Refiner's Fire

I've been debating all week what I want to write on here today. 

We've taught some people this week, made some good progress, and had a lot of investigators show up to church yesterday. Trevor missed another appointment, Joe is still golden, Judy had back surgery that hopefully helped, and Radiance accepted a baptismal date!

But honestly, there has has been a lot more going on here in little Philadelphia than just that. 

It's been a hard week for me. 

Having three of us here has proven to be more of a challenge than I anticipated. But it is refining me in ways I likewise did not anticipate. 

I don't want to get into too many details, because a lot of that is personal. But I will say that I have learned a lot about myself, the scriptures, the power of prayer, and my Savior Jesus Christ. And I am so grateful for the Atonement. 

Being a missionary kind of means that sometimes your weaknesses are going to be handed to you on a silver platter...with an audience watching as you work your way through them. It's tough stuff, folks. But then again, being refined never is easy. 

There is a talk by Jeffery R. Holland where he is addressing mission presidents and he says that sometimes missionaries may ask them why life in the field is so tough. And he goes on to explain that it was NEVER easy for Jesus Christ. He quite literally walked alone, and because of that great sacrifice, neither you or I have to EVER be alone. 

So this week, as I've been on my knees praying, and on my feet working, and maybe asking myself how or when things will get better, I've turned my thoughts to the Savior. 

And he's lifted me up. He's wrapped me in His arms, and given me strength beyond my own.

He's filled me up when I felt empty, and given me peace when I needed it most. 

I am not a perfect person. None of us are. And that's why Heavenly Father sent His son to this earth. So that we can move on and move up and be refined into the kind of Celestial People that we have the potential to be. 

I am so grateful for that. 

And I'm grateful for these moments that bring me closer to the Savior. 

I love being a missionary and bearing His name over my heart. 

But more importantly, I love being able to bear His name with me all the time in my heart. 

May your week be as blessed as mine. 

You're loved more than you know. 

-Sister Crosby