The Enabling Power -- 6 August 2013

This week was something in between really really hard, and really incredible. It never seems to be that way except for when God is trying to push you farther than you've ever gone before. I think often of Samwise Gamgee saying, "If I take one more step, I'll be farther from home than I've ever been." The truth is, one step farther, often means one step closer.

To me the mission has seemed to be asking me to take a lot of "one more" steps. God has pushed me to my limits, and even farther. To the point where I often find myself by my bed in the evening in tears, ready to just quit, and the only thing really supporting me is the knowledge that my Savior will bear me up. I am reminded each day as I do one impossible thing after the other that "can't", "impossible", and "alone" are words that God doesn't ever speak to the broken hearted. This is one of the greatest miracles of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we don't know how we'll manage to push ourselves beyond another limit. For me those limits are often mental blocks that stand in my way. Fear. Doubt. Disbelief. Sometimes it's a screaming, "You can't!" And Satan tries to tell me that I can't be the one to make the difference. I don't have the power, the strength, the will to accomplish this. "You cannot help these people. They don't care." "You'll never have anyone to teach." "One little set of missionaries can't make a difference." Well, there's the rub. Because, he's right. I can't.

But Jesus Christ can. He changed the world. Why not a ward, or a heart? You know, through Christ Jesus we can do all things.

So, one more step into the darkness. One more prayer. One more tear. One more hardship. It seems that they never end. But I testify in the name of my Lord, Master, and Savior, Jesus Christ that He can, will, and does walk with us. He carries our burdens if we will allow Him. The "one more" when given to "The One" becomes a joyous journey to perfection.

I love you all so much. Please keep taking one more step. Keep walking keep trying.

This week was wonderful. Brittany was baptized :D She's on her way to a temple recommend.

We had MLC this week (mission leadership council). Our zone is doing really really well. We've set a goal for 6 baptisms this month, and we're going to rock it out. :D There are so many great missionaries here. I'm so grateful to be a part of God's work.

Fast and testimony meeting was incredible. 3 non members besides our investigators came to church. :D God is blessing us so much.

I love you all! Have a wonderful week.

Rock on. Peace. Love. And Temple Marriage. In that order.

Elder Taylor "The Hell Shaker" Hill