Continue on in PATIENCE

¡Hola!

How are things going for you all?!? I hope that they are going well! As usual I can´t believe that another week has FLOWN by!

This week was a lot more laid back then the last week. So there aren´t as many things to report. Honestly I am struggling to remember what specifically happened this past week! They all just kind of seem to blend together! Last week I forgot to mention that we found this AMAZING investigator... but really though like so incredible. His name is Jonathan and he is basically a saint. One lesson that we had with him this week he started off by saying that there were major things in his life that he needed to change... in my mind I am thinking oh great he smokes or drinks etc... then he finished by saying that he thinks about himself too much and that it really is a huge problem for him in his life.... wow. As usual I am learning more from my investigators then I can possibly teach them!

This morning I was reading one of my favorite conference talks of all time again, Continuing in Patience by Elder Utchdorf. It really is so incredible and I am sure that I have already shared things with all of you from it before but I love it a lot and I think that we can all always remember to be more patient, especially with ourselves. Elder Utchdorf says, "Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we can´t see the Lord´s hand in our lives until long after the trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity. understanding, and happiness". 

Elder Utchdorf continues, "Patience is a process of perfection. The Savior Himself said that in your patience you possess your souls. Or, to use another translation of the Greek text, in your patience you win mastery of your souls. Patience means to abide in faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting rather than in the recieving that we grow the most. This was true in the time of the Savior. It is true in our time as well, for we are commanded in these latter days to ¨continue in patience until ye are perfected¨." 
"... the work of patience boils down to this: keep the commandments, trust in God... serve Him with meekness and Christlike love, exercise faith and hope in the Savior and never give up. The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness."

I know that what Elder Uchtdof said is true. As we continue on in patience God can make more out of us then we can. I love the analogy of the mountains and valleys... maybe because I am missing them a little bit and also because I love the poem "It´s in the valleys that you grow". SO TRUE!!! It also makes me think of Janet Evan´s favorite quote "The harder the climb, the better the view!". This life is suppose to give us experience and help us grow but also "men are that they might have JOY"!!! So to all I would say CONTINUE ON IN PATIENCE!! It´s not just about enduring it´s about "enduring well"!

I love you all tons. Thanks for all that you do to love and support me! God really does send angels to bless our lives, I have just been lucky enough to have them as friends and family members! Continue to send dearelders and letters :) I love getting them!!!

Please know that,
I think about you often, pray for you always, and love you forever!

Hna Scanlon

(Yes, she is opening the baptismal font with a fork. Gotta love the mission!)