In our Heavenly Father's plan there are no true endings. Only everlasting beginnings. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf) - July 10, 2021

 Spiritual Thought

In order for our Heavenly Father's plan to come to full fruition it is crucial for change to take place.  If you and I were to eternally remain in one perfectly comfortable and familiar situation then our eternal progression would cease.  Just as standing water will quickly begin to stagnate, you and I must also continually be in motion if we are to achieve our full and eternal potential.  Such periods are nearly always difficult and painful as we feel the pain that endings bring with them.  Additionally, we quite often feel uneasy concerning what the future may hold in some new chapter of our lives.  I testify that we will eternally carry with us the aid and comfort only the Savior of the World can provide as we allow Him to direct the course of our lives.

Crucial to this discussion of change and progression is the ability to repent and to be forgiven of our past mistakes.  Too many hold to a belief that individuals are unable to change.  That you and I are born with certain inalterable predispositions and will never progress beyond our weaknesses or be forgiven of our mistakes.  Such a belief stands in direct opposition to the eternal plan of our Heavenly Father and makes a mock of the suffering endured by our Savior.  If we truly believe that our Savior's Atonement was infinite and individual, how dare we claim to believe that such a sacrifice cannot cleanse any person of any mistake they may have made?  When past mistakes have been repented of as fully as they can be repented of, it is our responsibility to do as the Savior Himself does and "remember them no more" (Hebrews 8:12).  If the Son of God,  the very person who makes such forgiveness possible, can forgive so fully as to "remember them no more" who are we to hold onto past transgressions, whether those be our own, or those of someone else.  I testify of the reality of our Savior's atoning sacrifice.  I testify of a Redeemer who eternally guides our progression and I ask each of you to begin this very day to draw upon the power His atonement provides. 

 In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

 

 Weekly Update

 Hello everyone,

The MTC has officially come to a close.  The feeling of having completed this chapter of my mission experience is surreal.  I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in the MTC and I look forward to beginning to "invite all to come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him." (Moroni 10:32).

My mom will be posting each weekly email throughout my mission to a blog that she has created. I have heard from a couple people that they have not been receiving my weekly emails.  If this is the case, or if you would like to reread past emails, please feel free to use this blog.  Also, please feel free to send this link to anyone who you feel may benefit from reading about my mission.  It is one of my most sincere hopes that my mission will influence and inspire others to become more like our Savior.  The blog can be accessed here:  https://elderpaynecalledtothework.blogspot.com/ 

I will fly to Salt Lake on Tuesday morning.  I am eager to begin my in-field service and am anxious to see what the Lord has in store for me.

I promised last week that I would give a review on Godrogodro.  If I had to summarize my opinion in one word I would say "revolting".  I am at a loss to find words to describe the experience that eating Godrogodro is.  Imagine leaving Cream of Wheat in the sun for so long that it could be used as mortar and you have about the right idea.  This isn't just any mortar, however.  This mortar is in no way similar to something appetizing like pudding.  In fact this mortar is so strong that you could use it to build a skyscraper.  It may even be bulletproof.  I am confident that Godrogodro is an effective substitute for kevlar and could be used to rebuild the presidential bunker if that is ever needed.  Maybe concrete would be a better description than mortar.  The texture is extremely gritty and chewing it is a heroic feat.  All obstacles aside, however, I managed to eat a similar portion to what I would be served in someone's home.  I am fervently praying that I did something terribly wrong when making this delicacy but if I did not, maybe I can hope that everyone will decide to be rude so that I don't have to eat any.  If any of you would like some, please let me know.  I would be happy to bring you a piece along with a bottle of Pepto-bismol.

Bro. Maguet showed us this song one day this week.  The person who sings it, Reko (reh-koo), is essentially the Malagasy Josh Groban.  The name of the song, Mitonia (mee-too-nee-ah), means "be still".  All or very nearly all of the shots were taken in Madagascar.  If you want to hear some Malagasy, then go ahead and give it a listen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNa0Xbu66To

I hope you all have a great week,

Elder Payne 

 

 

My reaction to the Godrogodro.  I'm wondering how to get onto the TV show "Monster's Inside Me" because this would definitely count.

Sometimes food can be hard to come by as a missionary.  My companion became pretty desperate this week and tried to take down a cow.

Bro. Stepan's girlfriend, Brenna, made a guest appearance at the MTC on Monday.  We could ask any question we wanted as long as it was in Malagasy.  Bro. Stepan would then translate our questions into English and her answers into Malagasy.  I'm not quite sure why that last part was necessary since we both speak fluent English but it was nice to get the juicy details on Bro. Stepan.

My family and I hiked to this lake for P-day.

With Elder Payne on P-day.  This is the same companion that needed me to lift him up to see the Tigers.  Maybe the church should start having a height requirement to serve a mission because this guy is ridiculously short.

Either a cow or a bear, I'm not sure which.

Bro. Maguets reaction when he thought he could share details from his dating life in Malagasy but I understood what he was saying.

These are the lyrics to a Malagasy children's game.  The name of the game is "Vaky ny koko" (vah-kee    nee   koh-koh)  which means "Break the Coconut".  Everyone stands in a circle while another person says these lyrics.  As they say the lyrics that person taps each person's fist or coconut.  If they land on you when the song ends then you are out of the game.  Last coconut standing wins.

Our district.

Bro. Stepan looked like he was teaching in a photography studio yesterday.  He is posing for a photo shoot here.

Then Bro. Maguet made an appearance as his hipster alter ego.

My last companion study with Elder Fergus.

Our "movie day" at the MTC.  We had to watch this safety video as a group.  Everyone remembered to bring a snack except for me so I grabbed the most random thing I could find.  What you can't see are the boiled eggs and peanut butter that came with it.  And no, I did not really eat all of those things together.