You're as cold as Ice

One of the nice things about my new area is that I live in a house that has almost lukewarm water. It's not like the water in my other house that I'm pretty sure they pump straight from Antarctica. Another nice thing is that all the roads are flat unlike the steep, often made of dirt, streets of previous area. There are still dirt roads. In fact where we do most of our proselyting there are only dirt roads. As far as creature comforts go, I'm in a much more comfortable place. I'm still learning a lot about my new job. I have to take care of all the reported numbers for the whole mission. I also have to make sure all the baptismal records are sent to Salt Lake. I was also told that I need to head up retention efforts in the mission as well. I'm excited to learn more and more and be able to help out the mission. 

How about that conference? It's amazing how much faster general conference goes by when you're in the mission paying extreme attention to the speakers. This was a great conference. There were three main topics that I picked out of it.

1. Missionary work is as much for members as it is for Missionaries and everyone needs to get involved in it. 

2. Perilous times are coming.

3. We must always look forward with faith and hope because the Lord Jesus Christ is with us and if we are prepared we shall not fear. 

I was reading the scriptures the other day in Alma 5. I found a little something, almost an evaluation, that I would like to share. 

14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

 15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

 16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me yea blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?

 17 Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?

 18 Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?

 19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?

There is more in the chapter and I would encourage all of you to read it, evaluate yourself, and then make appropriate changes in your life accordingly. 

I love hearing from all of you and if you have any questions you would like answered, please send me an email. Have a great week.

-Elder Rowberry