes the impossible situation (like facing huge waves) possible. The Atonement is liek our surfboard which makes two things possible. 

1. We can float. Or in spiritual terms, we can keep ourselves afloat, alive and breathing by using the Atonement to recieve the forgiveness of our sins. After so long of treading water on our own, our limited  strength will fail, and we will eventually drown.(Spiritual death)  Or we can rely on the power of the Christ to remove our sins, lift us up and stay safe on the board.

2. We can ride. Use the power of the Atonement to face the waves of trials in our lives and use them for our advantage and learning. Elder Bednar stated,

"I suspect that many Church members are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming and cleansing power of the Atonement than they are with the strengthening and enabling power. It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us—that is fundamental and foundational to the doctrine of Christ. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us—not only to direct us but also to empower us. " 

I also love the talk by Elder Bednar, Bear up their Burdens with ease, but instead of Load we can use the word wave:

Each of us also carries a load. Our individual load is comprised of demands and opportunities, obligations and privileges, afflictions and blessings, and options and constraints. Two guiding questions can be helpful as we periodically and prayerfully assess our load: “Is the load I am carrying producing the spiritual traction that will enable me to press forward with faith in Christ on the strait and narrow path and avoid getting stuck? Is the load I am carrying creating sufficient spiritual traction so I ultimately can return home to Heavenly Father?”

Sometimes we mistakenly may believe that happiness is the absence of a load. But bearing a load is a necessary and essential part of the plan of happiness. Because our individual load needs to generate spiritual traction, we should be careful to not haul around in our lives so many nice but unnecessary things that we are distracted and diverted from the things that truly matter most.

The waves are what enable us to learn to grown and become more like our Heavenly Father. The Atone ment of Jesus Christ allows to become agents to make our waves of trials into advantages. Smooth seas never made a skilled surfer. Are we going to fall. yes. But we can always get back on hte board. And its an incre4dible, exhilarating, joyful ride. Eswpecially when we help others ride the waves with us! PARTY WAVE! I will never forget the joy of sharing my first wave, both of us screaming and smiling. And thats what this gospel is all about! Learning to ride the waves, and helping others to find the joy also! Hope you all have a great week! 

Sorry I havent been able to respond to any emails! I have written letters but my camera wont upkoad NADA. so know I love yuou and you are in my prayers!