Man, it's hot...
Today
we went and played soccer and basketball and Merrill and me bought some sweet
soccer jerseys at the market.
And WOW this week was super fast! Nothing too
special happened, just sweating and working like crazy! But man, the Nicaraguans
are tough! Before my mission, I was expecting it to be a little easier cause
they are so poor, but I was completely wrong. I love them to death, but they
just can't see the big picture at all...
But this past week TJ
hit one year, that was quick... Also this week is a big week. First, I turn 20
years old... I really don't want to be 20, the difference between 19 and 20
seems like forever. And also I hit 9 months this week, last month in single
digits...
(The house where Elder Copeland and three other Elders live. Notice the tin roof and the fact that they are on the second floor with no air conditioning whatsoever.)
(Elder Copeland's comment: "One room, one word: BRUTAL!")
We are finding people
to teach slowly but surely. Last Tuesday we found 3 kids: Johnny (16),
Michael (13) and Jose (8) They are all brothers and they're awesome. They all
went to church yesterday and really liked it and also have a baptismal date
for the 9th of May. We should have a baptism this Saturday. His name is Jose
and he lives in the park. He's had a tough life but really wants to be baptized.
An article that I
read this week is called, "It Isn't a Sin to be Weak." Can God really make my
weaknesses into a strength? If so, how? I've fasted and prayed for days to have
problems removed from me, but nothing seems to change. In my mission, I have
lived the gospel more consistently than at any time in my life, but I have
never been more aware of my weaknesses. Why, when I feel like I'm doing so good, that
sometimes I feel so bad? We all know what sin is. Sin is a choice to disobey
God's commandments. There is a chart that compares sin and weakness.
First, Sin.
Definition: Willful
disobedience to God
Source: Encouraged by
Satan
Example: Knowingly
breaking God's commandments, believing Satan over God
Did Jesus have: No
Our response should
be: Repent
Gods promise is:
Forgiveness
Results: Cleansed of
sin
Second, Weakness
Source: Part of our
mortal nature
Examples: Susceptibility to temptation, emotional fatigue, physical or mental illness,
ignorance, etc.
Did Jesus have: Yes
Our response should
be: Humility, faith in Christ, and efforts to overcome
Gods promise: Grace
Results: Strength
So there clearly are
differences between sin and weakness, and we as humans, have both sins and
weaknesses. So how can we know what is a sin and what is a weakness? While
Satan is eager to use our weaknesses to entice us to sin more, God can use
human weakness to teach, strengthen, and bless us. God told Paul, "For my strength
is made perfect in weakness." Nowhere in God's love, wisdom, and redemptive power
is it more evident than in His ability to turn our struggle with human weakness into
the invaluable godly virtues and strengths that make us more like Him. While
sin inevitably leads us away from God, weakness, ironically, can lead us toward
Him.
And if men come unto me I will show unto them
their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and
my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before
me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I
make weak things become strong unto them.
Ether 12:27
I am grateful for
every single weakness and sin that I have so I can become a better person and
really learn how to rely on my Savior. I love him and I am forever in debt to
him. I will serve him every day that I shall live on this earth. Live
everyday as it is your last. We never know when the Lord needs us to leave this
world. This week, really pay attention to the things that we can do better and
work on them one at a time, and we will really see the difference in our own
lives. I am a representative of The Jesus Christ and I will give my all to Him.
Elder Copeland
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