Love Is Always in Season

"The best way in the world to show our love for our neighbor is to go forth and proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which he has given us an absolute knowledge concerning its divinity." -President Heber J. Grant

"True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work." -President David O. McKay

"What does the Atonement have to do with missionary work? Any time we experience the blessings of the Atonement in our lives, we cannot help buy have a concern for the welfare of others....A great indicator of one's personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others." -President Howard W. Hunter

"Friends, especially my young friends, take heart. Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change the world...Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because righteousness was always supposed to accompany it. So if love is to be our watchword, as it must be, then by the word of Him who is love personified, we must forsake transgression and any hint of advocacy for it in others." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Elder Holland's talk from this last General Conference has been on my mind a lot this past week. Missionary work is full of ups and downs. Sometimes your heart just hurts and feels heavy because people's hearts are hard and they don't want to change or listen or humble themselves. In spite of that, I take comfort in knowing that Christ loves me. He loves them, and because He loves them, I must love them as well. I'm not perfect at it, but I'm grateful that the Lord gives me an opportunity to learn and try with each day. Only the restored gospel of Jesus Christ--His love--has the power to heal and change us, and thus change the world that we live in!

Brandy and Tiana are doing well! Tiana is plowing through the Book of Mormon and told us that she believes it is from God. Her friend, Kristina, joined us for a lesson last night. Kristina has been coming to church with us for a long time, but hasn't acted on anything yet. She likes church, though! They will be good company for each other along their paths of discovering the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord is aware of each of us, and that is another evidence to me of that.

Brandy came to church again yesterday. We had a linger longer after church. We sat down with her and another family to eat, and within a matter of a minute or so, Brandy said, "I'm going to go sit by that lady over there, She's all alone." She stood up, took her plate and spent the rest of the linger longer talking to this older sister. She's an amazing girl and is already living the covenants she will make in a few weeks at baptism.

Things are moving forward in Presque Isle. The Lord has many things to teach each of us, if only we humble ourselves enough to let Him.

Love is always in season, and Christ is the reason!

Have a great week!

Love, Sister Renda