I’m Gonna Be A Dad!
From: Seth Gifford
Date: Mon, Sep 21, 2020 14:57 PM
Subject: I’m Gonna Be a Dad!
Hello there!
For those of you who don’t understand missionary terminology, my subject means that I’m going to be training a new missionary!! I’m only 8-9ish weeks into my 12 week training but there are so many missionaries coming out that we are now a trio (on Thursday) and I will be training him while Elder Raymond trains me. We will live in a 3 generational household. We are pretty excited.
We hope our greenie likes making videos because me and Elder Raymond have 3 video projects we are currently working on….
Sorry this email isn’t formatted and probably won’t make tons of sense. I don’t have tons of time to write because we left early this morning to drive to this sweet place called “Hanging Rock State Park” which is basically the coolest thing here and the closest I’ve gotten to Utah mountains. When we were driving and saw the “mountains” I literally screamed because I was so happy to see something more than just flat tree lines. Needless to say I enjoyed the hike and view immensely. Definitely a stress reliever. I’ve been DYING to go on a hike or go to some mountains and finally my dreams came true. We are going back there again soon for sure, especially when my son (trainee) comes.
Anyway I hope you are all doing well! This is a scary time to live in, and it’s not easy. But the Lord is always always always always always there even when you can’t see it. I wanna get real for a second. I have a lot of weaknesses I’ve been working on overcoming for a long time. Sometimes I can get pretty discouraged thinking about how far I still have to go, and thinking about how hard it’s been. There have definitely been times when I’ve questioned Heavenly Father and why I’ve been given my specific challenges in this life. It’s caused me a lot of heartache, grief, and pain, and usually it’s pretty hard to see the purposes of them. But, I was reminded in a very loving way recently that the Lord is aware of me, and has designed my specific challenges to help me learn what I need to learn and progress to ultimately become as He is. I realized that the Lord is in control and will turn my difficulties into a masterpiece. Everything will work out for my good, as long as I keep turning to the Savior and never stop trying.
I want to testify that the same is very true for each and every single one of you! The Lord can make you into what you aren’t. He can turn any valley into a majestic mountain. He can turn the darkest abyss into a source of brilliant light. But, He can only do so when we trust Him, give Him our will, and let Him afflict us with whatever He sees fit. Remember: all things will work together for your good. The Lord uses hard things to bring us closer to Him. Sometimes the things that happen don’t make sense, but they make sense to Heavenly Father! I promise He loves you, knows you, and will lead you to become all you can become. He will help you reach your full potential. He can help you find peace, comfort, strength, and light in your trials and troubles. Keep fighting! Keep trusting! The Lord is on your side!
I love you all!
-Elder Gifford
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