Rebecca will be serving for 18 months as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the
Canada Montreal Mission.

If you're curious, more info can be found here at Mormon.org

Monday, October 26, 2015

Jesus Loves You

Let's reflect. Love is what motivates people to do most of what they do, if not all, and it is by far the most powerful motivator. I know that when things are hard here, I can completely change my attitude by pondering on the people here whom I love so much and want to help come closer to Christ, and the work becomes easy. When I'm scared of going home after the mission, I only have to remember the feelings I have when I'm with my family and all anxiety associated with the end of my mission disappears. I have felt my capacity to love grow and I know that will only continue as I learn more about my Savior and strive to comprehend the love he has for us.
 
With that, we know that Christ thought of us individually as he suffered not only for our sins, but for our sadnesses and our weaknesses and every trial he knew we would face. During personal studies this morning, it occurred to me that he was not going through our names in the manner of checking items off a list. As he thought of each of us, by name, he remembered why he was doing what he did and received the strength he needed to continue. He needed to think of us, individually, because only the greatness of the love he has for us could motivate towards that great of a sacrifice.

Larry blessed the sacrament yesterday, which was SUPER cool! And he's been referring his old gangster buddies to meet with the missionaries and they've totally accepted the discussions, which is just hilarious and also amazing. They live in Montreal, so we don't get to meet with them, but we're excited to hear updates on how that's going.

Jack came to church for the first time -- stoked. He loved it. The church is true. Seeing Larry and Jack introduce themselves to each other was sweet. We're going to baptize all the Haitian men.

And we had zone conference this week with Elder Golden of the Seventy, I learned so much! Hearing from a general authority is such a special experience. One of the things he said that I think has impacted me most was that the parable of the ten virgins is a warning to the members of the church. And not only that, but the active members. All ten virgins were waiting for the coming of the bridegroom.
 
He also told us to be using the name of Jesus Christ more in our teaching, starting when we introduce ourselves. And he instructed us specifically to introduce ourselves not as "Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" but as "Servants/Representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ". He said that the name of Christ can get lost in the name of the church, and that people already know who we are by the time we're introducing ourselves, they can see our tag. Because the light of Christ is in everyone, when we use his name worthily, it will resonate with them, and when we use his name unworthily, it will offend them. He then qualified this statement by saying that people being offended does not mean we're unworthy to use the name of Christ, more often just that everyone has agency, but that even those people will feel the spirit and remember it if we follow this counsel.

I have to go, but I love you all so much!
Souvenez-vous qui vous etes ♥
Soeur Lonas

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