Week 86: Happy Easter

Hello Friends and Family,

Well this week started off with a few trips to the airport. I got to drop off my companion and future roommate, Elder Spencer, at the airport. Then later in the day we got to go to the airport again to drop off all the Americans who were heading home, including my companion of three weeks, Elder Nau. It was sad to see these guys go, but it was great to see that they were all excited knowing that they had served the Lord with all their heart. I’m grateful for this group who went home and their great example.

We learned a great lesson in regards to persistence this week. About 2 months ago Elder Spencer and I were approached by a lady who wanted us to come visit her. Long story short we scheduled appointments and had her cancel on us time after time. We lost contact for a bit and then we ran into her at a complex in our area. We once again began seeking to meet with her. After about 2 months we were finally able to have a lesson with her this past week. This lady, Simone, opened up to us. She shared how she wants to leave the things of this world, how she is suffering from depression and voices in her head that are causing her to lose sleep and all happiness. As she was sharing these things and we were asking questions, you could tell she was very nervous and considerably distraught. Elder Willison and I took the opportunity to teach her about the priesthood power that was given to the apostles in Matt 10:1 and how it is on the earth again and that we held it. We explained to her that blessings could be performed with that power. Elder Willison and I then had the opportunity to lay our hands on her head and give her a blessing. After the blessing you could see a completely change in Simone. She was no longer shaking with nerves or crying tears of anguish. She had a sense of relief and hope. She proceeded to ask us question after question about the plan of salvation. It was an amazing time that we had with her. I know that there is a reason the Lord impressed us to continue to persist with Simone. It was clear in the lesson we had with her.

On Sunday, I had the privilege to speak in church. As I prepared for my talk on the Savior, I had much time to reflect on the lonely journey that he went through of bearing the burden of our salvation. He may have been entirely alone at the end of his journey when he cried out “My God my God why hasn’t tho forsaken me.” we however do not have to walk our mortal journey alone. We have the Savior Jesus Christ and his yoke which we can take upon ourselves to ease our burdens. Christ is side by side with us as we walk this mortal journey, and at times he is carrying us. Christ conquered death. He lives again. And so shall we.

Sincerely, Elder Rash