This week I have been reminded of the importance of the Atonement. This morning, in personal study, I read Enos.... my FAVORITE! As I read, I was reminded of experiences in my own life and how real Enos' experience is. "The wrestle which I had with God before I received a remission of sins." I think we all wrestle in the time of repentance - maybe not necessarily with God, but with the adversary. Wondering to know what God thought of Him, Enos' faith and desire allowed him to receive confirmation that his sins were forgiven him. As we desire to know these things, and are using the atonement...Satan wants us to feel like we can't, that there's no point in even trying to get right with God. Even after we have received that confirmation, Satan likes to bring up our pasts as a tool...but as we are strong and constantly focus on the here and now and where we are going, we are able to resist remembering the past. If that makes any sense whatsoever...haha...I'm not the best with writing exactly how I feel all the time, but oh how I am so grateful for the Atonement! I was also reminded of how when we truly understand the Atonement and experience it in our own lives, we have a greater desire to share the gospel with others. Enos experienced this. Lehi experienced this. I have experienced this. The more and more I understand the gospel, particularly the Atonement and what our Savior did for us...the greater my desire to share the gospel is and the happier I am! So, I invite all of you to study the Atonement this week and feel the power and joy that comes from it each and every day! :) Then share it with someone else!
Yesterday, we saw Pam (who is getting baptized on Saturday). She is an angel in my life, and is so close to the spirit. As we talked, she shared with us her testimony of Jesus Christ and what he has done for her and how grateful she is to have us in her life and what strength she has received from us and the understanding we have helped her receive. Pam was in an accident when she was 5, being hit and drug by a truck...leaving her with a serious brain injury so she is slow and takes time to remember and understand things. Yesterday, she told us she listened to 2 CDs of the Book of Mormon, and for the first time understood it all and knows the importance of what we have been teaching her. She was able to attend a baptism on Saturday with us, and explained that as he went under the water and came up, she literally felt what he was feeling and knew that she is making the right decision to be baptized. It has been amazing to see her testimony, knowledge, and understanding grow in the 6 months I've been here...and I know I came here because Heavenly Father needed me to meet her so she could strengthen my testimony.
Jesus Christ lives. He loves us. The church is true. The Book of Mormon is real and written for us individually. I am so grateful for these things, and grateful for what the gospel has done for me, for what each of you have done for me as well.
Love always,
Sister Natalia Alston
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