Monday, September 19, 2016

Miracles Within Me


Nilsa and Edson, always a Party!
I have been sitting here praying about what I should write this week to spiritually lift those who will read this. I want to be able to say we saw so many miracles this week, but I was really discouraged as I realized nothing noteworthy happened. Thousands of steps taken, hundreds of doors knocked (or clapped), but nothing to show for it. But then I thought "but this week was amazing, how do I explain that?"

This week I have learned more about how to be like Christ than any other week on my mission, and that is reason enough to rejoice! That is a MIRACLE! I believe that one of the primary reasons the Lord wanted me to serve a mission was to see the gospel of Jesus Christ work miracles within ME. This week I was faced with hundreds of little decisions each day, where I chose to follow Christ. He is patient, He is meek, He is humble, He is long-suffering. He smiles and He LOVES unconditionally.

I did not have the strength to do these things on my own, but I leaned on Him. I joyfully partook of the sacrament this week, and I have never felt so clean and happy. So yes, no one accepted us this week, but as we took those thousands of steps, I felt like He was right there with us, cheering us on.

Last week a BYU friend sent me an email with 14 fotos and a nice long letter about Stover Hall and late nights and parties, and I thought I would be hurting afterwards. On the contrary! I realized I am HAPPIER here, and that I don't want that right now. FINALLY! I choose Brasil, and I chose to serve. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

President and I were talking a few months ago about how hard it is for me to not miss BYU, and he promised me if I keep doing what I am doing, one morning I will wake up and think EU AMO BRASIL... and the longing for Provo will be gone. I feel like that morning will be very, very soon. Sometimes when I am walking in the streets, I am FILLED with pure joy! The song from Prince of Egypt comes to my mind, "THIS IS MY HOME!!" My Portuguese is improving and I am actually using past, present, and future subjunctive!! THANK YOU SISTER C. SILVA!
I love her. I really do.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND I LOVE SAO PAULO BRASIL!       Sister Ludlam

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5 comments:

  1. Mike and Stephanie CluffSeptember 19, 2016 at 1:16 PM

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  2. Mike and Stephanie CluffSeptember 19, 2016 at 1:16 PM

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  3. Mike and Stephanie CluffSeptember 19, 2016 at 1:22 PM

    Great post Ava. It helps us on our mission in the Nauvoo Temple. You are doing a great work. We love you. We're still learning how to publish a post!!

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  4. Mike and Stephanie CluffSeptember 19, 2016 at 1:23 PM

    Great post Ava. It helps us on our mission in the Nauvoo Temple. You are doing a great work. We love you. We're still learning how to publish a post!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Creigh and Patti GibsonSeptember 28, 2016 at 8:56 PM

    You are fulfilling scripture: "I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. Deuteronomy 30:16
    Thank you for your beautiful life.

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