Hard and easy

 Hello Elder Roberts

So I have a story to tell you from the temple this week we had the temple matron tell us the story

She was in a testimony meeting and a dear sister got up and bore her testimony in order to inspire the youth but instead she through many tears and great sadness shared lots of times the same message “living the gospel is hard”

Sister Herbertson the temple matron said “I think she doesn’t understand living without the gospel is hard. But living the gospel if you turn your life over to the Savior and trust in him is not hard. Matt 11:28-30

It made me think of the story of the banana bread . In that story a young woman a young mother wanted to serve someone after she dropped her children off at school so she got on her knees and prayed and got a name of someone who needed her she was very excited and she got up and started making banana bread to take to visit this ship this person the Lord told her  she got the banana bread made she went and did the visit but unfortunately then she was late to pick up her children from school and then she was late to make dinner and then she was late to get them to bed and when she got home of course there was a big banana bread mess and so there was the heaviness of trying to make dinner and get everything situated back from where it was

 That night she was praying to the Lord and so upset and sad I just can’t do anything and I can’t serve because it just makes a mess everywhere else in the Lord said “I said nothing about banana bread”.

Ever since I heard the story I have wondered often and ask myself am I making banana bread or am I doing what the Lord asked I think when the gospel and living the gospel is hard is when we add all kinds of things that are not necessary or needful to what the Lord has asked us to do

Today I am reading and Helaman 13 and loving the likeness between you and one of your scripture heroes on my study guide it asked what do you learn about Samuel the Lamanite and verses two through four and some of the things that I wrote down are things that apply to you as well

I think Samuel the Lamanite was creative and he was able to think of a new way to get into the city after he’s been kicked out I think you also have shown many ways that you are creative and have the ability to find ways to find people that are non-traditional  I love your Park contacting I think that is a great way to meet people that are out and about and I think that’s been a good use of your time I guess I wonder also how you impact others just by being in the park and having them see you  even if you don’t contact them

I think Samuel the Lamanite was brave and willing to go back even though the people had kicked him out of the city I think you two are very brave and have gone back again and again even when you have been kicked out knowing that what you bring is from the Lord and his need for for the people that you were trying to help

I love you forever and ever and I’m so proud of you! I pray for you every day and hope for your success and that you can find those who need you.  Continue as Samuel the Lamanite and speak the words the word puts into your heart and try again even when you receive rejection

I love you very much my son.

Love, mom