I want to start out with a poem written by Philosopher George Santayana called "Better Part".
O world, thou choosest not the better part!
It is not wisdom to be only wise,
And on the inward vision close the eyes,
But it is wisdom to believe the heart.
Columbus found a world, and had no chart,
Save one that faith deciphered in the skies;
To trust the soul''s invincible surmise
Was all his science and his only art.
Our knowledge is a torch of smoky pine
That lights the pathway but one step ahead
Across a void of mystery and dread.
But, then, the tender light of faith to shine
By which alone the mortal heart is led
Unto the thinking of the thought divine.
I found this poem while reading in The Infinite Atonement by Elder Tad R. Callister. And what George Santana is talking about are those who fail to choose this better part.. Now I can't say much on this topic because I at times don't choose the "Better Part", but that's what's so wonderful. Even though at times we make the wrong choice or in ingonorance sin against our Father in Heaven we have the Atonement. Now I've been asked the question, "As a missionary you study a lot. Is there something you never tire of studying?" And my answer is always "The Atonement". My favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon is on this topic. It is Mosiah 14: 3-5. It says, " 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and aquianted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised." Did you know that out of the numberless amount of world's that had been created by God, our world, our nation was the only one wicked enough to beat, torment, hate, and crucify the Only Begotten of the Father? Blows my mind.. "4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." Our Savior in his time of pain and suffering he thought of us individually first. Through our individual griefs and sorrows.. Then. "5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." He paid the price for sins. The Atonement is the most important and most needed thing in our life, or at least it should be. When we feel like we can't turn to anybody in our times of need. We can look to our Savior because he has felt everything. I get so worked up about this because it has changed me. And I know if you allow the Atonement into your life it can change you as well. This last weekend we had Stake Conference for the Greenfield Stake, and all of the talks were on gratitude, and love, and having your sights set on our Savior and the Book of Mormon, and being in line with the Savior because He is in line with Heavenly Father. And I've just been Spiritually fed from it. I'm grateful for this gospel. I am so glad that I'm able to be out here in Arizona spreading this message.
Well anyways. Here are some highlights of the week. We helped our former Vehicle Coordinator Brother Ashton put up his Gazibo. I love doing that kind of work. We were flipped off by this dang tree... just driving down Pecos minding our own business and well I there she was. Of course it was me that had to bring it up and point it out. Oh well.. then he is a picture of the 4 out of the 6 Elders in my district. Now I'm going to try to explain this picture. From left to right, Chadwick was angry at the guy taking to the picture who will not be named. But this old lady came up and said, "OH come on SMILE!?!?" Chadwick obediently smiled for the kind old women and well as for me I still didn't want to take a picture in the first place so I had no desire to listen to her.. Now the guy the the right of me Elder Leavitt he always looks like that, but I can never tell whether he is constipated or trying to figure out why square no fit in circle. I don't know. Anyways my favorite, Elder Boujeé. Remember The Best Two Years? Remember Elder Calhoon? Yeahhhhh Elder Boujeé is the Elder Calhoun of the Arizona Gilbert Mission.. So you can say he always looks like that. It isn't bad. He's just always ready and excited for the day! And lastly we took Christmas Card pics and they are lit!!! All thanks to Mama Hoopes!!!!!!! Here's my favorite one. And thank you to Goodwill for the sick sweaters.
Well that is all for this week! I hope you all have a wonderful week. I love and miss you! God bless. Oh and Merry Christmas!!
Love,
Elder Matua
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