Endure the crosses...............March 9, 2015

Hey fam and friends? Long time! How was everyone`s week? My week was good like always. All of them are good honestly. My email won`t be very long because I don`t have a whole lot of time. Lots to do!! 

Renè came to church again and is still excited for his baptism. He is just busting with desire to learn and he drinks it all in so fast. And he`s got all of his little old man friends in church already. He automatically walks in and sits with them. It does my heart good when i see someone all growed up and not needing the missionaries because it means they`ll progress in the Gospel all on their own. :) We are working a lot with less actives and a lot of them are also progressing and bringing themselves closer to Christ by returning to His fold. It`s amazing to see the changes that the Gospel works in people. 

I was studying this last week 2 Nephi 9:18,which says:

  

18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel,they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom ofGod, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world,  and their joy shall be full forever.

I was thinking about what it means to "endure the crosses of the world", and it makes me think of the Savior. When He had to carry the very cross that He`d be nailed to up the hill. The cross placed over Him for the sins of the world, and the wickedness of blind men who just didn`t want to see the Son of God even while looking right at Him. And it makes me think that it is impossible for any one of us, who have a desire to know Christ and become like Him, to not have to walk somewhat of the path He walked. We must all take upon us our own crosses. The sins of others and bad decisions they have made will often place them over our shoulders. Sometimes trials and circumstances out our or anybody`s control will place them upon us. But in either manner, we have three beautiful promises:

1. In remembering the Holy One of Israel and all He endured, we can know that He understands. He can help lift our cross because He did it all alone first. 

2. We will inherit the kingdom of God. 

3. Our joy will be full FOREVER. 

So don`t you sweat it, whatever burden it is your carrying. Endure it, trust in God, and remember the eternal joy that is awaiting you. 

I love you, I love you, I love you! 

Hermana Dolan