Week of August 1, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This last week went quite well! However, in spite of the fact that I have so many great things I could tell you all, my letter this week will be very short, as I am transferring to another area this next Wednesday. And, my trainee, Elder Madronio, is going to train next cycle! It is crazy how fast everything in the mission is.

I must admit that I have some mixed emotions about this upcoming transfer. In spite of my hard work in this area now, I have not seen the fruits that I hoped to have seen. With this in mind, I have wondered if I could have possibly done more to serve the people here in Baluarte. However, I feel great peace knowing that I have helped plant so many seeds here and that I have been able to help some less actives return to church. 

Over the last few months that I have served in Baluarte, I have been privileged to learn so many things in result of some of the trials I have faced while here. It is easy to wonder at times why we are placed in certain circumstances, or why certain things happen in our lives when we feel we are doing our best. But, the Lord knows what is best for us and all those around us, even if we don't. I love the words of King Benjamin who exhorts us in the Book of Mormon to "believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both heaven and earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth, believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend" (Mosiah 4:9). I now have even a stronger testimony of these words, and the fact that the challenges in our lives are not made to make us unhappy, but rather opportunities from an all-knowing God to help us fulfill our purpose in life, that being to learn and become more like Him. With this in mind, I have come to appreciate all of the experiences I have had in my mission, both easy and not so easy. 

I now know more than ever that if we face the trials that come in our lives as an opportunity to step forward in eternal progression rather than just another unfortunate occurrence, that we will acquire the right perspective in this life, forging us the leverage to be happy even if our circumstances may sway us to be otherwise. 

I will have more to tell you all next week!

Love,

Elder Pulley