Well... here we go...
These last two years I have learned by experience through the ups, downs, the laughs that bring you to tears, and the tears that bring you to your knees that the gospel is true. It is perfect. It has caused me to think deeply about My Heavenly Father and The Savior their love for me. As I have spent my time riding around like a mad man, sweating, inviting, promising, inviting again, and again, and again, I have learned to find pure joy in the process. I have come to understand my Savior on a deeper level through this process. I have come to realized that the process of waking up everyday, working hard, being obedient, sweating, inviting again, again, and again is simply what the savior did. I have been simply following the Saviors example. I have been learning the most important lesson of the gospel. Love.
"Come follow me" He said.
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| Wonderful friends in Taiboa presenting gift to Elder Redding on his last day. |
As I was riding the bus one afternoon in TaiBao heading to JaiYi for a district meeting. I found myself pondering the great plan of salvation. I looked at all of the people standing and sitting in the bus and wondered how they got there. How did they end up in TaiBao. My mind kept pondering this over and over and over until the spirit whispered to my heart and my mind a message that has forever changed me. "All of these people, every single one have at one point in there existence accepted the Savior and My (Heavenly Fathers) plan. You just need to relay the message to come follow Him. " At that moment I had completely new view on the whole entire gospel and every single thing around me. I was filled with the love of the Savior and as the scriptures say will filled with a desire to do no evil and only do good continually. I knew that it was the Holy Ghost that had relayed this message from a Loving Heavenly Father. I took another look around in the bus and saw everyone and pictured them in the pre mortal life. I tried to picture what they looked like when they chose the Savior and heard the wonderful message that they would be able to make it back to live with Him and the Father forever. I pictured these wonderful people smiling, some graciously crying at the thought that they had a Savior that was willing to suffer and die for them. I then pictured myself right there with them. I pictured myself there hugging, smiling, and shedding tears of joy with them knowing that we have a Savior. I realized then the the driving force of the gospel is love .I can't remember a time where I felt such a deep love for God, of for those around me than that brief moment on the bus in TaiBao. The whole plan was created out of love.
"Come Follow me" He said.
"We will." We all said.
I know that the Savior lives. I know that He loves me. He is my gentle friend, send by the Father to help me learn how to love. Calling out to me and all of us with arms open He says" Come follow me." and invitation by the Savior to learn and feel what love is. The gospel is love. When we live it we are filled with love, not only for God, but for all of Gods creations. Including our brothers and sisters spread all over the earth. I love my brothers and sisters here in Taiwan. They will always be in my heart. I will continue to follow the Savior and learn this lesson of love so that I may dwell safely with all those that are dear to me in the Kingdom of the Father.
"Come Follow me" He said
"I will" I say.
There is a direct correlation with following the Savior and being filled with the love of the gospel.Let us follow the Savior every day, do the things he did, talk the way he talked, and love the way that he loved.
I love you all so much. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve My Lord and Savior for these past 2 years. I love the wonderful people here in Taiwan. They are my brothers and sisters. I love my Savior. I know that families are eternal and that Heavenly Father has a plan for every single one of His children.
Fantastic news "Y" is getting baptized this week!
See you all next week!
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
