Wore Out His Shoes in Christ's Service

"Greater Love Hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

You remember when you were little and you grew up singing, "I hope to be a missionary." You envisioned yourself with the name badge and with the white shirt and tie. You imagine getting the door slammed in your face, running from the dogs, and seeing those crazy miracles everyone always talks about. You encircled yourself with the thought of what it would be like to bring someone to the truth and perceive what that must feel like. It is truly humbling to know that the Lord has allowed me to experience all of these things. It is truly humbling to see the Lord's hand every single day within the things I have done. My experience as a missionary has in the simplest of terms transformed my life into something greater than I could have ever made it. Notice in Matthew 4 when the Lord calls to His servants and pleads, "Follow Me, and I will make you Fishers of men." Notice how it doesnt say come and make yourself a Fisher of men. He says If you come, I will make you that way. In John 2 the Lord when the Lord turns water into wine, we very seldom realize that he was not only preforming the initiatory miracle of His Ministry but he was exampling the very thing He said to His Apostles. He took something in its worthless form and made it the best that it could be. How much does it cost to get water? Most of the time its free and sometimes at a very low quality. How much does wine cost? Some bottles of wine cost hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. So it is a parallel of what the Lord can do to us if we allow him. My Friends, I have experienced this in only a small amount and my soul continually cries out to Him in prayer, "How Great Thou Art." I know that what I have experienced is nothing but a sliver, a forerunner as to what the Lord has in store for me. The mission has merely prepared me for the greatest and most miraculous things to come. I am so very grateful that the Lord allowed me to give my life for these people and I thank Him often with my tears.

My Purpose will always be to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of others. My life may change, trials may come, different joys may enter but that purpose will never change. My mission has changed not only my life but my very nature is different. The statement that I know that Jesus is the Christ is an eternal truth. The Mission is just a spec of dust among the span of mortality but oh my, what a wonderful spec. I often ponder of people, families, events, companions, and many other things and it is truly humbling to me to know how merciful our Father is to us. That He is willing to allow one such as I to further His marvelous work is something beyond ones comprehension. There are so many eternal truths which the Lord has made known unto us over the dispensations and I am so grateful for the many times that the same Lord that established these truths was generous enough to confirm them unto me. I have truly seen the effects and influences of the adversary. He has truly reeked unspeakable havoc upon myself and my family during the span of these years while in my service. However, I have seen the Lord deliver us. I am just so grateful and truly humbled for all He has done for me.

I love our Savior... He is Everything to me... The least that I can do is help others come to the same joy and peace which accompanies this information. I would do anything for Him if he needed me too, for He is the Messiah and knows all things as to bring us immortality and provide us Eternal Life. This is His Church... The Book of Mormon is the word of God in every sense of that phrase... He has made a perfect Plan for us... I know these things with everything that I have... and I gladly bear them unto you in the very name of Jesus Christ Himself.

"And then someday when I stumble to the tree,
Ill fall down at the Feet
Of Him who drank that bitter cup,
and made this fruit so sweet."

Thanks to all who have helped me.

Light the World 2018

This Christmas Remember Him and #LighttheWorld

Learn how you can help light the world at https://www.mormon.org/christmas/day-of-service

Promised Blessings for the Maryland Baltimore Mission

As we look back on the things we were taught by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, we will become better missionaries, better brothers and sisters, and better servants of Christ.  Here are a few of the highlights that we were taught that day.  I invite you to read through them and ponder them often as promised blessings will be ours.

PROMISED BLESSING FOR THE MARYLAND BALTIMORE MISSION

(By Elder D. Todd Christofferson Visit on September 8^th, 2018) with Elder Vinson, Elder Haynie, and Elder Calderwood of the Seventy.

1. As you focus on the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you will stay on the path.
2. Those who struggle will feels as the Savior has felt, and because of Him will conquer depression and stress.
3. As you stand at their door step, the kingdom of Heaven will arrive.
4. The Atonement of Jesus Christ will work most in your life as you do all you can do and leave your "mud" behind.
5. Your service here in the mission field is the greatest thing you can do for your families back home, even when trials are amidst.
6.  As you become better teachers, you will be able to help others along the path of repentance and the Spirit will guide you in what their next step is.
7. As you seek and ask, you will receive a witness of our standing before the Lord from time to time and it will bring you forward:

         -   You will have greater persuasiveness in our teaching
         -   You will improve and grow as disciples of Christ
         -   You will be trusted tools in the Lord's hands
         -   You will feel His love more than before
         -   You will find joy in the work 
         -   You will bless others and reflect goodness as you heed the counsel of the Mission 
         -    Scattered Israel hangs around Gathered Israel. 
         -    As scattered Israel reads the Book of Mormon, they'll hear their Shepard's voice. 
         -    You will recognize the scattered Israel because they will keep commitments. 
         -    You will find the elect and our mission will explode in baptisms as we get out of our car and talk with everyone.

     8.  As you humble ourselves and sacrifice, the debt will only grow. The Lord cannot withhold blessings from you as you move forward in faith and diligence.
     9.  All of God's promises are available to you as long as you are obedient and put forth faith.
   10.  Your hearts and desires will change as you live the Gospel.
   11.  As you turn to Christ, His light will immediately expel darkness.

Columbia/Carroll Zone Conference October 2018

Sister Bergstresser's Conference Revelations

I received so much personal revelation this conference that has helped me to grow as a missionary and as a Daughter of God.

I used to always say that there will never be a temple in my hometown, but when President Nelson was announcing the 12 new temples I heard a very distinct voice telling me, "Not never! It is coming! Just be patient and have hope". Through that experience I know that there will be a temple there eventually, whether soon or not it is coming!

That was one of the many revelations that have occurred to me over this General Conference weekend. Many of the other impressions I felt or revelations that I received are more personal but I know strongly that I have received many and that this work is being hastened! We are witnessing this hastening happening now! Prophesies concerning this time are coming forth and I have begun to recognize this more fully through the testimonies of our living Prophets and Apostles this Conference.

-Sister Bergstresser

Mission Photo with Elder Christofferson and Seventy September 8, 2018

Missing when this photo was taken but attending the conference: Tyler Jackson, Robert Lape, Joshua Allred, Joseph Farrell, Eric Bryson, Jared Howell, Logan Teske, Eliza Terry, Sharlee Stratton, Elder and Sister Everts, Elder and Sister Peters

Mission Conference with Elder Todd Christofferson