Week 89: 100 😯: March 22, 2021

 The weather this week kinda sloppy and we had another severe weather warning which they claimed NC was gonna get ravaged by tornados, so the mission had us stay inside all day Thursday. The best weather of the week was actually Thursday, it didnt rain a drop. we did have a good lesson with our friend Yusen who is on date for April 2nd- it was pretty funny because we were talking about knowing how the Book of Mormon is true and I asked if he knows if it is true, and he said "why does that matter" for a second I thought we were about to drop him but when asking some follow up questions he said "there is no reason for me to doubt that it is not true." Guess there was just a little misunderstanding there haha, but his faith is so strong, especially for someone starting out not ever hearing about Jesus Christ. 

My studies as of late have been focused on the Atonement especially because of Easter creeping up. There are really 3 aspects of the gospel that I am extremely passionate about: The Atonement and missionary work being 2 of them. It is really amazing how the atonement is the centerpiece of every part of our religion, and we can really see a piece of the atonement in anything. My probably favorite chapter of scripture for the past 21 months has been Alma 26. The reason for this is because of how much it talks about the atonement bringing their brethren to the gospel. These ordinary people had gone through everything to help bring the Lamanites to a knowledge of the gospel, and repeatedly talk about being stoned, persecuted, spit upon, and other unfathomable things. There is a great correlation in this, as they were also some of the greatest missionaries to ever live. I know that to be able to preach and testify to anyone of the cleansing and changing power of the atonement, that you yourself will have to live through the prolonged periods of repentance, remorse, and sacrifice. These steps ultimately made them successful in the work, and although I have not gone through but a small portion of what they experienced these past 21 months, I have grown to a greater appreciation of Christ's atonement than I ever would have in my whole lifetime. I think there is always a great misunderstanding of Christ's Atonement, people tend to believe his suffering for us was only in the garden and on the cross. He in reality suffered for everyone his whole life; he was persecuted and tempted all throughout his minstry. Christ's greatest moment of suffering was, yes, in the Garden and on the cross, because in that moment he did something for us that was the most amazing of all miracles he did on the earth. Theres somewhat of a parallel of this to us. We have periods of time where we are tempted, hurt, and tested. But there will be 1 point in life where you will experience the most temptation, the most hurt, and be tested the most. When we allow Christ's atonement to flood our lives, it can turn the most dark and dreary situation into the biggest miracle of our life. How are you going to apply the Atonement in your life?
高长老 (Elder Ensign)
5060 Six Forks Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609
2 Nephi 22:2
Pics:
Happy hundo today!