friends and family!!
The MTC remains to be my favorite place on earth! Not to mention, Chocolate milk and pizza night are amazing.I've had another great week, and I love my district and zone more every day. I love how the spirit draws us closer together. I won't claim to see with through the eyes of Christ, but anytime I look at the missionaries in my zone, I can easily distinguish what spiritual gifts they have. I know for a fact it is not my natural ability, because I have not ever had it before, also it is benefiting both me and those around, so I know it is from my Savior. Spiritual gifts we receive are for the benefit of others, we are a tool used in Christ's hands to progress his work and help our brothers and sisters return to live with him again.A few cool experiences this week, the first comes from Elder Bennight. I will admit I was homesick for roughly 15 minutes, before I confided in Elder Bennight that I indeed had some sadness in me. The memory was of my brother Auston, and how before i left, we would play all of our old gamecube games that we had played when we were growing up. I missed that, but Elder Bennight shared with me, that he too missed his family (and specifically his brother) yet, a motivation from that homesickness kept him going. He told me of how being on a mission blesses your family, and your future family also. And how if he stayed, not only would his family be blessed, but he would be closer to being worthy of an ETERNAL family. I'll admit I cried after that, but only for a few seconds because I had work to do!!
The second experience I'll share is a few quotes from our Tuesday devotional. Michelle D. Craig (first counselor in YW general presidency), she shared a powerful testimony of journal keeping and of our necessity of forward progress in our earthly life."God can only guide our footsteps, when we move our feet"We must always strive to keep the spirit with us, so that when in times of need, so won't be caught off guard."Satan wants to lead souls CAREFULLY down to hell", satan won't be able to drag us down with our spiritual armor, he has to wear us down, bit by bit. We must strive to maintain the spirit in any way possible so we will not have the adversary surprise us.I would invite everyone to do the small and simple daily tasks that give us spiritual renewal, and strive to maintain our covenant path. And if anyone has gone off the path, return immediately. There is no pain in repentance, there is however pain from the consequences of sin. You must contribute to your own salvation, Our savior is there to fill in whatever we cannot do, but that help cannot occur without us first acting. Please do not be one of the souls lost in the battle against Satan. If you need help, seek help. People naturally want to help, they just need an invitation.Love you all!! Thanks for the emails and packages!! 🤟🤟-Elder Vance
