uh oh... guess what day it is?!

  

Hello!

So this week I hit my year mark! I canNOT believe it. I feel it's been a year, but at the same time, I'm weirded out that I'm closer to my end day. I've learned a lot and had a lot of experiences to show me who I should be. I've met so many people, good and bad, and have testified so many times. I miss a lot of people, but I feel like I'll be home soon enough, hahaha. 

I want my family to know I love them. I want my friends to know I'm glad to have them. I want all to know how much God loves them: too much to understand. Don't doubt God's love or Christ's atonement. I've seen the good it can do, and I've tried my darndest to leave my sins behind (though that's easier said than done). I've become nicer to myself and realized who I am in the sight of God. All this in a year, and I still have 49 weeks to experience more!!!!!!!

Here's the monthly poem until now:

"Hurrah for Israel! My work has begun!

I'm ready for trials, bring on the fun!

I give these next two years to my Lord!

I wield the Holy Armour, shield, and sword!

Hurrah for Israel! What more can I say?

May the Refiner's fire light my way!

Awake my soul! Rejoice my heart!

My Lord, please make me as thou art!

Hurrah for Israel! The field is white!

The world is dark, but our light is bright!

Temptations run rampant, the natural man is strong.

But my God is with me, He leads me along!

Hurrah for Israel! Have faith in Christ!

For when we fall He helps us Rise!

His Atonement is there, and His love is unchanging,

He can calm any storm that's raging!

Hurrah for Israel and the Blacksmith above!

I´m folded and battered by His perfecting Love!

Through His great care and patience, a sword I will become,

A weapon against the darkness, Until our savior doth come!

Hurrah for Israel! I can't understand,

the love the Lord gives with nail-scarred hands.

He does the impossible and shows us the way.

HE'S the one still standing at the end of the day.

Hurrah for Israel! Six months have now passed!

In the service of Him who is both first and last!

I've grown so much; and though I'm a debtor,

I pray and strive every day to be better.

Hurrah for Israel! I am but a man!

If you cut me I'll bleed, but I'll do all I can,

to be the kind of person I know that I can be

Look to Christ in everything and follow His loving lead!

Hurrah for Israel! not a judge but a witness!

I self-test my character with Spiritual Litmus!

I must always be honest, humble, and kind

and keep the Atoning Redeemer in Mind!"

Hurrah for Israel! Hold to the Rod,

and never forget you're a Child of God.

Do not let the Adversary lead you astray

Trust in the Savior, cuz He knows the way.

Hurrah for Israel! No words can explain,

The gratitude I feel when I think of His pain.

I'm humbled by the grace Christ readily gives,

and rejoice in the fact that today He still lives.

Hurrah for Israel! With testimony of Fire!

To be His disciple is my deepest desire!

I'll bear what comes without complaint or groan,

for I'm son to a King, heir to His throne!

Hurrah for Israel! A Year completed!

Temptations are strong, but I’m FAR from defeated!

My soul’s not descented, though Satan’s surely tried,

But I’m not afraid, for the Lord’s not my side!

So onward good soldier, Shoulder to the wheel!

Faith as a boulder, show the love that you feel!

Have faith in Christ, Sanctify yourself!

You’re not alone, Christ’s there to help!"

Have a great week!

Élder Sharp

Elder Bednar

Good day to all!
So this past week was a good one. We had a visit from one of the Apostles of the Church, Elder Bednar, and we received direction from him. That was awesome. Today we went to "the Penesillo", which is a giant statue of a virgin, and my companion went and bought a lot of Recuerdos for the end of his mission.


This past week was a good one and this next week I hit a year. I'm excited to see what happens.

 Thought I would share this with you:  When I was living with Jess and Travis, I one day felt a lot of stress. I can't remember exactly when, but I was watching Ryan and was thinking a lot on what was going on. I didn't have NEARLY enough for my mission and was just.... thinking on everything. I felt a weight, until I looked over at Ryan and saw him lying there, just looking at his hands, opening and closing his fingers and smiling his sweet smile. I immediately thought of how we are told we should be as children and trust in God. Ryan was stress free, staring at his hands as if they were the coolest thing ever; I felt as though I should be that way. I should think on what I have, what I've accomplished, and trust that God helps, especially when I don't feel qualified to be His Son's representative.  I've thought a lot on the Hymns we have in the Church, especially the hymn "Where Can I Turn For Peace" and I love the listen to them. It doesn't matter who I was before, what I lack, or what others think and do; I will be a loyal son the my Heavenly Father and I  will be who He is depending on me to be.

 

I hope y'all have a great week!

 

Élder Sharp