If you didn't notice i didn't send this email last week, I forgive
you for not thinking of me. HAHA I am totally kidding. I couldn't help
but put that line in there.
Last week we were unable to finish writing our emails due to
certain circumstances, so I decided to write this weeks email on a paper
and then type it today! So this week there will be two weekly emails
from your favorite elder in Tallahassee Florida!
I know I've never been very good at giving details of my day to day
routine as a missionary, though it could be because my memory is not
the best. THough my simple spiritual thought for today comes from our
investigator Gloria. Gloria is a single mom with % kids. SHe lives with
her sister, who is also a single mom with five kids, who both live
together in a small double wide trailer. Whenever one sister is working,
the other is at home with the 10 kids. I dont think I have to say much
for all of you to know that her life is rough, hard, stressful, busy and
frightening. Despite her circumstances, Gloria shows an extreme amount
of faith, hope and Charity. SHe constantly expresses her great faith in
the Lord and her hope for a better future for her kids. As we visited
with her I noticed one thing in particular about the way she secretly
shows her charity. That is through her faithful and meaningful prayers.
We were following up with her to see if she read the Book of Mormon and
prayed about it. She had read, and had prayed, but felt a little guilty
because she had not thought very directly about the BOM in her prayers.
She said she had fallen asleep praying and that it often happens as she
prays for other people. She shared with us how in her prayers, she prays
for her kids, then for everyone else who she meets throughout her day. I
thought to myself, if my personal prayers were the same and if I was
truly praying for others. LEts just say I made the commitment to do
better. That day I learned from Gloria not only should we pray for
people, but we should have more charity towards everyone and do as many
wise friends have told me, "look at them through Christs eyes."
As I focus on looking at those around me through my Saviors eyes, I
stop criticising them and start seeing their true identity of a child
of god, a brother, and a human with unique characteristics that god had
given them. I hope to never forget to have charity towards others and
look at them through Christs eyes~!
I thank you all for being tremendous support and examples for me! And I wish you all a wonderful week!
Elder Stonely
