To start off there was a day this week that the work wasn’t going to good and I was just flat out drained. After our dinner we decided to change our plans and we were going to visit some people but they were at a further part of our area so it was going to require some biking.
Before we left we prayed then we got up and I opened the door to find it was pouring rain outside and the temperature dropped to 44 degrees plus humidity so it goes straight through anything you put on to keep warm. This basically ruined the plans we had just made so we had to redo them again then go out and bike in the rain. But before that I checked the weather to see how long it was suppose to rain for and it was set to stop right when we were planned to be inside for the night.
We tried every possible thing to avoid going into the rain. We called members to get rides, everyone was busy. We called investigators to have video lessons, no one would answer. I felt like we just couldn’t win and we had no other option but to endure the trial given to us.
I heard a quote by someone a few weeks ago in a sacrament talk, they said, “no one ever said the straight and narrow path didn’t have hills and valleys.” Along this journey, and often times when we least expect it, we find ourselves traveling into a valley or we start to feel a slight incline on our path and things start to get just a little bit harder.
But we need to remember that the path we are on will lead us to a beautiful view on top, which makes every struggle up worth every step. The path may never be easy, otherwise it would be dull and flat and we would have nothing to look forward to other than the end, but what lessons would we learn?
I personally have found I enjoy hiking up a mountain more than I do kicking rocks in a dirt field. God allows us to experience hard times to appreciate the journey more.
Now sometimes when we are in “Valleys” we may feel we have “lost signal” with our Heavenly Father and we are stuck with no direction or help out, but it is my firm testimony that we are never lost, we are never left alone or comfortless.
Christ is our guide, He has made a path out. When we feel we have “lost signal” in our valleys remember that when we shout there is an echo that will reach the top, our cries to our Father in Heaven will never go unheard.
He loves each of his children so much and wants to help as much as He can. If there is anything I want you to take from this email it’s that no matter your trials, no matter how lost you may feel at times in your life or how hard things may get, this gospel is meant to help.
It’s a road worth traveling and it has a view worth seeing. Keep chugging through life and let the Holy Spirit guide and you will always find hope.
Love,
Elder Summers
P.S. I lost my frosty key tag and when I prayed I saw it slapped against the dryer door… the Lord answers prayers, and He blesses you for doing laundry. Also this is proof to mom that I do laundry 😅
