so another six weeks has come and gone! the mission i just flying by! i can not believe that i am no starting my 7th transfer! i have honestly learned so much in the short time that i have been here! my testimonie of everything has grown so much!! i am so very greatful for all that i have learned!!
i know that my savior lived and died for me and that he once again lives and gave all of us the chance to also live again. i also know that satan is real and that he will do everything in his power to keep us from being seccessful. if you dont have a testimonie of this reed the book of mormon and you will. i also know that satan has only power over us of the thing that we alowe of him. i know that we have the power to over any temtation that he throws at us and i know that if we dont god will give it to us!! i testify that god loves every one of us and knows us personally!!
Many people in the Western hemisphere may not understand Jesus’ imagery of shepherds and sheep since they are more familiar with sheepherders than shepherds. Western sheepherders often use dogs or ride horses or drive large numbers of sheep to desired locations. In the Middle East, it is done differently. Shepherds often have small flocks, and their sheep are more like pets. They have names for each sheep or lamb similar to the way Westerners have names for pet dogs or cats.
Once, while I was touring Israel, our group watched a shepherd with his sheep. The shepherd would lead his sheep. He walked in front and the sheep followed behind. The sheep for the most part followed the shepherd in single file. When the shepherd came to a busy road, he first crossed the road himself. He then called each sheep by name to cross the road one by one as traffic permitted. The sheep knew his voice. They responded to that voice in obedience for their own safety. The good shepherd knew his sheep. He loved them. He protected them. The sheep trusted the shepherd with their lives.
On another occasion, a Church Education System group touring the Holy Land came upon a shepherd carrying a small lamb in a large pocket he had inside his garment. A member of the group noted a splint on the lamb’s leg. When asked how the leg had become broken the shepherd replied, “I broke it.” The shepherd then explained that the little lamb had kept wandering away from the flock, putting his life in jeopardy. This good shepherd had broken the lamb’s leg so the lamb would have to be carried. Of necessity, the lamb would learn to depend on the shepherd and consequently remain free from the physical dangers that seemed to entice him.
In a similar fashion, Christ, the Good Shepherd, allows us—His sheep—to experience trials, adversity, and “spiritual broken legs” to teach us dependence on Him. If we, as His sheep, through this process of adversity, learn to stay close to Him and let Him carry us, we can then truly be a part of his fold and he becomes our Shepherd.
If we rearrange our thinking, we may see our trials as a “broken leg”, drawing us closer to Him. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and provides them not only with hope, but also with protection in His fold and kingdom—whether we are gently led there, or humbled and carried. May we see the wisdom of His plan and may it bring to us “hope through the atonement of Christ . . . to be raised up unto eternal life . . . because of [our] faith in him . . .” (Moroni 7:41) is my prayer.
i know this is true!
Love Elder Groen!!
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