This week was crazy. Aren't they all? I guess it hit me that I have 4 more weeks. But after reflecting on it, I don't think too much will change when I return home. I still will be strictly obedient and I will still love the Lord.
I think what has impressed me the most about this beautiful mission is how I have been able to get to know the Savior. That through his atonement I can be changed completely! While sitting in church, I heard a phrase that I have heard before, "We are saved by Grace after all that we can do." THAT hit me so strongly. What is all that I can do? Because I really do NEED his grace. Doing all that I can isn't easy. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that the only way I can know that I am doing all that I can is if I am relying on the Savior, because HE is who will help me reach "ALL that I can". So really, I just need to trust in his loving care and guidance.
Now is that easy for me? No. Because I get discouraged, and his way doesn't always always seem like the most exciting... in fact, his way scares me. Because often times his way will cause rejections and hurt. But I KNOW that it is worth it. Because his way is the only way to be healed, changed, and happy down the road.
I can feel a glimpse of what down the road is really like every time I feel of the spirit :) I have learned that I must live for today, because there is no guarantee for tomorrow. Before the mission I was always thinking about the future, and I wasn't fully loving the here and now. But if we aren't taking advantage of the here and now, there really won't be any great down the roads for me. Because when I get down that road, I'll be wanting to be somewhere else.
With the Lord's help, I am LOVING this point of my mission. He is helping become all that I can, and enjoying this daily journey.
I love this mission. I wouldn't be where I am today without it.
Love Sister Kaylea Collings
Dear Sister Collings, your letter this week is, as always, beautiful! However, you made a statement that truly caught me off guard and caused me to look inward at where I am...68 years into my mortal existence! "What is all I can do?" Thank you so much for giving me something to really ponder and pray about! Like you, how many times have we heard we are saved by Grace after all we can do? One other comment you made right before that..."through His atonement, I (we) can be changed!" That was very profound for me, and one more thing I need to ponder and pray about. You are so amazing, and your letters of your mission have been filled with such spiritual richness that has been a blessing to me...and you had no idea! ��. However, I felt you needed to know how much this particular letter really struck a chord with my Spirit, and for that, I humbly thank you! I guess this was added upon the wonderful fireside I had the privilege of attending. Our speakers were Elder Caldon, Elder Christensen, and ELDER OAKS! What a feast for my soul! Because I was the organist, I had a seat two rows back where eye contact was made on several occasions! I felt he was looking through my eyes to my soul! And his words were gentle, but piercing, also causing me to look inward. Following the meeting, I had the honor of shaking his hand. He said, "You were looking directly at me, and you were the inspiration of what I said!" ?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll need to finish my comments in another frame...silly thing! Anyway, all I could say back was, "Thank you! You're very kind!" I think somewhere in there he mentioned my music, but my head was swimming! It's not everyday one has the blessing
ReplyDeleteThis is a most trying program to work with! My goodness, if I want to go back to make a correction, it freezes and that's the end of the story! Ugh! And now you've been told about my wonderful experience with Elder Oaks on Saturday (a day I'm normally serving at the Temple, but that's another story as to why I wasn't there!), then an awesome Sabbath followed by your letter Monday! I can't remember when I've been so blessed and thankful for the Lord's many blessings! By the way, in four weeks, you'll be home with your precious family! I love them so much and have even had the honor of sleeping in your bedroom on two separate occasions...once when I moved your Grandparents down from Arlington, and the other this last Christmas. I was visiting my family in Rexburg and couldn't stand to be that close to my bestest friends and not see them! Your bedroom is adorable! Thanks for sharing! 😉 May the Lord bless you abundantly for your faithful service! I'm certain He will say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"
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