Week #31 Food Poisoning

As most of you probably know, I was sick with food poisoning last week.  None of us could leave the house Tuesday-Sunday with the exception of going to General Conference at our local meetinghouse.

Really more than anything, this week I learned things about myself.  I learned that when I get lost in the work, I don`t even realize what is happening to me.  I get so caught up in just doing the work that I don`t see the changes occurring in me...it seems normal.  

During my week in the house, I felt TERRIBLE.  Not just because of the sicknesses, but more because I was preoccupied with the people that we have been teaching.  "How are they?  Are they reading?  Are they becoming closer to the Savior and learning?"  I can`t even tell you all of the questions that were in my head.  

I feel like I have felt the preoccupation that all of the prophets from the scriptures felt for the people they were teaching.  It is a preoccupation  but more than that, a love.  A pure love...the love of Christ.  I feel that without me even realizing it, I have at least started to develop a Christlike Brotherly Love for the people here.  It really is one of a kind.  It truly HAS to be from my Heavenly Father.  I felt soooo good when I finally was able to see the people that I had been missing.  I felt like a hole in my heart had been filled.  

It`s funny how as missionaries, many times we think or say to ourselves.."Man I`m so tired...it sure would be nice to take a nap or something", but it`s not really this way.  It made me sad.  Now, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that my Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are with me here.  Though I may not be as "successful" as some other missionaries on their mission, I am serving my purpose.  The change is occurring in me that my Heavenly Father has promised each and every one of us if we will "lose our life for his sake", to find life eternal.

I`m so grateful for this gospel.  I am so grateful that I have been chosen to receive the gospel in this life and that I have the opportunity to take advantage of this for the rest of eternity.  I want to promise each and every one of you that we all have this opportunity.  If you are reading this, you are chosen too, but you have to do your part.  You have to learn what you must do to receive these blessings as well.  I pray that each of you can see this opportunity in your lives and that really from this, you can feel the Savior`s love for you.  He loves you.  His arms are eternally extended out to us...we just have to reach out and take his hand. 

Con amor,

Elder Jackson