Elder Scott Learning, Living and Sharing the Gospel in Perú: You Cannot Fail When You're On The Lord's Errand

Some days are tougher than others like earlier in the month when Elder Scott wrote home saying, "I’m exhausted and tired. Today was just rough so I decided to open my “Open When You’ve Had a Hard Day” envelope and got a cool new tie that looks like one I traded for in the CCM, and 2 little papers that I really needed. One especially that says, “It’s impossible to fail when you do your best when you are on the Lord’s errand-Elder M. Russell Ballard”. After today that was the exact words I needed."

The Elders had just come out of 5 straight days where trying obstacles were being hurtled at them left and right. Every one of their appointments, references and accompaniments had fallen through. They were walking endless miles without lot to show for their strong determination. Members and investigators they were teaching lost their jobs unexpectedly.The continuing search for a new apartment was proving unfruitful. Add to that that their amazing pensionista was going to need to take a break to regain her health and they didn't have a new one in place, and all of this was causing them worry and challenging moments. It was a lot to overcome, but overcome they did, and each passing day was looked at as a new opportunity to conquer the challenges placed before them. As of last Monday they had quite a turn-around. Appointments and lessons were going good, there's a promising new apartment prospect and they were able to get a temporary pensionista while they continue looking for a permanent one (by the way, I want to give a HUGE shout-out to the Perez-Moron family for all they have done for Elder Scott. They have been fantastic pension's. They have treated E. Scott like their own son and I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the love they share with all of our missionaries and their families back home).

Special Pizza Hut lunch to thank these beautiful
sisters for their kindness and to show how much
the Elder's appreciated having them as their pensionistas.

Hermana Patty and Hermana Moriama
Thank you for serving my son so kindly.

Elder Moran, Elder Scott and SAM the flamingo :-)

Ice cream treat to finish the lunch

Each of us will be given adversity in our lives that we must overcome. It's easy to ask the question,'Why me?' It's true that life can seem unfair at times, but when those doubts, questions, fears, and discouragement try to invade our thoughts, I like to think about the words President Henry B. Eyring stated in an April 2009 talk titled 'Adversity' in which he says, "The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their (Heavenly Father and the Savior) infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life. Then our spirits will be changed. We will become able to want what God wants, to think as He thinks, and thus be prepared for the trust of an endless posterity to teach and to lead through tests to be raised up to qualify to live forever in eternal life.

It is clear that for us to have that gift and be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him."

The Savior has promised relief to those that endure, John 16:33 says, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

The Lord can and will give us strength to rise through every trial. Being patient, enduring well, and waiting on the Lord will strengthen us. There is nothing that we are enduring that our Savior does not understand, and He wants us to go to our Father in Heaven in prayer to seek His guidance, comfort, and strength to overcome.

We're still a few weeks behind on current pictures, but here's some of the older ones that finally made it through this week.

Elder Scott and Elder Willand

Here's a prime example of adversity. Accompanying
the missionaries as they are teaching and stepping
into some nasty dog ick. Felix ~ you're a trooper!