Sister Sariah E Robertson: Week 47: Don't let your boat rock.

Twinning

Salam,

That is hello in Farsi.

This week was filled with miracles. I wish I had enough time to share them all, but I'll try to give some of the highlights (:

1) Emily, the less active we have been working with, IS COMING TO CHURCH JULY 31st. She is just amazing. She is a living testimony of the principle of progression. We each fall short sometimes, actually several times in this life, but through Jesus Christ there is always a way back! Her testimony is so solid, and she is repenting and improving everyday. Two weeks ago after our visit she texted us asking for a Book of Mormon, as hers was in storage, and when we came this past Monday she had been reading it every single night. And you could just see how happy she was. That light of Christ inside her is just glowing again, and she truly is beginning to heal from her past decisions, as well as the heartbreak and loss of her father that she has been dealing with.

2) Brianna is at her moms for the next two weeks (boo), but we are still meeting with Mark. They are coming to church next Sunday for the first time, we are so excited! Mark also texted us the sweetest thing which I'll attach in another e-mail!

3) We also just started teaching this sweet girl named, Ava, she is 16 and literally adorable. She hasn't grown up with too much religious background so she is very open and believes the things we teach her. Her grandmother has been her only spiritual influence in her life, but through that, she has been able to learn and hear experiences of how God is there and loves us and will answer our prayers and so she fully trusts that she can build that relationship too and is excited to keep learning and do that.

Really though, we have just been able to find and meet so many wonderful people.

This past week we had District Meeting, which is a meeting with a couple of other sets of missionaries serving in surrounding areas. Each week we have the opportunity to continue to learn how to be better disciples of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the Spirit, that is truly able to teach us, all things.

This past week's District meeting was wonderful. We've been talking a lot about Diligence recently. In Preach My Gospel under Diligence it says,

Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord's work.

At a previous conference we had a couple of months ago, when talking about being more diligent missionaries we stopped to discuss really what each of those words meant individually. One sister said, when thinking about the words steady and consistent, that she felt like that meant not allowing your boat to be rocked. That even when the storms of life make our road kind of shaky and rocky, not to let that effect our boats ability to stay a float.

That really stuck out to me and is something I have continued to ponder these past couple of weeks. And I've learned and realized that it's truly our faith that allows our boat to be secure, despite the winds.

In Matthew 14, the experience of Peter walking on water is described.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Peter, as soon as he took his eyes off of the Savior, and focused on the boisterous winds and tempest sea, began to sink. Likewise, we too sink, as we take our eyes off of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and allow all the things that are going wrong, or all the things that seem hard or scary or unfair, or whatever it may be, distract us. We loose faith, and our individual boats begin to rock.

Each of us can be diligent in every aspect of our lives. As we keep our sights fixed on the hope and light that our Savior offers, we, like Peter, have the faith to walk through the storms of this life. We too, can consistently work hard, and do all that is required of us, despite any circumstance of tidal wave that may appear.

I am so grateful for this gospel, and especially for my Savior, Jesus Christ, in whom I put my full trust and faith. I am so grateful to know that because of Him, each of us truly can "be of good cheer", no matter what phase of life we are in. He loves us. He will always carry us home.

Love always,

Sister Robertson

Also, here are some quotes from Brianna last week!

1) "I almost have Joseph Smith's vision thing memorized because I have just read it so many times!!"

2) (After teaching them about eternal families) *Turns around to her dad* "I get another life with you!!!!"

3) (After teaching the plan of Salvation) "Before I knew about this thing, I was scared to die.. But now I'm not scared anymore!! It actually seems kind of fun!"

4) (A text we received from Mark) "Brianna just said that the two of you are her new BFF's"

5) "I like you guys more than I like chocolate."

6) Us: Can we come back on Thursday? Mark: Yeah, that should be good! Us: Let us know if anything changes! Brianna: Dad. Don't let anything change.

AHHHH WE JUST LOVE HER WITH OUR WHOLE ENTIRE SOULS.