Insights and Events in the Life of Elder Harps: Woche 29

So uh, this week didn't go as planned

Elder Adams and I,
trying Currywurst for
his first time

Elder Clarke and I saying goodbye.
I'll miss him

Not only did I NOT leave Langen, Elder Clarke DID. He was called to be A Zone Leader in Kaiserslautern and we was way sad to leave. But not only that but I'm TRAINING here in Langen!!! LIKE WHAT??!

I'm so stoked to train Elder Adams!! He's from American Fork Utah, just graduated a few months ago, and he's so awesome!! I've basically been bouncing from place to place this week cuz I'm so excited to work with him. His German is fantastic already, with 3 days under his belt. He's already working hard. He's super super happy to be here and I'm really like so excited. Ahhhhh!!

This also means, because I'm training, I'll stay here in Langen for 2 more transfers, so about 3 months. That'll make 9 months in Langen when I finally leave haha. Good thing I absolutely love it here :)

Us and Mary

Elder Adams and I

Mary is doing fantastic. She was so so sad that Elder Clark left, but she's still super excited for her baptism this Saturday. She's understanding everything, and she's just super sweet and humble. I love her and I'm so excited to see her enter into this covenant with God :)

Phillip is also doing awesome. Right on track for next Saturday. We are meeting with him tonight, gonna be awesome. I'm way excited, he's way excited, he too is sad that Elder Clarke had to leave. But he's awesome. Super excited for him

The Manics are doing well, though they are ALSO now facing family pressure. Fortunately Mlodn's father is visiting in a week and so we will be able to meet and speak with him. Then also baptize him haha. We are going to be praying Fasting that he can have an open heart and support the Manics in their decision to be baptized. They are awesome. I can't believe how complicated their lives are. It hasn't been easy one step of the way, but they are conquering step after step. They are so humble and so faithful.

Elder Clarke, Philip, and Zinnah

So this week's thought.

In the Book of Mormon, they use the word "wax" a lot. And I really love it. There is a proverb that says "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".

Alma 37:6

"6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

Many small things, many small efforts, compounded together can overcome anything. Repetition, practice, diligence. This applies to everything. Learning to play music, studying at school, art, developing faith. Lots of small steps together can cover a journey of a thousand miles.

One way I saw in the scriptures that this principle applies though, is to pride.

Helaman 11:36-37

"36 And in the eighty and second year they began again to forget the Lord their God. And in the eighty and third year they began to wax strong in iniquity. And in the eighty and fourth year they did not mend their ways.

37 And it came to pass in the eighty and fifth year they did wax stronger and stronger in their pride, and in their wickedness; and thus they were ripening again for destruction."

Their pride and iniquity didn't come all at once. It says that they waxed into their iniquity and their pride. It wasn't sudden, but consistent slackening in their Diligence lead to serious pride and wickedness.

But on the converse, Helaman 3:35

"35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

Humility can also wax. Through consistent efforts to turn to the Lord, we can overcome our pride and wickedness. We can wax stronger and stronger in our Humility, and this scripture promises that we will be filled with joy and sanctification. Both Pride and Humility, opposite traits, come over time. Both come from small efforts compounded over time.

Elder Jeffrey R Holland said it really well, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So, watch your step"

We take steps every day. We never stop walking. Every choice we make is a step. So we need to really think about where we are walking. Are we walking towards our Savior? Are we walking towards something else? Are we waxing in Pride or Humility? Where will we be in a thousand miles? In 10 years? In 2? In a month? In a week? Where will we be at the end of today? Are we truly walking towards our Savior Jesus Christ? Are we living our lives as he would?

Are we watching our steps?

I invite you all to really be conscious of where you are walking. Think about it, and decide if what you are doing is bringing you closer to Christ. Come unto Him.

Watch your steps. Let Christ "[fill your soul] with joy and consolation"

I love you all! Life is awesome here in Langen! I'm so excited!!

Habt ihr eine schöne Woche! Bis bald!

Elder Harps