Merry Christmas!!!! New Yearssss

HEY EVERYONE!!

I hope yall had a great Christmas! I know I did, talking with my family was the best thing ever!

Christmas as a missionary is weird. We weren't allowed to go teach for 2 days in a row. So we had activities and played games at home. It was nice to relax but after 30 minutes it got so boring. 

Because not a lot of eventful things (missionary wise) happened this week I've been able to look back at some notes from my studies. This applies to all who have made new years resolutions or set goals:

It would only make sense that I talk about some ideas on how to make and keep these commitments. Or at least stay motivated.

The Atonement happened so we all could change and become better people. God wants us to improve ourselves and "press toward the mark" (Philippians 3:14)

Only the adversary would make us think that we are okay with who we are and that there is no point in trying. 

We are to have hope in and for our future. Surely we won't know -with a perfect knowledge- of the things to come or the new challenges that will face us in this new year and that is okay. 

To those who have set goals to come closer to God I can guarantee you, you WILL face opposition. What do we need to do when confronted by such opposition? 

May we all remember this quote from C.S. Lewis' journal entry on Feb 24 1924

"This morning the fates tried to infuriate me but carried it too far, so that it became funny."
In the middle of opposition C.S. Lewis found the humor in his situation.

The evil one knows we are on the right path and he will grasp at anything he can to keep us away from "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14) 

So, apply Paul's teachings to those of C.S. Lewis's.
Press forward to the things which are before us and when adversity hits, laugh a little. If we know we have to go thru some dookie we might as well be smiling. 

Paul taught us one more thing in Philippians. "Forget those things which are behind" (3:13)
Might I add one more word to this scripture: FORGIVE 

Elder Holland speaks on this subject in his talk "Remember Lots Wife"

He says: 

"There is something in us, at least too many of us, that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life-- either mistakes we ourselves have made or the mistakes of others. To be tied to earlier mistakes (our own or other people's) is the worst kind of wallowing in the past from which we are called to cease and desist. It is not good. It is not Christian. And it stands in terrible opposition to the grandeur and majesty of the Atonement of Christ." 

We can remember just enough to avoid repeating the mistake, but throw the rest of it into the pit as did the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. (Alma 23:13) 

If you feel like you've been off the path for too long and there isn't hope for you, stop thinking like that.

You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight

God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go. 

I know I am happier because I have made the choice to forgive and forget. Even if I'm not in the wrong.

Have Faith. Have Hope. Have Charity.

Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for us. 

Live your life this year in a way that will transform you today, tomorrow, and forever. 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

~Elder Legas

Pictures:

1. Cold stone

2. Elder Freeze n me

3. Christmas Eve card game (Curses)

4. The occupants of "The Frat House" (This was before we got to open up all our presents on Friday)

5. SNOW GRIND