Thursday, January 15, 2015

My Missionary Commission

Hi Dad!

Good to hear you are still teaching Sunday school. Those Bible videos are amazing! One day I just want to have a Bible video marathon. Sister Mangelson and I were saying this week that we want the Church to make Book of Mormon videos with the same actor for Jesus from the Bible videos. I'm reading Jesus the Christ right now and I am always blown away by how much I don't know about the Savior's life. Sister Mangelson and I have been talking about how important it is that we know the Savior so that we can represent Him. 
 
Each day we recite Our Commission: "I am called of God. My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master, and He has chosen me to represent Him, to stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice. My acts are His acts. My doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants done, to say what He wants said, to be a living, modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous latter-day work. How great is my calling!" It's so important that I take that to heart.
There was an incredible worldwide devotional last night for young adults. Everyone should watch it! The message was the culmination of so many thoughts and ideas and conversations that I have had over the past transfer or so. Brother Ridd spoke on real intent and living life with purpose. David, especially, should watch it. How is he doing by the way? Is the Altima still kicking?
 
This week we prayed to know where we should go after providing service at a local thrift store. The thought came to go to a neighboring town and I started driving, still not really sure where we should go specifically. As I drove I felt to turn down the main road, thinking this would be our destination but then kept driving. I turned down another street that I felt good about and then told the Lord, "Okay, now I need a place to park." We kept driving and the houses became more spaced out. I spotted a car and felt I should park behind it. We got out and knocked on the door, to meet a woman who just rented the house that day and was only there for a short amount of time to get the heat turned on. She said she would be interested in listening to our message as she is going through some big life changes right now, but didn't have time then. We offered to shovel her porch and driveway. She left while we were still shoveling and as we continued, I knew that the Lord had directed us to her home. I don't know much about that woman, but I know that God is aware of her. I hope that the small act of service we provided her lightened her load. 
 
As Sister Mangelson and I talked about that experience later, we both felt that the most important thing we can ever do is love God and love others. When that love is our motive, everything else will fall into place. I've been thinking about my own motives and intentions. Why do I do the things I do? Is it because I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior? Do I have an eye single to the glory of God? If I don't, my seemingly good acts won't profit me any good. I must do the right things for the right reasons. 
 
In our Relief Society lesson yesterday, I learned something new about charity. I always thought about it as the pure love of Christ, the love that Christ has, that we all need to be striving to be filled with that same type of love for others. It hit me that charity can also be the pure love of Christ or the pure love for Christ. Christ lived the first great commandment. He loved God. If we truly have the pure love of Christ, then we will love God and Jesus Christ. They will be our priority and our focus. That love for Them will lead us to love all of those around us because we will see the great love that They have for each and every one of us. 
Loving God with an eye single to His glory means that we will do anything to help Him bring His children back to Him. 

I hope you have a great week! Remember that Christ is the reason, and love is always in season.

Love you!
Sister Renda 


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