Crunchy Leaves & Spooky Things

Passed out candy to missionaries at the MTC on Halloween. Hna. Johnston and I went to stake correlation. We also had some interesting people and opinions in our doorstep approaches but it was good to focus them on the Savior. They reminded me that life needs to be centered on Christ, otherwise we are in danger of complicating the simplicity of the gospel or church and allowing the details of this earthly experience distract or distance us from Him. 

In a mission conference, we watched a clip from the story of Jesus sleeping during a storm at sea and being awoken to calm it. How could he sleep? He knew who He was. He tells His apostles they fear because they do not have faith. The first thing spoken by an angel of the Lord to a mortal is often "Fear not." The Lord doesn't want us to spend our lives worrying. Faith is the first principle because without it we have nothing else. As I continue to have my own questions, day by day I receive just enough light to take another step, to keep believing and trying. I'm ever grateful because "I'd much prefer to follow His light" than choose darkness (Elder Bednar). 

Finished a challenge Pres. Nelson made to read every verse cited about Jesus Christ in the standard works as listed under the main heading and subtitles in the Topical Guide. It took me a year to do what he did in 6 weeks, but I have surely seen the promised blessings. He's a fast one to keep up with and I love that :) In an interview after the Chile Concepcion temple dedication, the prophet said, "If you think the church has been fully restored, you've just seen the beginning. There's much more to come. Wait 'til next year and then the next year! Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It's going to be exciting." 

Love, Hermana Jerman