JOY comes through HIM

Hello Family and Friends,

This week I have been asking the question, "WHY?" Life is just so difficult, and there is so much suffering in the world.  The world has an endless supply of difficulties. When, where, and HOW can we ever feel relief? As I was studying this week in 3 Nephi, the Holy Ghost gave me the answer. 

It's Jesus Christ. He is the source of all peace. While Zimbabwe is suffering and people are losing hope, their answer is Jesus Christ. He is our healer, our peace, and our life. When we turn to him, he helps us become whole. When he visited the Nephites, he healed them one by one. He blessed them and extended a hand of mercy. He will heal us one by one, and his light will shine brighter than all of our fears. I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is here for every, single. one. of. us. 

We had a zone conference this week, and it was probably one of the funnest zone conferences that I have been to. I just felt the spirit so strong and loved listening to the councils from our mission leaders. One thing that President Makasi really spoke about was repentance. We read scriptures to talk about the effects of repenting and not repenting. I would love to share them with you because they were so good! 

In Mosiah 4: 3,12,13 we read about the effects of repenting: 

1. We will have joy and peace of conscience 

2. The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost

3. Faith in Jesus Christ increases

4. Retain a remission of our sins

5. Always rejoicing and be filled with a greater love

6. We will grow in knowledge

In Mosiah 2: 36-38 we read about the effects of NOT repenting:

1. WE withdraw ourselves from the spirit

2. We stop progressing and learning

3. There is no place prepared for us 

4. We are in open rebellion against God

5. We are an enemy to God

6. Filled with guilt

7. Mercy has no claim on us

8. Our final doom is never-ending torment

So ya... Let's repent, cause it will make us and God happy 

We are getting a TON of referrals from members. One family has a son who was never baptized and isn't a child of record. His name is Jimmy and he is 9 years old. It is so much fun teaching him because he already knows everything! He is so funny, too. We were trying to get him to remember what we called Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost (the godhead) So we said it begins with God... and then we pointed to our heads. He then said," Godbrain?" We died laughing! hahaha, he is so fun. 

The Chirwa family got their marriage license, and so the wedding is on for VALENTINES DAY! I am so pumped! It will be a fun evening. The Halversons are beyond ready to be baptized. While we were teaching the family about the commandments, we asked the father if he would live the commandments. He said," Of course I will. It's from God." They are some of the most prepared people that I've met on my mission. Stay tuned for next week for lots of wedding and baptism pictures ;) 

I love you all! 

Sister Kershaw