Sanderson
Family and Friends, 01/22/2013
Another
successful week in this wonderful part of the Lord's vineyard. I hope ya'lls
(don't worry, I don't really talk like that) week was just as wonderful. We
found 12 new investigators! Some are a little more solid than others but they
are still all progressing. One of the coolest families we found was the Alvarez
Family. The father is in prison for the next 10+ years, so the young mother
Isabel (24) has been struggling to keep the family afloat. I was on exchanges
with Elder Bosselman when we found them and we both felt really inspired to
teach this young woman and her family about modern revelation. I've never
taught that on a first lesson, so it was new but the Spirit insisted. I pulled
out my iPod and speakers and we played her a talk from this last General
Conference. We listened to Elder
Eyring's address "Where is the Pavilion?
I've never seen a person so moved and touched by the Spirit as was this
woman. Through tears she explained to us that she had lost all faith and hope
in the existence of a God. She now realized that she was the one that was
creating that pavilion that obscured her vision.
Our other
investigators are doing great! Omar and Pete have their baptismal interviews
this Sunday! Que padre no? The Verdin Family is progressing but slowly. Carlos'
work is getting in the way of the lessons. We have been praying for a miracle
to happen. We have a lesson with them tonight and so hopefully all goes well!
Today I
wish to speak about the worth of souls. I love this quote by C.S. Lewis that
really puts into perspective who we truly are.
"It
is a serious thing," says Lewis, "to live in a society of possible
gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person
you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be
strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now
meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree,
helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of
these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection
proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all
friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no 'ordinary' people.
You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations
-- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is
immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit -- immortal
horrors or everlasting splendors. Aside from the blessed Sacrament, your
neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses." C.S. Lewis "The Weight of Glory"
So the
question is...do we see others in this light? Maybe more importantly...do we
see ourselves in this light? Our Father in Heaven does. Our Savior does. Jesus
Christ willingly suffered and died for us...Why? Because he sees us as what we
can become. This Gospel is a gospel of "becoming". We cannot be
anxiously engaged is this marvelous work and not have this divine vision that
our Father and Brother have. We must see others and ourselves as what we can
become. If we do not...we will never improve. Without vision there can be no
progression. Our Heavenly Father has clearly stated his vision for us. In Moses
1:39 we read, "For this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the
immortality and eternal life of man"
Do we not share that same vision? Do we help others have this vision? If
not, may we resolve to see others in a different light. Let us forgive others
of their 100 pence flaws...our Savior has forgiven our ten thousand talent
mistakes. For our Savior has promised us, "Blessed are the merciful: for
they shall obtain mercy." (Mathew 5:7) My mission has truly raised my vision
and I am eternally grateful for that. We must do all we can to help others
return home. We are all on this journey...let us lift those who sit by on the
wayside believing all is lost. I love you all so much!
con amor
Elder
Sanderson
Texas
McAllen Mission
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