Elder Edholm -- Week 64

 This week pretty well, the two biggest things that happened this week was that we found two really awesome people. The first was Arnaldo, he is the brother of a family in the church, and he lives with them. We had passed by a couple of times to see how this family was doing, and this week we ran into him for the first time and we were able to share something with him from the scriptures. He said he'd never really been involved in religion but that he is really interested now, seeing how it has affected his family positively. The second person we found this week is Daniel. He was born in Columbia but then moved to China. We met him at the beginning of last week, after him only being in the US for 2 to 3 days. We taught him some things from the scriptures and he went to the English class that we have. He he loves learning, so we are exciting to teach him some more. 

I'd like to share two scriptures that really jumped out to me this week. They both talk about faith, how we use it, and how it grows. I like sports so I'm going to relate the scriptures to that. The first scripture is in Helaman 15:7-8, 

"as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth...and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them. Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free."

I think this verse is talking about what I would call "faith practice", how we live and what we can do to make our faith stronger and firmer. The next scripture is in 1 Peter 1:6-7, and this scripture made more sense to me in Spanish, so here's it in Spanish and also the translation. 

"...por un poco de tiempo tengáis que ser afligidos con diversas tentaciones, para que la prueba de vuestra fe... sea hallada digna de alabanza, gloria y honra, cuando Jesucristo sea manifestado;" (translation)"...for a little while you have to be afflicted with various temptations, so that the test of your faith... may be found worthy of praise, glory, and honor, when Jesus Christ is manifested"

To me this verse sounds like game day, that we have to play in, that everyone has in their lives. I want to be able to perform well, I want to have practiced, used, and acted on my faith enough, hopefully more than enough, to get through the temptations and trials that come my way. 

Sorry this email was so long! I really hope you guys read it! See you next week.

Elder Edholm