"17 Agosto 2015
Dearest Family & Friend
This week I walked and walked and
then when we couldn’t think of anything more fun to do we walked some
more! Nah, broma! ☺But all that walking wasn’t in vain
because I get to give a 10-15 min talk yesterday and I was blessed to have an
interesting conversation with someone here in San Borja who has been having
some trouble with peer pressure/social pressure.
First
off I gave the discourse on Missionary Work… what else?! Apparently it went
great because I only said, “I thought my companion stole/used all of my
material, but it is ok” and later “Amen.”
The
second point I would like to address is a bit lengthier. The topic sentence,
though, would be: “Who am I?” Then the world seems to be completely against us
and we don’t seem to have any choice because we want to fit in and have friends
or fun we need to remember these words: “who am I?”
I
will give you an example. I, Elder Reed, am 20 years old, I was a student of [a high school] in Ohio, I am a person with green eyes and I am about
5’10” tall. What am I forgetting? There is a Children’s hymn with just the
answer we need: “I am a child of God.” What does that mean?
First
off, let’s start by looking at what God cannot do and what He can do… in that
order: nothing and anything! God is Almighty, All Powerful, and All Loving. He
wants us to succeed. He gives us trials so that we might one day return to live
with Him, the Creator of our soul and body (Abraham 3:24-26). If He wants
something done it will get done!
Secondly
as His children, we can also do anything that we desire so long as it is within
the commandments and will of Him who gives all. If He wants us to refrain from
drinking, smoking, and chewing WE CAN DO IT. If He wants us to be sexually pure
WE CAN DO IT. If He thinks it is wise to become an Eagle Scout WE CAN DO IT.
There is nobody who can make you do anything that you don’t want to do. I know
from sad experience that I have no more control over my neighbor than my
neighbor had over me! If we succumb to the will of another it is only because
we allow that person to control us. The same thing applies with Satan. He can’t
make us do anything. He can whisper and shout in our ears the things he wants
us to do until he’s blue in the face, but ultimately it is our choice! As a
shining example of resistance I would reference you to my younger brother Adam!
You are the best Adam; don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise! :)
In
conclusion we are sons and daughters of a God and as such we are entitled to
his love, guidance, help, and forgiveness if we mess up!
I
testify that the words that I have written are true and that we should always
be ready to respond “I am a child of God and He has sent me here to testify of
truth and righteousness” and I so do it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Love,Elder
Reed "
The pictures Elder Reed sent:
 |
| Apparently, this is just a baby cucuracha [cockroach] - yikes! |
For this week, Elder Reed said "Hope you have enjoyed your week and spent it wisely! Remember who you are!" Have a great week!
