2nd week at MTC

*Okay this last week has been so amazing. It has been the hardest yet most rewarding week of my life.

I can only email once a week and that is Monday for me and when I do I only have 30 minutes. So I pretty much write everything before I get on and then just type it up. On that note, I can only write letters on Monday as well. So I write everyone back on that day. :) thank you for all the letters, dearElders, and notes I have received so far! It really brightens my day and helps me realize how much support and love I have. Thank you so much! :D

 

*Food for thought:

Doctrine and Covenants 76:69

"These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus Christ the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of blood."

In this scripture the phrase "just men" often is referred to as men who are good. Who are just in their dealings. But as I read it recently I viewed the phrase "just men" as people who are just human. We make mistakes. We are not perfect yet. We are just men.

This gospel is FULL of just men who have the opportunity to become better and be forgiven for our mistakes because of the love of our savior shown through his sacrifice for us.

 

*Another scripture that stood out to me this week is Doctrine and Covenants 3:3, "Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men."

I feel that scripture speaks for itself. Please don't over look it.

 

*President Boyd K Packer said this, "The spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all."  This is amazing. How can we even begin to think that we are not receiving answers from the Lord before we stop to think if we are actually listening. I am trying ever so hard to be less "preoccupied".

 

*Yesterday and today have been really healing days for me. I have regrets about my past and it's hard to let go. It's hard when you have sinned, when you have made a mistake and other people still remember it. When other's thoughts interfere. For me it has been hard to forgive myself when others have their own perception. But I have learned that it's okay to let go.

Let it go. Accept that you made errors. Accept that you're not perfect and that people have been hurt because of you. Repent. Do right. Forgive. Then let it go. Let go of what people think of you and move forward. Promise yourself to do better - then do. The Lord's atonement is useless if we do not accept what he has done.

 

*I have learned so much this week and I again am humbled by the healing power of the Atonement.