"I'm a Beast"

Hey everyone :)

BIG SHOUT OUT: to my DUKE boys beating UNC this week.. and the members who text us results of games ;)

This week was really good, the snow has melted and it was 50 degrees I couldn't believe it! We started the week by serving some of our retirement home friends who forget us every time we love them for it. And every time we come they ask us if we are Nuns.. which we actually get a lot. This week we met a little boy named Coleman he is actually fighting cancer right now. He is only two so we spent the afternoon looking at pictures of him and talking about Jesus! He has a tough rough ahead but is such an inspiration to his family and friends. We also found a new investigator this week and taught her the restoration the lesson went super well she is a strong Catholic but wanted to learn more because she is dating someone who is LDS so we are teaching her we have a lesson with her this week so we are looking forward to that as well. We are still working on our new testament class and will start teaching that next week! We had an awesome zone conference this week and stopped by the Meridian Temple which is coming along so much, its going to be gorgeous when it's finished. This week we hit 17 months and we got our flight plans in the mail. It's so hard to believe that time has flown.. Saturday we went to our ward mission leaders daughter's basketball game.. it was super fun. We had been helping her and her brothers in our "skills clinic" one Saturday when we saw them shooting hoops at the gym.. So we went to  cheer her on.. I was probably the loudest I tried not to be but I secretly wanted to hop on the court with those girls or join the coaching staff!!  On the way to our house Daivess her younger brother entertained us.. 

"I'm a best and all I need is my beastness to keep me safe" - his answer to not wearing his seatbelt

Then he was signing about being ashy. and I asked :

"Do you know what ashy is ?"

-Yes

-What?

" A log after it's burned 

As I have been reading the Book of Mormon this week I was studying in Alma Chapter 39 Alma is teaching his son about the effects of sin, and especially the sin that he had committed. He counsels with his son Corinaton: 

 3 And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.

 4 Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.

Sometimes we get trapped in Satan's tactics and are blinded by his craftiness. Those who have made the covenant of baptism have been blessed with a tool to help them to not be deceived which is the Holy Ghost. If we follow God's commandments and are worthy for it's companionship it will provide warnings and direction. But we all have our choice whether to listen and obey. If we listen we will be protected, but if we ignore we can easily be caught in those snares. Instead of feeling sorry for himself that he had committed this sin, Alma counsels his son to Repent. to find Mercy and Grace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Corianton ponders how it is all possible.. but that's just it. The Savior makes it possible mercy, grace, healing and forgiveness when we come with willing hearts to change and become. That path is not easy  nor is it always something that can be repented of quickly but if we love him, and trust him, the Savior is willing to take us as we are and make us into something far greater than we can achieve on our own. Alma last counsel to his son in Chapter 42 is::

 31 And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen

He doesn't adomish Corianton to stop tending to the minsitry he was called,

He incites him to get back up, and serve his God. Teach his children through the experiences he hasand the great power of our Savior Jesus Christ. and that is the message to all of us when we repent and truly change, get back up keep trying live the gospel faithfully and happily. Because the Atonement is enough we can be forgiven and God truly remembers our sins no more!

Have a great week!! :)

All my Love,

Sister Cleveland