Monday, March 21, 2016

Week #9 Get to Work

Kansas Wichita Mission Office

Monday, March 21, 2016

¡Otro semana en paraíso!
Another week in Paradise!

I guess I need to fill everyone in on what it is that has been
happening here on my mission. I apologize for being so brief and
negative in my past two weeks. I have made it sound horrifying to be a
missionary!! I have been suffering from some extreme anxiety, so bad
that it was practically paralyzing me to the point where even when we
were serving someone I would lose focus and get shaky. I have been
started on some medications to help calm my anxiety. They really were
not helping, I was try I'll that I could to come out here. At this
point after much prayer, talking with my mission president, the APs,
my Zone Leaders, everyone you can think of, I was set on coming home.
Plane ticket was purchased, itinerary set, I should've been on a plane
to Arizona right now. I was just miserable. What happened? Why a
sudden change of mind?

My beloved young men's president gave me a call yesterday. He told me
there is no way in heaven that you are coming home. How could he say
this? Did he not know what I was going through? Did he not understand
I am suffering and that going home would be the best thing for me? He
understood perfectly that I was struggling, but he understood
perfectly what the Lord had asked me to do, and something that I had
committed to do a long time ago. I committed to the Lord that I would
serve a mission for 2 full years in the Kansas Wichita mission. I
committed to the Lord that I would go find and rescue those precious
children of God and bring them back to the fold. I committed to the
Lord that I would give Him my everything. Who am I to think that I
could walk away from my mission because my anxiety was getting bad
when our Lord and Savior suffered every pain and affliction. Jesus
Christ had a mission to perform when He came to earth, that was to
complete the Atonement-overcome sin and death. Was it easy? Absolutely
not. Did he suffer? So much more than any human being could ever
comprehend. Did he complete his mission? Yes. Why? Because he didn't
think once about himself. He knew that if he failed all mankind would
be lost and fallen forever. He suffered all that he suffered for each
and every one of us. So it came to my realization that I need to stop
thinking about myself and fully, 100% put my faith in the master, the
one who conquered everything. I need to truly get lost in the work.

I always knew the Savior was there for me, I always knew the Atonement
was available to me, but it has never impacted me as much as it has
these past few days. Family and friends, if you think you are alone
you are NEVER alone. If you think you can't conquer what may seem an
unconquerable task, you can WITH the Savior. I testify to you that
Jesus Christ knows each and every one of you by name. He knows your
struggles me weaknesses. He knows what makes you cry and what makes
you laugh. Call out for help from Him and He will help you. He is all
powerful and with Him you can do all things. If it were not for Jesus
Christ I would not be here serving a mission for 2 years. If I did not
absolutely know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
was the true church I would not be out here in Kansas. Brothers and
Sisters the Church thay Jesus Christ established on the earth has been
Restored. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and because of Him we have
Another Testament of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon. I love the
Savior with all my heart. I am so beyond grateful for Him, for His
sacrifice for me personally. I feel Him walking beside me every step
of the way, I challenge each of you to reach out to Him.

While I know that my mission will continue to be a challenge, with
many times of trials, I know that there are so many happy moments
ahead. I know that this truly is Christ's work, the greatest, holiest,
most amazing work in the entire universe. May God be with all of you,
always remember who you are, you are a beloved Child of God.

How Firm a Foundation
3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

This week is Holy Week- the week leading up to Easter. Please take two
minutes to watch this video our church has put together about Jesus
Christ. What has Christ done for you? What are you doing to show your
gratitude to Him?

¡Dios te bendiga!

Con Amor,

Elder Pilkington
I love to see the temple!

President Bell and I


Oklahoma City temple
Everybody has Vivint in KS haha!
Fried Pies are so yummy.  Thank you Sister Calder!
Elder Allen is a stud!

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