March Forth

The last two weeks have been marked by a number of experiences where the Lord led us exactly where we needed to go. I am gaining confidence that if I pray, the Lord will show us by the Spirit where we need to go. We were led to  people we were looking for even when we didn't know their addresses (sounds like Selah all over again), and we were led by the Spirit to be exactly where the Lord needed us at exactly the right time a few times this week. I love those miracles because it reminds us that we can trust the Spirit to take us where we need to go and we can have confidence that the Lord leads His work.

We had an exchange this week with some of the Sisters nearby and we decided to give it the theme "Confidence in Christ." I think it is important that we remember that we are representatives of Christ, not college students. We can be bold when we invite people to change because we love them and we were sent to them by God to help them come closer to Him. We can also have confidence as we trust the Spirit. It isn't about trusting in ourselves or having confidence in our own abilities. That's pride and it's a sin, but we can have confidence knowing that the Lord has power to make up for our weaknesses (Ether 12:27) and that His strength is sufficient to do His work (Alma 26:12). When we have humility we substitute God's power for our own (That is really hard to do). In order to do that we have to be doing things His way (Doctrine and Covenants 121:36-45) We have to be giving our will to our Father in Heaven, and we have to be giving our all (Helaman 10:4-5) As we proclaim His word with unwearyingness, we can be promised His help to do anything that is necessary. It isn't our power that gets it done. It's His power, which He allows to work through His children when they do their best. We are still sinners. We mess up all the time. We make mistakes. When we make mistakes we can repent and do better with His help. It's really about asking for help by giving Him our will. Then we can be permitted to do His work. I love that all that we have to do is really, really want to serve Him and do our best. Then His grace can reach us because our hearts are ready to accept His help and we have the faith to be made whole. The best part is that even when we have trouble giving our best, or desiring to serve God we can pray for help and He will change our hearts (Mosiah 5:2).

I had a lot of pictures that I wanted to show you today but I left my camera at home, so you will have to wait until next week.

I went to the dentist – I had a broken filling. That was fun. I did that on the 10^th, and it was one of the more difficult dental experiences I have endured in this life. I'm grateful to Dr. Larson, though who really helped me out. He showed great mercy.

It needed a lot of help and we are watching it right now to make sure that it doesn't need a root canal. I liked Dr. Larson because he helped me for free (which I didn't deserve at all) and he showed me the x ray so I could know exactly what has been going on in my tooth before and after and what I need to do to take care of it. He showed me the x-ray and explained where the root was, where the filling was, and what was happening when it was causing me pain. I think that I will always ask my dentists from now on to explain what is going on in my mouth. Thank you to all dentists who look out for missionaries. You people are the best.

Thanks to all who support us. Thanks to you all who pray for the missionaries. Those prayers are much appreciated.

Love,

Sister Caroline Faulkner