Hello,
It has been an eventful couple weeks here in the hot desert of Crownpoint, New Mexico. Well, it hasn't been hot, but it has been really nice weather the past couple days. The stars out here are by far my favorite part of the landscape. Still to this day, every time I look up, I can feel the spirit so peacefully. I've realized that before I truly knew what the spirit was, I felt it when I would go camping and look up at the stars. There would always be a swelling within my heart that told me the future was going to be bright.
Today, I saw a rabbit get skinned and gutted for the first time. Last night Elder Martin and I were driving along the dirt roads in the middle of nowhere, and there were two little bunnies sitting on the road. We were going about 45 miles per hour and they looked like rocks from a distance, but nope. They were definitely living animals probably talking about how it was mating season, and then BOOM! Off to bunny heaven one of them goes! I've never hit anything in a car before, I can now cross that off my bucket list! We picked it up, threw it into the back of the truck, and fed it to the dogs!
On a more serious note, this particular email goes out to my family- Mom, Liv, Brian, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandpa's, Grandma, and everything in between. The experience I am about to describe has been a difficult one and has opened my eyes to the responsibility and opportunity I have had amongst those whom I love most on this planet.
While being out here on the mission we meet lot's of people who are all in very different circumstance. They all are very diverse in their lifestyles, upbringings, and points of view with the world. Everyday My companion and I are continually trying to bring them to the one thing that will apply to their life no matter what.
Elder Martin and I had the opportunity to be led to a man who was going through some very difficult trials. Through the guidance of the Lord, we were able to do some things that softened the heart of this man. In the process of his heart being softened, he was able to receive the teachings of the Gospel, and to gain a deeper relationship with his Heavenly Father and Savior. Being a part of this is one of the surest ways to develop a deep love for someone. Serving him and helping him has been an honor. He had progressed and moved along really nicely as to being able to see the light and truth that has been revealed.
Due to a recent experience, past feelings and emotions brought back a whole new side that my companion and I had not yet seen. It was just another appointment where we were going to teach, and soon found out the change of heart he had received. It was a hardened one. It was one that I felt completely powerless to help and guide with the spirit. We left there feeling very saddened by everything that took place, but we had hope that a little time would help him along his way.
One week, two weeks, three weeks pass by and each week we stop by to see how he is doing. Each time someone else comes to the door and says he is busy. Last Friday, we remained intelligent and went to see him once more. As we knocked, and the door was answered, there he was- our brother, a son of God, one whom we have come to love and appreciate very much. But it was not the same man we have come to love. Something had replaced that light and had a very deep hold on his countenance. He told us he no longer wanted to meet with us and that he would call us if he needed anything. It wasn't just the words that were so devastating, but the feeling and emotion behind them. Elder Martin and I left there with absolutely no words to say.
This life and experience in this life is a full out war. It is only until you are at the forefronts of batttle that you see the enemy working against you and what you stand for. It is only in the face of evil that you recognize and feel the power of goodness and light at your back. Each and everyday we are fighting to gain some territory and ground within the hearts of the children of God. Each day we are losing ground and our dear brothers and sisters are falling into despair. There is and never will be a time that we are not responsible for building the Lord's kingdom upon the earth.
The reason that this email is for my family is because I urge and plead with each of you to gain that ground within your heart. To gain for yourself a knowledge and testimony of the Savior and his restored truth upon the earth. Some of you may very well be doing a good job at such a task, and I am truly grateful to hear of your progress towards such a cause. But I feel weighed down at this time because I know there are some who are having a hard time in life because of such a battle. Families are the absolute greatest blessing we can receive while upon the earth. I feel bad because my first responsibility in serving and teaching should be those with whom I have been tied to in this life. I've been slacking, and I hope that this experience can be of some use to each of you whom I love so very much.
I just close in sharing that I know without a doubt that this work I have commenced on is the Lord's work upon the earth. No matter where you are at along the path, fight to gain that territory of good and truth. Help those who stand in need, and continually strive to have a relationship with Him.
I love you all so very much, and hope I don't sound like a lunatic!!
With much love
Elder Brayden Sandberg
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