Welcome to the Office!

We're not in Scranton anymore, we have made the office change to Concepcion, Chile!!

As you know, last week I got the call that I would be heading into the city to work in the office. I answered the call, and here we are! 

I'm working here with Elder Ranck, my new comp. 

I'm also here working with Elder Marchant, my old comp from Cauquenes, and my good pal Elder Gumm, one of my comps from the MTC! It's a lot of work but it's a good time. We live in a huge apartment in the city, top floor, with a nice view. 

Elder Ranck and I live with our zone leaders, so it's a good time. 

My role here in the office is, Comisario, which means Commissioner. 

Basically, I'm in charge of making maps for the sectors, making materials for the missionaries, entering batismal records into the church systems, and keeping track of the missions history. I'm basically real important. HA! 

We also have a full area to work in, Lorenzo Arenas. It's in the city, so its a little tough but we've made our way working and finding new poeple. 

I was a little sad to leave Valle Hermoso behind after just 2 transfers, but the office is a cool change. I'm learning new things and I have new opportunities. 

This week, we had the opportunity to talk with a member that was passing thru some problems with his family. He had just lost his job, and his mother had died unexpectedly 2 weeks ago. He expressed to us that he was, after all that had happened, angry with God. As we sat and listened to his story, I couldn't help but feel bad for this man. Even with living a full life in the church, with a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, and Gods infinite love for every one of us, he still felt an anger with God for the troubles that he was passing thru. I decided to share a scripture with him from the Book of Mormon, in Alma 28. Verses 12-14 say,

12 While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness.

13 And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.

14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.

I know that God gives each one of us challenges, and sometimes it may seem like its just too much to handle, or that God is giving us more than we deserve. In the case of this member that lost his mother, it's easy to see that when we follow the promises of the Lord, those kindred dead will be with God, in a state of never ending happiness. And for us, all we have to do is see the good in life, exult in the hope as it says, and follow Christ in all we do. 

We will always pass thru sorrow and pain, but thats when we most need the rejoicing in our lives, the light that Christ offers to every one of us. I know that Christ lives, and that the best way to find that light and rejoicing that we need, is thru following HIs example, and follow the commandments that He and the Father have given us.

I love you all and thank you for your love and support. This work aint easy, but your guys love and support helps that much more. Have a great week, we'll see ya next week on the Office!

much love,

-Elder Grant