October 23, 2012

Dear Family,

Another week has flown by! I just can't even believe it.

This week has definitely been a rocky week as far as investigators go, but Sister Adams and I have been really good about staying upbeat. People write me all the time in their letters and comment that it seems like I don't have a lot of hard times, but the truth of it is that I do, but I know Christ is with me and I know I can get through them. They seem like tiny little things when I know I'm not alone.

Sister Adams and I are teaching ward scripture study tonight. We planned it during companion study, so I studied for it in personal study. We had already decided we wanted to do it on the baptismal covenant, what it means, how we can remember it and the role of the sacrament in renewing our covenant. I was reading in I think it was July's "Ensign" and it had a really cool quote by Elder Oaks. It was talking about all the covenants we make and the importance of understanding the living up to them. The quote said, "The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts -- what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts -- what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." Wow! Isn't that amazing! I know I'm guilty of not remembering my covenants and allowing them to change me as much as I should, but that's what the sacrament is for. It's a reminder and renewal of all of our covenants. By seriously reexamining ourselves each week before we take the sacrament, we are able to get ourselves back on track so we can become what the Heavenly Father wants us to be, not just go through the motions. Neat, huh?

I love you all times a billion and miss you so much! I'm doing great though, seriously. No worries here!

Love,

Sister Butters :-)