Minneconsin Weekly (March 31, 2014)

I've never been as tired as I am now this would have to be one of the longest weeks of my mission so far. I have been working more diligently and I have been doing my best to make sure that things are moving here in River Falls. I am glad that I can see the fruits of my labors and this brings me much joy, but the work is not over yet and the field is still white and there is much to be harvested. This week I've been working on sharpening the tools that I use as a missionary, things like my teaching skills, listening skills, and planning skills. I have been striving to make sure that everything I do as a missionary is balanced and in order because I know that if I lose my balance I will become stresses and susceptible to temptation. This Saturday we went on an exchange with our Zone Leaders and I was with Elder Walker, we stayed in River Falls. During our dinner hour he gave me some advice on prioritizing my efforts, by helping me to develop some foresight. I hope to be able to put it to use this week as I look ahead and set goals and make plans to accomplish those goals. I hope that as I learn to develop my foresight that I will be able to balance my efforts more and that I will be able to deal with the many different things that come up in my mission.

This week I have been taking a deeper look at the Atonement, and I have learned many things about it from the general authorities. But I am choosing not to share what I have learned because I don't know how to explain it in a clear and concise way. However I do want you to know that the Atonement is a wonderful thing and the more I learn about it the more confidence I gain in proclaiming repentance unto this people. I know that learning more about my savior and his Atonement has helped me to draw near to him.

President Clements talked about the Atonement in his letter to the mission this week. He said "

We should regularly apply the Atonement for self-improvement, while enduring to the end. If we choose the course of steady improvement, which is clearly the course of discipleship, we will become more righteous and can move from what may be initially a mere acknowledgement of Jesus on to admiration of Jesus, then on to adoration of Jesus, and finally to emulation of Jesus. In that process of striving to become more like Him through steady improvement, we must be in the posture of repentance, even if no major transgression is involved."

One of my goals for this week is to continue to progress and develop Christ like attributes. I look forward to this week with great hopes and much joys. I know that must be in the posture of repentance, even if no major transgression is involved. in order for the Saviors Atonement to take more hold in my life.

Sincerely

Elder Hurd.