Joy

Wow this week went by so fast, where did it even go? This week was definitely my most interesting week as far as food goes. The members in our wards love to feed us authentic Finnish food. So far I haven't tasted anything that wasn't delicious. We also made some Gambian food with an investigator from Gambia. I don't even know how to pronounce the name of it so I won't even try to spell it.  

We were also blessed this week to attend the baptism of a daughter from a family in our ward. When one of their little boys was giving the opening prayer he thanked Heavenly Father that his sister could finally be baptized because she had been waiting a "super long time" I loved it and it made me reflect about how there are so many people in heaven that have been waiting a "super long time" for us to be baptized on their behalf. I know that temple work is just as important as missionary work. 

Other than the ward baptism we had a pretty normal week. One thing that stuck out to me this week was joy. As I was reading in the Book of Mormon this week I came across a part in Alma where the Laminites wage war on the Nephites because they are mad the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi have left their lands. Many Nephites die and there is great mourning, but it also says that they had much joy because they had hope in the promises of the Lord that they would one day see their lost ones once again. I really like the word joy because I think it means so much more than happiness or pleasure. Joy is something that we can have even when we aren't in our ideal situation. Elder Nelson talked about this same topic in General conference. He talked about how this Gospel can bring a joy that is lasting and that will endure any trial we have. I know that as we live the Gospel we can experience lasting joy.  I am so grateful for the joy that this gospel has brought me in my life. 

Loves

Elder Lewis