July 14th 2014

Middle of July already? Where has the time gone? It doesnt seem to be slowing down but only speeding up.. A month and the kids will be back in school again, and life will continue at the crazy pace that its going. 

 This past week was a complete blur. I had no idea what day was what. Wednesday felt like Saturday and Thursday was Monday.. confused all around and now its Monday again.. Whaaaaa? 

We are still feverntly looking for more people to teach, so if anyone has Ecuadorian family, please dont hesitate to let me know. :) The couple that we have been working with will be married this week :) and then baptized this Saturday :) We are teaching another two families that are a little more difficult but gotta have faith! Things are going well in the work :)

I was reading this past week about how we are tempted. As members of the Church we always think "oh Id never drink, or smoke" or whatever thing that would be considered as an "Extreme". I read a quote from David O Mckay that reads... Many trees withstand hurricanes, but many yield to bugs that can barely seen with a microscope. How true is that? Today in the world, there are many good people, with good intentions. But many times those good people fall, why is that? 

The principle of the Utah Mountains is a good one! How many pine trees are dead? A ton, and that all started with one bug. Or one thought or one action. How many of us say, ah just one party wont hurt! Or just this one time... Remeber it all starts with one, and all those good people that have great intentions, now are good people but with not so great actions. Satan knows we all have our limits. Those coupls who say they will never get pregnant or have sex before they are married are often caught in tears as the truth is revaled that soon they will be little mommy and daddy. Satan knew that, this young couple was caught in a late night after a dance or date, just like they had been many times before, and he knew that they are only so strong, that after so many times, that this young dating couple could only resist the temptation for so long. He knows the limits. 

If we look at the big picture, does it seem worth it? To give up all you have worked for? When we look at the big picture, its not worth it! Remeber the words of Alma, wickedness never was happiness! (Alma 41:10) And nor will it ever be!  Remember the best cure is prevention, if we decide now, then when the trials and challenages of life come, we will never have to question what we should do. 

We arent alone, those of us who have fallen, there is a way, through the atonement. Those who put a 10% effort will be carried 90% of the way by our Lord and Savior. Dont ever give up, just get out. 

A word of warning for those preparing for the mish! Leave old things that dont do you any good behind. Anything, or friend that may be on a differnet path than you. Remember that all those dead trees started with one. We have all heard that we become like those we are around, so I ask who are you with and what are you doing? I promise Satan will work harder than ever to try to get you to fall, I felt it so strongly before I left and I promise he will do anything to get you to fall. Stay worthy and remember that the man on top didnt fall there. :) Be careful with girls future missionaries, they can be the hardest things to deny. You shouldnt be alone with them anyway :) And you cannot teach or preach anything you dont live! 

I love you all and hope that you all have a great week! Thanks for all the support that is given! 

 

Elder Strang