It's Christmas, and now that the tears have subsided from talking to my family, let's talk about missionary work!
This
week was awesome, we got to go up to Taipei for our Christmas Zone
Conference, and be once again inspired by our awesome Mission President!
We talked about the Christmas story, and the symbolism of the parables
Christ used to teach! And then we got to listen to a Missionary
Christmas Concert, which was super awesome! Ah, Christmas is so awesome!
Also,
I got to give a talk in Church for my first time yesterday! Which
was.... Yeah. It was not great. I ended up talking a really long time,
but everyone said they appreciated it... So, yeah! Score one for Elder
Shope! Also! Tian Mama, our investigator, has her baptismal interview
tonight! We are so excited for her to accept the amazing ordinance of
baptism, and have this new start for her life! I love FengLin!
Well,
as the title of my email states, this week I want to share about the
"Miracle of Forgiveness". I have seen many videos and pictures this
season, and heard several talks and sermons about Christ and His
sacrifice, about His life, His service, His teaching. And one thing that
has stuck out to me most, is the miracle of forgiveness. We live in a
world with a lot of pain, a lot of heart ache, a lot of anger, a lot of
loneliness. We suffer trials and tribulations, spiritual, mental, and
physical. And as we feel these pressures, the stresses of life, we
sometimes make mistakes. We do something we wish we hadn't done, or
sometimes worse, someone does something to us that we wish they hadn't
done. We feel regret, anger, sorrow, guilt. And life gets a little bit
harder. And if we don't forgive, or if we are not forgiven, it just
keeps getting harder and harder. And sometimes it gets to the point when
we just don't know how to keep going. We feel like there's no way to be
happy, to move on from these mistakes or problems in our life. But, I
can say with full confidence, there is a way to move on. There is a way
to forgive, and to again feel the joy and peace that we had at one time
in our life. That way came 2000 years ago, in the form of a Babe,
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. It came in the form of a
Son, who taught us the way to live, and showed us the path to walk. It
came in the form of a Savior, who loved us so much, He was willing to
feel pain we can't imagine, suffer beyond our comprehension, and
ultimately die, for the sins of imperfect people like us. Christ, just
like our Heavenly Father, is a perfect being. He didn't make mistakes,
He didn't give in to anger or sorrow or temptation. But He suffered more
than you or I ever have, He drank the bitter cup, the consequences of
every sin, so that imperfect people like you and I don't have to. He
loved us so much, He gave His life for us. And with His sacrifice, He
gave us a way to find peace, to find joy, and a way to be forgiven.
Christ gave us the greatest gift that can be given. And more than just
the greatest gift, He gave us the most important gift. He gave us a way
to overcome guilt, and anger, and loneliness. He gave us the only way to
go home to our Heavenly Father, and receive all the blessings He so
desperately wants to give us. God loves us so much He gave us His Only
Begotten Son, so that we can be forgiven, and find joy. I am so grateful
for Christ, and for this special opportunity I have to remember His
precious sacrifice. I love Him, and I hope in this season of Christmas,
you can feel the love and mercy of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And I hope
you have a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Elder Shope
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