Of course last night was Moves Call Monday! So here is the news on where I will be for Thanksgiving (which isn't a thing here) and Christmas!! I will be in...... LONDON NORTH! STILL! The day after Christmas marks my 6 months of my mission. I have spent the last six months in the same flat and the same area! That is so crazy. I am still going to be with Elder Mitchell and now I will be follow-up training him. I am excited that I do not have to move and meet new people for Christmas but when we found out last night that we were staying, people in the ward started to invite us over for some Christmas fun. I know that that is far out but it will be fun when it comes.
This past week Elder Mitchell and I have been meeting a lot of fantastic people. All of them, unfortunately, live in a different country. We end up giving them a card with a website or ask for their number and address so that we can give it to the mission where they live. I received this overwhelming feeling that these people are not forgotten. Because this is the Lords work, He makes things happen. Miracles are everywhere and I know that these people that leave will one day learn more and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I love being here in England. Especially in London. There is always something going on! November 5th is a big holiday here! It is compared to our 4th of July. They BBQ and blow things up and the city of London lights up the sky with fireworks. Elder Mitchell, Elder Hein, Elder Nolan and I were walking home and we decided to take the scenic route. We went to Alexanders Palace which is a massive pallace that overlooks all of London. We all go there and sit on the steps looking down at London and see fireworks from every direction go off. It was quite magical. I will remember that moment forever. I can not give words to explain how peaceful and fun it was to see that view.
On Saturday Elder Mitchell and I were about to head to a teaching appointment. We were with one of the young men in the ward and he came along with us. While waiting for the 134 bus I heard this deafening scream. A scream so loud that I had to plug my ears to stop the pain. This noise come from a young boy that was standing behind me. My immediate thoughts were "He must have broken every bone in his body" or "He might have smacked his head on the pavement." As I turned around I saw thing young boys mother cradling him as an effort to comfort him or calm him down. His hand was reaching to the sky. I first thought that was for dramatic effect but I then discovered that he was reaching for something in the sky. This little boy was dying over a balloon. His deafening scream, his hysterical crying and tantrum came from a balloon string that slipped from his tiny fingers. I then thought to myself, "Are you serious? You are crying over a stupid little balloon. A balloon that can be replaced in a minute and a balloon that has no monetary value. Wow. Get over it." I was quite harsh to be honest. But as the crying began to cease and this little boy began to reclaim his breathe, my thoughts changed. I began to ponder from the boys perspective. This boy is out in Muswell Hill with his mother. They stop in a side shop to get some food and on the way out. This mother rewards her son with the balloon he has been eyeing since they sat down to eat. He is delighted. This balloon is his best friend for the day. As the day goes on he begins to test the balloon. Letting it go and catching the string again (like all little boys tend to do). He lets go for one final time and the balloon, that is his best friend, is now gone. His entire day is ruined. His dreams are now crushed and he will not be able to live another second because of the tragic loss he has experienced. As I thought about the situation in this aspect, I felt bad for the boy. I wanted to help him. To restore the happiness he once knew. Even though, to us, losing a balloon is minuscule compared to our life problems. All of us are in different stages of life. I am here in London serving a mission. Some of you are married and have children. Others are at University and a few are mature in years who love watching their grandchildren grow up. We all face different problems. To that boy his problem was huge, to us, small. Your problem may be small to others but it is big to you. No matter what trial you are going through it is tough. It is difficult and is personal. You may think that "no one knows what I am going through. No one understands." This is not true. There is one person who does. Jesus Christ has suffered through every pain, affliction, temptation, and trial that you have and ever will go through. He, alone, knows what you are feeling. He knows how to heal you. He knows what is best for us because he has already passed through them himself. Lean on him. Accept his atonement and repent. As you humble yourselves to do so, your trials may not pass, but you will be able to handle them with more power and strength. The waves of the ocean may not get smaller, but the boat you are sailing on will be bigger. Everyone has their own balloons. "...Mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that that stand in need of comfort..." Mosiah 18:9. The mother in this story stands as a perfect comparison to our Savior. She knows that this pain and suffering is for a short time. She knows that there will be better days but she still decides to hold him in her arms to try to comfort this screaming child. Your may also be that help to comfort those that are in need of help. Act Christlike and reach out to care for someone you love. If you are the one passing through the trial that is comparable to the boy and his balloon in this story; do not give up nor fall down. But rather stand strong and courageous leaning upon our Savior. Remember His promise, " I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." In the Book of Mormon there is a passage that reads, "... For not withstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts."
Have a wonderfully posh week and reach out to someone in need. You both will be blessed for doing so.
With Love,
Elder David
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