Hi Alex,
Sounds like you had a rough week! As I read your letter, my heart ached for you. I can never understand how tough the mission field must be but what I do know is that what you’re feeling- EVERYONE out there in the mission field goes through it in one way or another. What would one of Satan’s greatest victories be? To have a missionary go home before his time!! You were called to this mission LONG before you were even born. If you don’t serve to the best of your abilities and what your fully capable of, then guess who wins?? You have never had to face these kinds of challenges before. NOTHING is easy at first. Remember one of my motto’s is “everything is hard until it gets easy”!! You are almost half way done!! You said you didn’t know what to do—SOOOO, as your Mom, I’m going to tell you what to do!! …. You are going to get on your knees, pray for strength, pour your heart out in your prayer, THEN, you’re going to get up and get back to work! You are going to show the President as well as yourself what you’re made of…. You are going to be obedient, kind, and your going to endure your trials with patience. You are going to KNOW that your family is always praying for you!! Alex, you knew you were going to Germany years ago! For whatever reason, the Lord let you hold on to that memory of your calling from the premortal world. You have special work to do and people to prepare…whether for you to baptize or someone else to some day! Satan is also aware of what you are supposed to accomplish. Maybe you will teach someone who one day will be a great leader of the church. Or maybe you will be an example to someone who is already a member. Maybe one day, you will be that leader!! Your mission is just the beginning of many great things—Don’t question the trials, just humble yourself and let the Holy Ghost guide!!
Satan has attacked our family in so many ways over the past 4 or 5 years!! Between what happened with Dad, then the house fire, and health issues in the family. Through it all we have stuck together, fighting the urge to just give up, fighting confusion in how to deal with things. We are all stronger for it! The basic thought I always need to bring myself back to is … Light is Christ, dark is Satan. If I’m emotionally feeling bad, I know that is NOT of Christ. Keep asking yourself “what am I suppose to accomplish that is so important that God would let me remember that I would be going to Germany”. Then GET TO WORK!! You may NEVER know but Heavenly Father does. Be patient and trust him! He knows what you’re made of and if he didn’t think you could do this mission, you would NOT be there! You needed to grow; YOU needed to see what you’re made of!! DON’T GIVE UP!!
Sister Gimenez reminded me that you are getting a new mission president in July. Not that President Ninow isn’t wonderful but after 3 years he’s probably so done with directing 100 teenage boys!! New Presidents come in with new energy, and patience AND new ideas! (That new Ipod might not be ok with the new president)… I’ve included a few messages on the next page that were on your Facebook as well as a couple from my inbox that I wanted to share with you! I hope they lift your spirit and bring YOU hope.
I LOVE and ADORE you more than you can ever know!!
Hugs and Kisses!!!
LOVE MOM
FACEBOOK MESSAGES:
Alex, What a great opportunity you have to be there trying to share the gospel. You remind me of Ammon when he went to teach the Lamanites. All he needed was courage, faith, and a firm determination to fulfill "his mission". It wasn't easy for him, in fact, it was full of challenges. Those challenges are what forged him into the great leader that he later became. We are all very proud of you! For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) We love you! We believe in you! You can do this!
Brother Gimenez
Alex!!!! Keep on working hard!! I can't believe that we are soo close! Well... I mean we are still a couple countries away but its better than nothing! :) Happy early birthday!! Please keep smiling and don’t give up!!
Giselle
MY inbox:
Pretty much every missionary goes through this, I know I did! And a lot of my companions did too, and tell him that the missionaries who come home early get married to ugly girls. Hope thing get better and I’ll pray for him so he can find his motivation. Have a good day sister Madore and say hi to all your family for me (except Mckenzie).lol
Elder Rudus
I agree with Rudas. Couldn't have said it any better. It is so hard on the mission to think about the end. You feel like it's never going to come, but when it does you wish you had more time. It is so nice to look back on those hard times, because it's those hard times that make you stronger!
Elder Barney
QUOTE:
When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life… We are meant to learn and grow through opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same… the Lord will not only consecrate our afflictions for our gain, but He will use them to bless the lives of countless others.”
–Dallin H. Oaks, “Give Thanks in All Things,”
