June 2, 2014

Dear Family,

Guess what?

On Saturday our mission had a special conference. The whole mission got together for the first time in 2 years. And we got to listen to Elder M Russell Ballard, an Apostle of the Lord.

It was amazing. I kept having to remind myself that he was there, in the same room as me, and not just on TV from Salt Lake City. He spoke to us about learning the doctrine. He said when missionaries learn the doctrine of the Gospel found in PMG chapter 3 so well that they know they can teach it to anyone at anytime they become a different type of missionary. They are able to find people and teach them and help them progress in the Gospel. They become fearless because they know Who they represent and what they teach and why it's important. I thought that was so beautiful.

Then he opened it up for questions. I don't remember what question prompted this comment, but he told us that sometimes, when he gets "weary in the work" (and then he paused and said, I'm almost 85 and I still work as hard as I did when I was 50) he takes out a picture of the Savior. And he looks at it. And he thinks about Golgotha and Gethsemane. And he remembers how wonderful it is that he knows even a little about the Savior of the World. "And then," he said, "I can do anything." I LOVED that. I want to become that type of person. That is I get weary in the work, if I'm tired of people mocking me and slamming the door in my face and telling me that I don't believe in the right Jesus and that I need to go home and reeeallly study my religion because I don't know what I'm talking about, when I get weary of that, that I can stop and think about my Savior Jesus Christ. And remember what He did for me. And remember Who it is that I actually represent. And then can move forward with overwhelming gratitude that I get to be a part of His work. That I get to come closer to Him.

Then Elder Ballard told us to wake up with a smile! He said, even if it's pouring rain. Get up and think, "Yes! I get to be persecuted for the Savior today!" I loved that :)

It was an amazing conference. He challenged all of us to do what he did, years ago on his mission in England. To kneel down beside our bed and recommit to the Lord that we will give whatever remaining time on our mission completely to Him. That this is His work and His time and we will work and do everything in our power to do what He has asked us to do. It was beautiful.

And then on Sunday we got to hear Elder Acosta speak again! He did such a good job. We had a special stake conference and heard the Newport Beach Temple President and his wife, President Devereux in our mission presidency, President Johnson, our stake president, and Elder Acosta. It was amazing.

The Gospel is so good. Don't ever forget it. It truly is the way we find everlasting happiness. It is so so good. It brings peace in a hectic world. It offers comfort and healing to the wounds of life. And all we need to do is do the small and simple things the Lord has asked of us each day.

I love you! Read the Book of Mormon. It is the keystone of our religion. Read the Bible. It teaches us so much about the Savior. Serve others. And share the Gospel.

Love,

Sister Andelin