You do not need to wander or wonder

 

3-8-21

Hello everyone, 

Things are exciting here in Topeka!  We had a zone conference and a special social media training from our social media leaders.  We found a new person. We call her Mama M, and she is amazing. We love her; she is such a fun light in our lives. Topeka for the most part is still the same - the smell of dog food. 

We do community service at a place called Catholic Charities - that's a fun place.  It's so amazing to see those in need get helped and supported.  People in less fortunate circumstances are some of the most grateful people I've ever seen. Also, I have my friends Peggy and Eileen. They are sister in laws - they are older ladies, but they are so funny and amazing as the volunteer with us at Catholic Charities. 

Our teaching pool is only Mama M kind of at the moment - it's complicated. Then we have John, Dan, and a lot more potential. We just have a really hard time getting in contact with these people, but we are trying. Hopefully, next week people will be more available. I'm praying.

Spiritual thought: 

Our prophet Russell M. Nelson (who I absolutely love) said the following in his "Let God Prevail" talk this past October, "The Savior will heal your broken heart. The heavens will open as you seek to know how to move forward. You do not need to wander or wonder."

What a prophetic blessing - the Savior can heal your broken heart, aka all your sorrows, pains, and afflictions. The heavens will open, aka help on the other side and revelation for our own lives. Then He tells us we don't need to wander or wonder. This quote could be read for almost any circumstance - a couple that experience a miscarriage, a victim of sexual abuse or physical abuse, a person suffering from depression, a person born with a birth defect, a person that lost a love one, the list can go on and on. 

When we are told the Savior can heal our broken heart, that is because of the Atoning Sacrifice He made for us.  It was out of love for His Father and out of love for us. In Matthew 26:39, it says this about His Atonement for the sins and sorrows of mankind, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." 

We have to be like Christ and accept our Fathers will; we have to be submissive and meek and lowly of heart to allow the Savior’s Atonement to fix our hearts. Elder Holland once said, "If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead." We have to have faith and trust that our trials and pains will make us grow and that the Savior's Atonement is for all, and it can heal us in time. Then the heavens will open, and we will receive promptings from the Holy Spirit on what we need to do, what action we need to take in our lives. 

Then, when the storm is calmed, the winds have stopped, and our trials are over, we need not wander or wonder. Genesis 2: 18 reads, "...It is not good that the man should be alone…" . Nobody should be alone to wander or wonder in past mistakes that have been repented of, or past traumatic experiences that they were victims of, or people that had a spouse cheat on them, or a loss of a love one, or a someone who had a friend that took their own life, the list goes on and on. We do not need to ask ourselves what could have been done? Where did I go wrong?

Unless we are at fault - then these are valid questions, but they should not torment us and discourage us. If we are at fault, the Atonement of Jesus Christ can help you fix what you have broken. If we were blameless and the victim, find peace in Christ and his love for you; talk with people you trust and love. You don't need to wander or wonder on your own.

Love you all, 

Elder Hedrick