The week in review-
Monday we got invited to half of MLC, which is usually just for zone leaders and STLs. "You're playing with the big boys now...!" It was a great meeting. We needed it. I'm probably more pumped than just about ever, despite the fact that I've pretty much been going through the 5 stages of grief (or the Kübler-Ross model; look it up) as my final days approach.
Also with so little preparation we all had to improvise as far as sleeping accommodations went.
Don't they just look snug as bugs in rugs? Or... snugglies and bugglies in rugglies? You know what I mean.
But enough about that.
The town of Raymondville sports the aptly named Smiley Face Park, with this water tower looming over it.
Adorable, right???
And last night I had my first homemade tacos since I got to Harlingen like 4 months ago. They came from the Daniels, who are as white as white can be. The Rio Grande Valley is a silly place.
I just wanna encourage every single one of you, know matter who you are, where you are or what you're doing, to enjoy every single minute of it. 'Cause time like literally moves faster and faster the longer it goes. I can't explain it, but you definitely don't want to look back with any regrets when it (whatever it is) is over. You feel me? Me explicit?
Mosiah 24:14: "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." Sometimes we have tough experiences so that we can: 1. See the hand of God, 2. Bear witness of God, and 3. Strengthen each other with our faith. As the people of Ammon shared their experiences with the people in Zarahemla, they bonded with them and were united and all of their testimonies were strengthened.
Burdens and trials are great. We all know we came to life to be tested, right? So we have trials. How do we pass the test? Well, obviously, we shouldn't turn to wickedness or sin to get away from hard times. But not failing isn't the same as passing or even acing a test. We all know we need to have faith, but what happens if we go through trials with bad attitudes? We're not passing the test! One of the biggest things I've learned (and am still learning) is that, as long as we're doing something good, the Lord doesn't care so much about what we do about it, but how we do it and where our heart is. And obviously doing that will strengthen our testimonies!
I love you all like Lindsay Lohan loves attention: with a desperate, depraved obsession.
Just kidding, but almost. <3 div="">
Con mucho amor,
Elder Dylan Young
