week 33

Yesterday was Presidents' Day (I think), so we didn't get to email until this morning. Sorry it's a day late, but better late than never!

This past week has been full of making adjustments as I've been getting used to the new area. The ward here is wonderful, with lots of members who are extremely willing to help us in teaching appointments. There are actually 3 sets of missionaries in this ward! (one of the companionships is Spanish-speaking, though) This area is a walk/bus/bike area, which is probably the biggest adjustment. I've enjoyed it a lot more than I've thought I would, though. There are so many more opportunities to stop and talk to people as you are traveling, which is great. There are also a lot more people who are willing and interested in talking to us. 

Another highlight from this past week was reuniting with the Robinson family. He is not a member (quite yet), and we were working with them in my last area until they moved here. It was great seeing the expressions on their faces when they recognized who I was. He is planning on being baptized this upcoming Saturday, and he asked that I baptize him. I was humbled by his request. It seems that I'm in this area for very specific people, and I believe he is one of them.

A theme that I've noticed throughout my studies recently is how God really views us. A great example of this is in Alma 26, when Ammon is rejoicing in the success that he and his brethren have been blessed with. In verses 17-20, Ammon says "Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state. Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church.Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction,yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair. Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold,he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery,even to the salvation of our souls."

Ammon asks in that passage "Why didn't God immediately condemn us for our sins?" I thought about this and came to the conclusion that God does not look for our immediate perfection, but rather our eternal potential. God could see what good Ammon and his brethren could do, and so he gave them the opportunity to change and do better. What an amazing blessing it is to know that God is doing everything He possibly can to help us become all that we can be. He loves us, and He knows what is best for us.

I love this work, and I love all of you!

The Church is True!

Love,

Elder Fullmer