"I Know That He Loveth His Children."

Ruth asked me this week what the greatest lesson i have learned over the course of my mission was. 

Instantly the words of Nephi came to my mind. 

"I know that he loveth his children."

That truth became so apparent this week as I went about doing the work of the Lord. 

His love became so evident & tangible. 

His love came on Monday at lunch time. 

After we planned we headed out to lunch with all the sisters. As we walked in the worker took us aside and said that we could pick anything on the menu and he would give it to us for free. 

We were all taken back. 

We couldnt believe what we just heard. 

Soon after he came back out with bags of food. 

More than we would have ever chose ourselves. 

As he handed me the bags of food he said, 

"You dont remember me do you?" 

"Remember that day on the bus where you taught me and my daughter about Jesus Christ?"

Andrei. 

How could i forget Andrei? 

Andrei was the first person i ever talked to in Liverpool. His faith was beautiful and we connected for our love of Jesus Christ. 

We soon lost contact with Andrei. 

And to be honest i forgot about him. 

But God didnt forget Andrei. 

He loves Andrei. 

He knew where Andrei would be. 

As i prayed that night thanking Heavenly Father. 

His words came into my mind. 

"Don't forget Andrei."

A moment he reminded me of his love. 

A moment he reminded me that no effort is wasted. 

Even if it was just as simple as a lunch on a Monday. 

I will never forget Andrei. 

The love came as i entered into the bus on Tuesday evening. 

Looking into the faces of so many, i was desiring to know who he would have me teach about him. 

I saw her and i knew it was her. 

In the back of the bus. 

All alone. 

As she looked at my badge i began to remind her of her childhood. 

A place she was very familiar with. 

The church on Mill Bank. 

She shared that her neighbors were members and would often invite her family to attend church with them. She loved it. 

As she grew older her faith began to sink. 

Life wasnt as simple as it was in the church on Mill Bank those many years before.  

The people she loved most soon left her. 

She found herself alone.

Battling a brain tumor. 

"Why would God do this?"

"Where is he?"

"I want to believe."

"I just dont know how."

It was a sacred moment on the back of that bus. 

God's love was shared. 

She felt it. 

She was reminded. 

And that faith began to grow once again. 

Kelly reminded me. 

Just because its hard doesnt mean the love is gone. 

He is there all along. 

Lifting in our hurting. 

Healing in our pain. 

He loves his children. 

A love i cant deny. 

A love that filled my heart on the back of that bus. 

I will never forget Kelly. 

This love continue on Saturday. 

As we enter the home of our sweet family. 

It was a special day because we planned on extending to them a baptismal date. 

A day they have been anticipating for a long time. 

It was a beautiful moment. 

The spirit taught and the love was felt. 

Heaven was rejoicing. 

I could just feel it. 

Words that i will never forget came from sweet Doris, 

"I will do anything to be my family forever." 

There are times we may question. 

Moments we may be unsure of the next step. 

But as Doris & her family trusted that day. 

Eternity meant more. 

More than the questions. 

More than the doubts. 

Eternity meant more. 

That is where i saw the love. 

Only the love of him can soften a heart so much. 

He was present. 

We all knew it. 

We could feel it, he made sure of it. 

I struggled to love when i first emarked on this journey, i told Ruth. 

I think its because my definition of love was so different. 

I didnt understand it yet. 

I found that it is so much more. 

It took me experiencing its purity to understanding it a little more. 

This is what i have come to know. 

Love is action. 

Love is words. 

Love is thoughts. 

Love is consuming. 

Love endures. 

Love motivates. 

Love heals. 

But love also hurts. 

Love is an investment that we often arent prepared for the cost of. 

But we do it anyway. 

Because where love is, there God is also. 

And thats where i want to be. 

Where he is. 

No matter the cost. 

To be acquainted with him is all that is on my mind and in my heart. 

And i desire that so deeply for each and every soul i see. 

That is where i have found love. 

Is through learning to love him. 

Love is what matters most. 

I love, love. 

I love you all. 

I pray for you always! 

With love, 

Sister B.