Hey everyone!
It's been a busy week full of lots of service,
wonderful lessons and several miracles. We had the opportunity to help
with the fall cleaning of the Houston temple, specifically in the
project of cleaning the chandelier and all the other lights in the
celestial room.( I always wondered who was allowed to clean the
celestial room in the temple and now I know--sister missionaries!) We
spent five hours (with 10 people) polishing one crystal at a time,
replacing all the bulbs, and aligning everything just right after it had
been polished. We sang hymns as we worked (dressed in baptismal jumper
suits : ) and I think all of us felt a sacred spirit doing the work.
When we started it was beautiful and clean- nothing looked like it
needed cleaning. On each chandelier there are strings of crystals as
well as teardrop crystals that hang down, so in the process of polishing
some of the strings would become a little looser, while other were too
tight, some would angle a bit too much, etc. So after polishing each
one, we went back and aligned everything- each string must hang just
right and be level with the others. It was amazing that aligning it just
right made the light so much brighter since it was able to reflect in
the crystals as it was designed to do. After the entire project we all
laid under the chandelier and pondered the principles of light and
truth--the room was sparkling, glowing, incandescently beautiful. Just
when you think you've seen all the beautiful light- or that you
understand a principle of the gospel- there is always more to
understand, always room to grow. I loved studying Doctrine and Covenants
88 and 93 afterward because they are such beautiful scripture on light
and truth. The experience was also a great analogy for missionary work-
we are the laborers sent to clean and polish and align each and every
one of his children in our assigned area. The care and love we must take
with each person- member, inactive, or investigator is similar to the
polishing process. It goes on but I'll let you keep thinking about it : )
The other focus of the week was the Atonement. Zone meeting on Friday
centered on the Atonement and since then I have focused my studies
around it. I've been studying and searching in Jesus the Christ, the
scriptures, and talks to gain more understanding of the Atonement so I
can in turn teach my investigators. There is a great talk by Elder
Holland, one he gave in the MTC called " Teach the Atonement" and well,
one he's a powerful speaker and two, it's a powerful topic. He says,
"Missionary work is, I think, the hardest work I had ever done...If
there's anyone in the room who thinks this experience is not easy,
welcome to the Church. Welcome to the gospel. Welcome to the life of the
apostles and prophets. Welcome to the life of the Savior, who knows
quite a bit about cups from which one does not wan to drink, and paths
that one does not particularly want to walk. But the gospel is the way
and the truth and the life...A gift was given in the anguish of
Gethsemane, and a price was paid at the summit of Calvary for you and
for me and for all those investigators out there, for every missionary
who has ever served. If we are going to be disciples, if we are going to
say that we are sent by the Lord Jesus Christ then we had better have
some evidence of it. Part of that evidence will be at least a moment or
two in that garden with those tears, and a step or two in the general
direction of Calvary made in anguish and sorrow." I love this. More than
that, I feel this. He also said " Salvation is not an easy experience.
Salvation is not cheap." This work is hard- I hope that doesn't surprise
anyone reading this and that you don't think I just don't have enough
faith. This work is hard and long, and sometimes discouraging and hot.
And sometimes I feel so completely inadequate to be doing this work. But
never for long because I know that this isn't my work and I'm not doing
it alone. If I am going to be a missionary and represent our Savior, if
I'm going to proclaim eternal truths He taught and teach the infinite
sacrifice He made for each of us, "I cannot ask to completely avoid the
pain He felt, or the tears that He shed, or the sorrow that He saw." I
know I've wrote home about this before, but it only becomes more true,
more personal, the more time I spend in this great work. After zone
meeting and thinking about one of our investigators, we decided to teach
the Atonement again to her. It was one of the most powerful lessons I
have ever been a part of. I don't say taught because while I opened up
my mouth, the Spirit did all the talking. We testified powerfully that
the Atonement is the center of all that we've taught and that only
through our Savior can we receive comfort, forgiveness and remission for
sins, and the opportunity to return once more to our Father in Heaven.
And as we did so, she opened up her heart and let us in. She told us her
concerns and doubts and what was holding her back so we could answer
those questions.
Some great scriptures from the week- John 14:27, John 16:33, Mark 5:36, 1
Nephi 18:1 as well as the Sunday afternoon session of this last April
General Conference. Oh, and chapter 3 of Jesus the Christ- if you have a
moment or two to read.
I sure love you all! While I'm here caring for the people of the Texas
Houston Mission, I know Heavenly Father is watching over you all.
All my love,
Hermana Koerner
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