Week 96: The Spirit knows ALL things

Hello Friends and Family,

This week has been great. We have seen the Lord completely change the work in the Centurion area since we chose to rely on Him and not on ourselves.

The past 2 weeks we have been teaching a man named Chris. We found Chris one night at about 10:45 pm, while we were sleeping... No but seriously. While we were sleeping our phone starting buzzing. I rolled out of bed to check what it was and it turned out to be a media referral! A member of the church, from Utah, met Chris while in Spain. They talked a bit and he agreed to have her send his number to us. In her message to us she mentioned how he is a bit hesitant to have us visit him but that he said he would attend church that week. We sent Chris a message informing him about ourselves and church. He quickly and eagerly responded informing us that he would be at church. I am happy to report, he came to church 2 weeks ago as well as yesterday and we met with him twice this past week. When we met him the first time, his exact words were "I want to learn about these things for myself, not believe what is on the internet." The lessons we've had with him have been awesome and evidence of his desire to learn and find the truth. He expressed to us that he has been searching for something that is missing for a while now. We love Chris!

On Tuesday we had an exchange with the Zone Leaders. I had the opportunity to go with Elder Papenfuss (Salt Lake City, Utah) to his area. We had a blast together. We are suppose to be going home together but due to his school starting early he'll be leaving 3 weeks before me. He is a great example to me. We had a pretty funny experience together. The area we were in is a township. We began tracting because our appointment fell through. We knocked on one door and an old Gogo (grandma) came to the door. I kindly greeted her in her native language, usually that puts a big smile on their face. Not this time, a big scowl remained on her face. After saying a few more things to her in her native tongue she abruptly slammed the door on our faces!! Elder Papenfuss and I died laughing! We couldn't believe what had just happened. That never happens in township. It was a great day and exchange.

We had interviews with President Leavitt on Wednesday. Those are always amazing and motivating. He and I had the opportunity to study together about the enabling power of Jesus Christ and His atonement.

On Saturday we had an exchange with our District Leader. I had the privilege of being with Elder Mendes (Brazil) in my area. Elder Mendes is hilarious! We had a great time together, it was mostly filled with laughs.

At church on Sunday there was something that stood out to me from one of the talks given. He quoted Alma 7:10-13. I have read these versus many times but this time around I learned something I hadn't before.

10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

We learn and know that the Spirit knows all things. Jesus Christ knows every pain, sorrow, affliction, sickness, temptation, and sin that we have ever felt or experienced. He could have received this knowledge from the Spirit but due to His love for us and desire to be able to succor us to the best of His ability, He suffered according to the flesh to receive that knowledge through personal experience.

Love, Elder Rash