Hey hey everyone!!
I hope you’ve all had an amazing day and an amazing week! What’s up? How’ve you been?
I hope everyone has had a doggone great time, things were great here and the week went by so fast! I’m low on time so I’ll make it quick for you!!
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– We had Zone Conference on Thursday and it went so well! I learned a lot and the Spirit was so strong. It’s amazing how we can always keep learning things about the Gospel. It really is eternal! We had interviews with President Brady right after and they also went so well. Lots of answers to prayers in general on Thursday!
– Angel, the awesome recently returned missionary in my last ward came and surprised visited us over here on Thursday for our English class! It was sooo good to see him, he helped teach grammar and after we went out to go meet some people! Such a great guy!
– We set up a ward basketball tournament since the morning basketball has been going super well and holy cow it’s been so fun!! We have a lot of converts showing up and bringing friends and its been such a good thing. This ward is soooo fun!
– Today we upgraded our hike abilities and went for the highest point in La Sierra de Guadalupe!! We went to a few different peaks and lookouts, but Cerro Coatepetl was the coolest and seemed like the tallest to me! We went up to a little over 10,000 feet, which I never would have thought was possible in Mexico City. Soooo cool!! It was such a bushwacking and trail running adventure. Absolutely amazing time, made my legs sore and that’s super great and it was spent with some great people! Hoping to explore more up there soon!
– It was my Dad’s birthday on Tuesday! Happy birthday Dad, I love you so much and miss you!!
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This week’s reading was GREAT in Doctrine and Covenants. Wow. Actually, section 121 and 122 are probably two of my favorite bits of scripture ever. Seriously amazing stuff.
I had these couple verses shared with my early in my mission from Section 122. They helped me through a hard time and keep helping me when times get tough. I think these are a great couple of verses to give comfort for anyone who is passing through something challenging (which really, is all of us!) Here they are:
“If thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”
Now I hate to make assumptions or conclusions de la nada, but I would say that’s gotta be one of the greatest bits of encouragement ever in scripture. It even gave me chills just rereading it. Your Heavenly Father is perfectly aware of exactly what you are passing through. In fact, passing through storms and falling in pits and getting beat around is, sometimes unfortunately, a very key part of the plan. Suffering is exalting.
Why? God Himself sent His Beloved Son, the One He loved, to earth, not to rule or reign or win followers, but to suffer, to bleed, to weep, to die. To suffer more than anyone has ever and will ever and could ever suffer. He knew it was the only way to exalt His Son and to exalt us. So, we will pass through suffering, probably constantly. But, that’s part of the plan! Know this, that all these things will give you experience. All your suffering will be for your good. Keep on going. Keep on pushing. Keep on trying.
The Creator of everything that exists and even the things we can only imagine is perfectly aware and is perfectly compassionate of your situation. Your days won’t be counted less than they were before ‘just’ because your going through a hard time. Trust in God, because if you do and if you focus on Him, no matter what happens, He will be with you forever. There isn’t a better blessing I can think of.
Anyways, to you who are passing through something hard, no matter how small or no matter how big, there’s a little bit of encouragement that’s slowly changed my life. Trust in God and keep on keeping on. He is aware, there is a reason, and He will exalt you as you focus on Him through the trial. Fear not. Hold on!
Man do I love you all so dang much! Go out there and keep pushing on. Difficulties will constantly come, but blessings will too as you focus on Him and trust in His plan. He knows what He is doing, and He knows how to do it a lot better than we do.
Go make it a great week and lift someone else who’s passing through a bummer! The world needs you!
I love you so much, talk soon, and take care out there!!
Elder Crockett 🫶
