Zone Leader Call

Wow! Looking at those pictures, you were driving right through my area! Haha we take those exits all the time! I'm glad you didn't tell me because I probably would have gotten distracted. I am glad that you had fun though and that you were able to have a good experience with being protected by your garments. I have surprisingly enough heard of quite a few of those types of experiences since being on my mission. That is truly a blessing! It sounds like you and Dad really enjoyed it! Brooklynn's daughter is adorable! I like Dad's ASU stuff too! haha that is great! I'm glad!

 I wish it was nice weather like that here! It is 114 right now and I have to move! I will be moving to Moreno Valley to be a Zone Leader with Elder Hale, who was in my district when I first came into the mission. He is one of my favorite missionaries in the mission. I am kind of nervous to be a leader, but I guess the Lord thinks I can do it! I honestly don't know why I got called, but I am excited for this opportunity. I will finally not be in a rich white area! Woo! It will be a nice change of pace! 

Mom, I really just want to make you and dad, my mission president and the Lord proud, but I feel like I always fall short. Any suggestions?

Time really goes fast. At the beginning of my mission I longed for the 2 years ahead of me to go quicker so that I could return home and I felt as if I would be here forever. I now am panicking because I feel like I am running out of time so quickly. I still have a big chunk of time left but I feel like I am still figuring out how to be a missionary and I don't want to waste any of my time on my mission not being as effective as I can. I feel like Nephi at times when he laments, "O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities." I wish I was better and I  wish I didn't make mistakes. I am so grateful, however, that we have the opportunity to repent and have a fresh start each week when we partake of the sacrament. I am thankful that we are able to have experiences that help us see what's right and what's wrong so that we can make correct choices from that point on. 

This week, even though I was not a perfect missionary, I felt like I didn't know what to pray for. I know that sounds silly because there is always something to pray for as a missionary. But I just felt like I didn't really need anything. I was content with everything. And then I realized how dangerous that was. We cannot afford to be stagnate. We will start to sink if that is the case. I  was rereading the story of Peter greeting the Savior on the water and was instantly reminded of my need to refocus on the Savior, or else I too would start to sink. Well, actually I guess I was sinking because I too reached out to the Christ and asked for help, and just like Peter, I felt the gentle and loving rebuke of One who knows that I know better. I am thankful for prayer and how we can talk with God, not just at Him. I am thankful for the Atonement and how it makes change possible. It is such a blessing to be able to overcome those sins that beset us. 

Take care and stay cool!

Love, 

Your Elder Jackson