9 months already!?!?

Yep, if I was a sister, this would be my halfway point. With that in mind, I hit 9 months last week and I can't believe it! It doesn't even feel like I have been out that long, though I'm sure if you asked my mom she would say it has been an eternity hahaha.

This week was also transfers week, neither Elder Wood nor I got transfered! We are staying in Washington, together, and on bikes for another transfer! And no, I am not really that excited about the bike part but I'm staying optimistic.

I want to share a scripture from Ether 12, "6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

I share this scripture because of the living proof we have of the principal. Last transfer, it seemed like everything was falling apart. Elder Wood and I were praying and working so hard trying to get things going, but everything kept falling through. We fasted, prayed, and knocked more non-member doors than you would think there are down here in Utah hahaha. We felt as though we were being tested, that our faith was being tried.

This week, being the start of this new transfer, has been amazing! It seems as though all of our hard work is paying off and we are able to run into all the people we have been trying to contact. The Lord is showering down a multitude of blessings upon us, and I know that it is, at least in part, due to our continual faith during our trials.

I don't have any pictures this week, but I do want to tell you all something. Don't give up. As Christ says to Joseph Smith in his furnace of afflictions, "7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C 121) 

Fortunately, none of us have to go through the amount of adversity and afflictions that Joseph Smith had to, but our trials, in light of our own circumstances and lives, can be just as serious and in as much need of divine help. I invite all of you to, when you are suffering your own few steps on that way to Calvary, to turn to him who walked the whole path even Jesus Christ. I have done so and I know that he can help.

Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Francis