Helloooo my friends, I’m loving it out here Yuma. The people are so nice, all the missionaries in our zone are hard workers, and the spirit is strong!
I had some pretty special, humbling experiences this week about Christ’s Atonement and gratitude. There are way too many things that people can be negative about, and we are always so quick to take for granted what Christ has given us. I wrote out some thoughts in my journal hace algunos días ->
Saturday 6/13/20 “Man, I will tell you what, even though it feels like there are so many difficult things happening and going on, I am so thankful to be a missionary right now, how blessed am I? And what a crazy time? Corona Virus cases are repeaking, again, there are a new 300 cases or so everyday here in our little city of Yuma. We are trapped in our little apartment, cannot leave, having neighbors that just sit, smoke, yell and cuss outside all day, and we are trying to gather scattered Israel.. through Facebook.. in a foreign language.. how beautiful? I cannot be more thankful for God, in trusting me with this sacred responsibility of being a representative of his son in this crazy time. I love being a missionary.”
How wonderful is His big plan? -that our Heavenly Father loves us so much, that he allows so many things to go WRONG in our lives. Now, that sounds confusing, but I know, that if i get my way all the time, and things just work out first try, it’s nice for a second, but I don’t grow. I know how aware of, and how caring my Heavenly father is of me, because of what “roadblocks” come in my path day to day. He sees me now, but more importantly sees me as to what I can become, and he wants to push me to get there, by putting very difficult tasks in front of me to accomplish, what a loving example?
Please, take time this week, to tell your Heavenly Father how thankful you are to him, for not letting it be easy. Thank Him for loving you so perfectly, that he gives you such hard trials. I promise, that your relationship will grow closer, and you will be more receptive to what the spirit has to say to say.
You are ALL my friends and family, I thank you so much all the support and always showing love. I love you guys, till next time!
Cuidense,Elder Ballard
Elder Ballards Bolivia Mission 