I don't know if I've ever seen pictures of you at that age! That's weird to see! Haha so my camera broke, so I'm just going to buy one out here. The only ones that aren't 20$ ones for kids are around 150$. So I'm just going to spend some from my chase account. I love the quotes that you send! I just like good quotes I guess! I use them all the time! I wrote one down from President Uchdorf saying that the best place to start is where we are right now, and that the darkness won't all dissipate at once, but surely as night always gives way to dawn, the light will come. He hung it up on his wall and tells me how much he loves it every time we see him! Liken that to a financial situation! A sunrise is a slow and gradual change. Like our faith, it happens in such a way that we don't even notice it until we are able to look around and see so much better. It's a very comforting concept to see how much brighter everything is than it was earlier, especially when I feel like I am walking in darkness. The parable of the mustard seed also gives me comfort. Because a seed can grow into such a tree, birds can find shelter and safety in it. The faith that I can bring to people can give them comfort and a place to go in times of worry! I think that is a reason I was sent here. I have learned that faith is something simple. I am simple enough to believe that Heavenly Father can travel anywhere He wants. I am simple enough to believe that He will answer my prayers if I'm obedient to His commandments. I love the simple yet overwhelming faith that the islanders have here. It's just so simple.
I can't wait to see the promise of the youth and others manifest itself too! That will probably be something gradual that when I look around I can see it, but not with my forward tunnel vision. Sometimes I just want to walk backwards so I can see how much I have done. So I can see what I have accomplished, but like Edward Dube said in the last conference, Never look back. A man putting his hand to the plow and looking back is not fit for the kingdom of God. I don't think the Brother of Jared was comparing his past experiences when he took the stones to be illuminated. He just kept looking forward with a simple but overwhelming faith that he knew would only bring him higher. I want to be like them. The less a man knows, the more necessity for revelation he haves! But I've learned that the more knowledge you receive, the less you know in proportion. 1 Cor 3:18, Nobody is wise. Everything I am looking to learn is what I can teach, and what else there is to learn! Studying is much more exciting when you're not just searching through doors, but opening as many as you can! sometimes I write for a whole hour study period and I've just peeked into another door! I love this gospel! You never stop learning! At the same time, D&C 121:45 tells us the Doctrines of the priesthood shall distill upon your soul as the dews of heaven if you have charity towards all men. BAM! Learning without studying! I'm so excited to learn everything out here!
I absolutely love the scriptures. I love Hymns. I love quotes. I love gospel discussions. I LOVE THE SPIRIT!!! The excitement that He gives me just can't be compared to any other experience I have ever had, so what's the use in looking backwards? BAM! Everything fits. Everything testifies of Jesus Christ. I love it!!!
I'm learning a ton, I'm eating a ton (and exercising), and I'm rambling a ton. I'm sure you can understand my feelings. President and Sister Rudd are great! I talk with them a ton when we have a conference or any other opportunity. I've gotten to know them pretty well, and they always get excited when they see me coming their way too. I guess we were friends before or something, because we can just talk forever!
The holiday season has settled down, so I hope more people will be home!
Thank you for everything, I love you!
Elder Lukens
