La mia caro famiglia,
Oh how I am so filled with joy today! Every day is such a joy and a blessing. Can you
believe how blessed we are to have LIVING PROPHETS today? General conference was
absolutely fantastic! I have so many thoughts about it I wanted to share with everyone,
so I hope I have enough time!
First of all, on Saturday, the talk about aaronic priesthood quorums (of all talks!)
reminded me of Mom. The story about the young deacon who reactivated so many members of
his quorum reminded me of Mom when she was a young women's leader. What dedication she
had to missionary work! She worked so hard to reactivate those girls, and she loved them
so much. That to me, is truly an example of a member missionary.
The other talk that I loved on Saturday was the talk about teaching your children respect
and reverence at a young age. She said that the child who causes the most problems in
class, is usually the one that needs the most love! This reminded me of a time when I
was in first grade, and there was a girl in my class named Keeshia, who had a walking
disability (I think she had a stroke as a baby.) One day, I was playing with my friends
on the swing, and she came up to play with us and we ran away and went back to the
classroom. Keeshia sat there all alone crying, and then someone came up and comforted
her, and walked with her back to class. That person was only in 3rd grade, and she came
up to me later and told me that Keeshia needed friends too. That person was my sister
Kristen. Wise beyond her years, she taught me a great lesson.
I have such a wonderful family! All are so intent on missionary work always. I have
seen your attitudes of selfless service, and your examples have made me the person I am
today.
I have so many other favorite talks, but I have to say my top two favorites of all time
were Elder Holland's talk about the atonement, and the talk by President Monson about
counting your blessings.
It's SO TRUE! I bear testimony to you now that you never have to be alone. I learned of
my testimony for those last moments of Christ's life. Alma 7:11-12 also talks about
this. At those last moments, Christ had to suffer the most pain of all...being
completely cut off from the father. But he had to do it, you see? So he could feel
EVERY pain that a human could ever feel. He had to feel those times when people have
sinned so much, that they are completely cut off from the father. Isn't it such a GIFT
to be able to feel? To feel love, joy, and peace through the spirit. If any of you feel
like you're past feeling, then pray! That's all it takes. In the parable of the
prodigal son the father RAN to his son when he saw him a long distance off. The second
God knows we are trying to come back to him, he will RUN to us with open arms! God loves
you. You are his child. Isn't it beautiful?
My last favorite talk was President Monson's talk. Oh how that story broke my heart
about the mother who lost her children in Prussia (i think that's the right country!)
Imagine losing EVERYTHING you have ever had...your husband, your children, everything you love. She wanted it all to be over, to jump in front of a train, to die. But then she
prayed, and this is what hit me the most - she chose to live FOR her family. She had the
eternal perspective and knew that she had to live so she could raise her children and be
with her husband for eternity. I thought about my testimony...I want to have that
rock-solid testimony. It is my prayer daily to have the spirit, to learn of my
testimony, and to grow closer to Christ.
I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet today. He is a gift from God...because God
doesn't want us to be alone. Count your blessings daily! There are so many hard things
going on in the world right now. The earthquake in Italy broke my heart. Over 150 dead,
and thousands injured and left without homes. Those people need our prayers! I know
that I am so blessed to be able to go to Italy, and help the people of Italy find true
happiness through the gospel. The more I realize it, the more I pray to have an eternal
perspective. It's one of the hardest things to have because we live in such a world of
instant gratification, but I know it's possible. Go to the temple as much as you can!
If you can't go to the temple, please please work as hard as you can to be worthy to go
back. I have had some of my most precious spiritual experiences there. It is a
wonderful place! As a matter of fact, I get to go today!
Elder Scott Miles took off early this morning for COLOMBIA! I'm going to miss him so
much! The last family I will see for two years. (by the way Jonathan...I found out they
don't allow families to come to the airports to see missionaries off anymore!! So you're
going to have to send me a dear elder, and/or your phone number so I can call you from
the airport!) Elder Miles will be such an amazing missionary! He is so great, and has
been an answer to my prayers at times. Sometimes, you just need to see a familiar face.
:)
I have two weeks left until my departure date! That means two weeks until Jessica enters
the MTC!! Missions are such a blessing. I thought that I had to go on a mission to
realize my own testimony, but the more I'm here, the more I realize that's not why i'm
here! I'm here to bring people to Christ and to bring them to faith in his atonement.
I know that my redeemer lives. I love each and every one of you with all my heart. Keep
praying for me and the missionaries. It's hard work, but it's all worth it!
Ti voglio bene,
Sorella Jenessa Miles
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