Eternal Perspective

Hello friends and family.  What a great time to be alive.  I
hope that everyone is doing great, and receiving the strength that
they need to get through any trails you are facing.  I know that our
Heavenly Father and His Son are very mindful of everything that you
are going through, and they are seeking earnestly to help you rise
higher.  Things are going great here in Lincoln.  We had a very busy
but spiritual week last week with several meetings throughout the
mission.  I'm starting to see the big picture, and the plans that the
Lord has for this mission.  I know that if but have the faith and
courageously follow the things He wishes us to do, we will be able to
see the fruits of our labors and have a bounteous harvest.  So Doug is
still doing great.  He is so prepared.  He had his interview for
baptism last Friday and passed with flying colors.  I talked to the
Elder who interviewed him afterwards, and he said that before he even
asked Doug any questions he started talking about how great it is to
repent, and how now that he understands it he repents everyday.  He is
really a great example to us and to the ward, and I can't wait to let
you know how things go on Saturday.  I think I also told you about
Simone.  Well, we were supposed to teach her on Saturday, but she
ended up getting really sick, and had to cancel.  But miraculously she
called a member and came to sacrament meeting the next day, even
though she was still really sick.  It's amazing the things that our
investigators will do to show that they are trying to live the gospel!
 We also have two new investigators in a small town called Seward that
are ready to be baptized next month.  One of them is the sister, and
the other is the girlfriend, of a less-active we used to teach in
Beatrice.  It was really fun to see him again, and to see that those
close to him are seeking to accept the gospel, and to help him live
it, as well.  Although we didn't have a lot of time in our area, the
Lord blessed us with the ability to make the most of the time that we
did have.  It just goes to show that this is His work, and we are just
His servants.
      So spiritual thought of the week is about eternal perspective.
One thing that I've noticed as a difference between Latter-day Saints
and most other religions/ people is our focus on eternity.  Often I
ask people what they believe is the purpose of this life, and where
they go after they die.  Although they may be very knowledgeable about
religion, few have the mindset that we are here to prepare for
eternity.  I think about all of the major choices I've made in my
life, and many of the choices I make on a day to day basis, and it
always seems that eternity and the future have a big impact on what my
decision will be.  That was even one major motivator to go back out on
a mission.  I knew that I needed to have the experiences here to help
me be a better servant of the Lord, and better father, and better
husband, a better friend, and eventually to prepare for the next life.
 I'm so grateful for the Lord for allowing me to see this, and I know
that He will do the same for all of you as you seek to be guided and
follow your own path back to Him.  I love you all so much, and hope
you have an amazing week.

Godspeed,
Elder Chandler Kendall