Charity Never #FAIL(eth)

theuplift//reward//jerichoroad//charity

Mission Christmas Dinner

I ran into all my Manassas Friends at the Washington DC Temple Visitors

Sunday afternoon:
We waited in the parking lot for another set of missionaries we needed to take home. As I sat in the car I watched out the window as the YSA Ward was beginning to gather together for their Sunday meetings. Lots of people, from lots of different places all walking into the church building. And then I saw F.  In church pants with a button up shirt, a sweater, and a tie around his neck. Happy as ever. Chatting along with other YSA members, with new found
friends. He had his phone out, as always. Same old F. But here. I nearly jumped out of my seat.

We greeted, just small talk. I couldn't help but think only a year ago we were shoveling snow out of a dreary winter blizzard hit apartment complex. Digging F's car out of the snow. When he asked us who we were he had no idea what we were about. Months and months of
lessons and cookies and knocking on his door after his graveyard shift to wake him up for church. Teaching him how to tie a tie. Devotionals, Conferences. Teaching him what Cafe Rio was. General conference at the B's House. The day we sat in the clubhouse behind the VRE train and he told us he wanted to be baptized.

...And almost a year later, we just run into each other at the YSA Ward church building. And we have a nice conversation, cut short because he had to "get to church on time."  
But what better reason to cut a conversation short?


Tuesday evening:
At the Temple Lights walking through a room full of Nativity's. I turned around and saw a familiar face. A youth member from my very first ward and area in Manassas. Only to be followed by another familiar Manassas face. And then another's.  Soon I realized the entire youth group from my first ward family was piling into the Washington, D.C. Temple visitors center.  Bundled up in winter coats. It only took seconds before the hugs exploded. Families who took us in during Christmas, Valentines and New Year's Eve. Countless hours of service, and church and Preparation day activities. Lessons and exchanges. Smiles and tears. All these wonderful memories of my first five months in the mission field came flooding into the room. "Hello Sister Stucki's!" Followed by pictures and hand shakes and hugs and high fives.

And then Sister Schramm. Who taught me so much. How to be a missionary. How to be confident.  She showed me the ropes and set the bar high. So many laughs and learning experiences. 
All came rushing back.

I logged onto Facebook and received a message from D. My ASL friend. Several silly pictures of the new deaf branch ward president and his son goofing around at the church in Silver Springs. D. finally began attending the ASL branch and blessing the lives there after his baptism a few short months ago. I couldn't hold a smile back as I saw him there at church learning and growing and fellow shipping. Even without the missionaries texting him MEOWS! (Inside joke sorry) to come to church. It is just a lifestyle now. 
It is part of him. And he loves it.

We visited Cafe Rio Wednesday evening with a lady and introduced her to K.  Who works at Cafe Rio. Who this past summer ran up to the missionaries asking "How do I become a missionary? You're all so happy!" Months later, she was baptized. As she found truth and answers to her questions and concerns. Nothing better than seeing her smiling face + delicious sweet pork salads. Getting to converse about Christmas festivities and celebrating the birth of Christ. 
Seeing a glow in her eyes and she told us about simply... Life.:)

Friday evening:
I got a phone call... some sisters in Arlington ran into N. & N. two girls I was great friends with in Manassas. They asked to have the lessons again. They were living with there mom again and wanted to be baptized. They remembered vividly all the many lessons Sister Schramm and I had taught them nearly a year ago. I remember when they knew very little about the love that God had for them individually.  
Their worth as a Daughter of God, and Christ's for them.

Yesterday D. messaged me on Facebook telling me he set a baptism date for this month. Almost six months ago we started chatting on Facebook. Then Skyping. Talking about the goodness of God in our lives. I remember him taking notes, his pencil flying at hundred mile speeds trying to take in all the inspiration he was receiving. Months later missionaries in his area down south were able to begin teaching him the discussions. What a joy it was to see not only his face via Skype but two elders in white shirts and ties sitting on his couch. 
And now here he is.

These are the rewards of our service as missionaries.

 
We don't get paid, or ranked higher or glorified. It's not about the activities or the decorations or the clothes or the name tag. It's not even the "east coast experience" or the games or the sights I get to see. The reward doesn't lie in the adventures of traveling the east coast and Virginia. 

The reward is so much greater 

than any worldly form of payment or recognition.

It's the friendships built, the lives changed.

This blog doesn't do the work any justice at all. You see the fun pictures and read the silly stories. But I can't clearly relate to you the experiences I've had as a missionary. Not even a percentage of them. I don't want any young Sister, or soon to be Elder, or Missionary Mom, or any other reader to be fooled that this is a butterflies and rainbows experience where we come and we enjoy 1.5-2 years having a "Good Time" because it's not that at all. 
If that's the impression this blog leaves I've failed to explain my call correctly. I suppose service as a missionary isn't something I can describe in a blogpost. Or any post. Or speech. Or journal entry of any magnitude.

I think it's one of those, "you have to feel it to explain it" types of things.

But... the reward of serving as a missionary is so great.

Growing to love people so much they become family.
In such a short amount of time. People who I would never have known. People who I never may have crossed paths with. Become friends. Laugh together, cry together. 
We grow together, we change together.

I can't say I'll miss the cold or the snow, or even the trees. I won't miss the traffic or the big city or the lights or the smells. There are lots of things that don't particularly interest me about the east coast, or things I don't quite fit into. My home will always be home and Virginia doesn't even begin to compare the home I have waiting for me in six months.

But a piece of my heart is already stuck here.

A part of who I am, and who I've become.

It's stuck with the people here. The experiences here. The memories here.

Home is Who I am.
But this is where I've truly become...
Someone a little bit better
Something a little more

When I look back on this year, I think Virginia will be a bit more difficult to let go of then I originally anticipated.

I read a book once that said something to the effect of how giving your whole heart, truly loving, only sets you at risk for becoming broken hearted.

But that's the risk we take when we love. We take the risk of a broken heart. 

But if we don't take the risk we will never love. And what's a life without loving?

I wish I could remember the reference. Probably The Great Gatsby. Or Farewell to Arms. Some classic novel I read at some point. Anyway. I think that's the Ultimate Reward.
Learning to love, so much.

So that's what I wanna tell y'all today.
I wanna spread some love.
WHAT DO U KNOW ABOUT LOVE?

....

CHARITY
Is the highest, noblest and strongest kind of LOVE.

Charity never faileth.
If we have ALL other characteristics, but not charity, we are nothing.
Charity is the MOTIVE BEHIND good
Charity is the pure love of Christ.

This is something we each need to be constantly striving to improve,
acquire and understand. Charity.

"Charity suffereth long,

and is kind,

and envieth not,

and is not puffed up,

seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked,

thinketh no evil,

and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth,

beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things.

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are

nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity,

which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; 
and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, 
it shall be well with him."

Moroni 7:45-47

After reading that verse of scripture and rating myself on a one to
ten scale at how good I am of showing charity, I realized...


I fail.


It's come to my attention that I'm the least loving person on the planet.
K. maybe not on the planet.
But considering the fact I need a New goal for 2015....
I took this //constructive// criticism as a challenge.
#haters

Now hear me out!
Everyone's gotta struggle with something.
So there ya go
I struggle with Christlike love towards all people
It's easy to love those that love you
But not everyone.
Or those who annoy you
Or antagonize you
Or are rude and obnoxious or don't have social skills
It's my biggest downfall sometimes.
Something I want to improve on

Now don't get all giddy like you're the best at Christlike love and charity and you just one upped me on this one, because chances are you probably (fail) "aren't perfect" at it too my friend. JUST SAYING. #humilitycheck

The pure love of Christ literally is the definition of Charity. Christ showed charity and love toward all men, no matter the circumstance. And he meant it too, he really loved the people, all people. He didn't just put up a front, that's who he was.

No matter what front we put up on the outside people respond to what we are feeling. Are we really charitable people? Are we REALLY full of Christlike love, towards everyone?


This is a difficult task. I realize. In order to gain charity we must constantly be striving for it. Praying for it. Practicing patience, forgiveness, service and love. Being selfless... We have to get out of our box. To not see ourselves as the victim. To not see others problems or needs less significant than our own. To Regard people as a person with feelings, cares, dreams,
desires, struggles. Not just an object. Regarding people as problems or objects is distorted. We truly have to get out of our box.

We can't change other people.  We can only change ourselves.
By getting out of our box.

This isn't particularly easy. Maybe it's easy to talk about. Or to do in specific circumstances. Like when you actually enjoy the person you're being charitable towards. But we weren't commanded to pick and choose when we will show charity and who we will show charity towards. Rather we were asked to be so full of charity and Christlike love that it flows out upon all who we meet. Even those who may have caused conflict in our life, or those we are not particularly fond of. This is definitely something I'm still learning.

But learning is the key right?

The more I learn about Charity the more I realize I have to work on. This entire past year my goal was to become DISCIPLINED. I worked really hard on being more disciplined. In 2015 my word, or my goal is CHARITY. My goal is to gain a more Christlike love for those around me. To become a person full of charity and love. And believe me this is a task! But it's all about that constant improvement right?

Christ was constantly teaching us to love more fully. And I thought I did pretty good at that. I mean I loved my family. I loved (some of) my friends. I loved my car.. .. ......... But hold up. Charity isn't just about picking and choosing what or whom you love.

"Charity suffereth long,

and is kind,

and envieth not,

and is not puffed up,

seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked,

thinketh no evil,

and rejoiceth not in iniquity 

but rejoiceth in the truth,

beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things."

I'M AWFUL AT THAT.
For starters, 
I'm the most easily provoked human on the planet. 
You could say
A N Y T H I N G
to me and I will find a way to argue it. 
My goodness, that's not charity. 
Or love.
*not to mention all else on that list*

You know quite frankly, I believe we all have some sort of charity item to work on. But this New Year my word and my goal is CHARITY. To learn to love more fully. I think this is something we can each work on.  I personally challenge each of you to find a way to be more
charitable. Especially this Christmas Season where we are being constantly reminded of Christ's love. And especially in situations where it's most difficult to show charity towards someone / something.

One of my favorite examples of this is the Good Samaritan.

 Who was he?

"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, 

and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, 

and departed, leaving him half dead.

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he

saw him, he passed by on the other side.

And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on

him, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when

he saw him, he had compassion on him,

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and

set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of

him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave

them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever

thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that

fell among the thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him,

Go, and do thou likewise." -Luke 10:30-37

The good Samaritan had zero obligation to help the man lying on the roadside.
He had a life and needs too.
However
He put someone else's needs above his own,
It's our choice to act this way
Who needs you?


Each of us in our journey through mortality will travel our own Jericho road. 
What will be your experience? 
What will be mine? 
Will I fail to notice him who has fallen and requires my help? 
Will you? 
Will I be the one who sees the injured, hears his plea yet crosses to the other side? 
Will you? 
Or will I be the one who sees, hears, pauses and helps?.....
Will you?" 
-Thomas S Monson


This story is a parable.
It's not directly referring to helping people who have been mugged and are laying on the dirty roadside, beaten and bruised. Rather metaphorically speaking... Who do you know that is in need of help? Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? Who is struggling? Who
needs a friend? How many times have you passed by the lonely kid between the lockers in middle school? How many times have you seen the kid being laughed at and made fun of at high school? How many times have you seen someone drop there 30 lbs of text books while running late to college? How many times have you passed the lady with two toddlers running around the parking lot and a screaming baby at the grocery store?

Everyone is walking down there own "Jericho Road"
As we travel, what kind of person are we? A charitable one?

No excuses. We are ALL busy. We ALL have needs. We ALL have somewhere else do be, something "better" to do.

The Good Samaritan had zero obligation to help the man lying on the roadside.
He had a life and needs too.
He put someone else's needs above his own,
It's our choice to act this way
Who needs you?

We each have a reason or a purpose everyday of our lives.
What purpose does God need us for today?
Who needs us, today?

Each of us in our journey through mortality will travel our own
Jericho road. What will be your experience? What will be mine?

How will you show Charity to those around you this month? This year?

Who needs you?
Get out of the box.

MYONEWORD{charity&love}2015

try it.
#sharegoodness

I love you guys!

Lets talk
Madison.stucki@myldsmail.net

S.stucki
(December 15, 2014)
Sent from my iPad

WHY Would I WANT To?

Today in our sacrament meeting in St. George, Utah our missionaries currently serving were asked to write a letter home about becoming spiritually self reliant and a family member read it in sacrament.  It was an amazing meeting filled with the spirit.  

This is what Madison wrote home...

Becoming Spiritually Self Reliant



I don't know how Brother Hutchings expects me to answer this question in under five minutes. All I can say is… Lucky reader …READ FAST. 

(Bonnie L. Oscarson)
"You have the primary responsibility for your own conversion. No one can be converted for you, and no one can force you to become converted." 



Looking back I think the first time I really thought about the importance of being spiritually self reliant is when I was twelve years old. I vividly  remember I was in 6th grade and it was the last day of school before Christmas break. Everybody was excited for the holidays. I was twelve years old.  My classmates and I rode the bus to school every morning at 7:30 am.  It was cold and dark.

This particular morning there was a tragic accident.  A 12 year old girl in my grade ran across the street while waiting for the school bus and was hit by another vehicle. A few hours into the school day the office announced over the speaker system into every classroom at Fossil Ridge that this young girl had passed away.

This was a devastation and a heartache to the entire school of    12-14 year old kids. At this point in my life I had never witnessed a passing of someone so young.  And it didn't seem quite right. 

I was so confused.  Along with countless others. How is it that one day you see someones bright smiling face and the next day they're gone. It was then that I actually began thinking about the purpose of life. Questions arose such as... Why are we here? Where did we come from? And where are we going?



Fortunately I have wonderful parents who did then, and continue to now, teach me the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Which answers those questions. Answers about the Restoration of the church and Gods plan for us. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the commandments each provide comfort and peace as we listen to the teachings and follow them. 

I'm so grateful my parents were able to share these lessons with me as a teenager. Many of us are blessed with this same council. Many of you here today have had either parents, friends, family or missionaries present these same lessons and gospel teachings to you in your own life. And you were able to feel their strong conversion to Christ’s Gospel.  

This most likely has had a lasting influence on you. However, as wonderful as it was for me to have parents so willing to share THEIR conviction and testimony of the Gospel. I soon learned that it was critical that I gain my OWN testimony of Gods plan for his children. Otherwise, I was simply living off of borrowed light. 

Douglas Callister said:
"Every individual must find out for himself. None can permanently endure on borrowed light." Likewise, with each of us we cannot endure on borrowed light. Each of us must become spiritually self reliant.



Throughout my life I have had wonderful opportunities to strengthen my own testimony. So that I may become truly converted to the Gospel. One of these opportunities has been the unique option to serve as a full time missionary.

Being a missionary gives you the chance to independently share YOUR own testimony and YOUR OWN conversion with those you serve. One of the most beneficial sources of knowledge for me has been reading the Book of Mormon. 

As you study, ponder, read and pray you gain inspiration and answers and expand your knowledge to help build and sustain your own testimony. As you share your testimony you strengthen and solidify that conviction in your heart.

Becoming spiritually self reliant is a choice each must make for ourselves. In Octobers General Conference, Jorge Klebingat talked about Six Specific Practical Suggestions to Increase Our Spiritual Confidence. 



#1 To take responsibility for your own spiritual well being. He said, “spiritual confidence increases when you take responsibility by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, daily.”
If you don't take responsibility for your spirituality who will? If you never act, how will you ever know? And if you never know, you will be left dwindling in confusion when trials, tribulation or questions arise. 

None of us are exempt from these challenges life gives us. The difference is if we have a firm foundation and confidence that we are spiritually SELF RELIANT  we won't have to endure it alone.  We will see the eternal perspective and be able to not only help ourselves but help others too.


A few days ago a man asked me a particularly interesting question. We were teaching him and his girlfriend who is a member of the church. He was not incredibly interested, however he would sit through the lessons and make snarky remarks and sarcastic comments to frustrate the missionaries. 

My companion and I bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and coming to know it was true for yourself. At the end of the lesson we asked his girlfriend to read the Book of Mormon.  To which she responded, Yes! 

We then looked at him and asked if he would read the Book of Mormon to which he non chalantly responded...

“Why would I want to?”

Slightly shocked, I looked the man straight in the eyes and said, 
“that's a very good question. Why WOULD you want to read the Book of Mormon? That's something that we as missionaries can't give you an answer to. That is precisely something that YOU have to answer for yourself. 

Why would you want to read the Book of Mormon? 
What is it going to do for YOU? 
What is the Gospel going to do for you? 
Why would you want to learn about it? 
What's the point right?”

He looked at me… kind of shocked and nodded.

To which we simply responded, “if you do not have the desire now, we challenge you to pray for that desire. To ask God WHY?  Why learn about these things? About the scriptures?  About your Savior? About the restored gospel?  Why is it important?”  

Because when you do, “God will answer you. And you will know It. 
You will feel it and you will understand.”

It was an interesting lesson that did not quite go as I anticipated.  But I took a very powerful lesson from it. And that question has stuck with me.

Why would I want to?

I have found myself reflecting upon that question often times as I think about my life. About the Gospel, it’s teachings, the commandments, the ordinances, and the doctrine. Why is it all important? Why do we go to such great heights and depths to share the message of the restored gospel? Why do we alter complete lifestyles to fit the teachings of Jesus Christ? And why do we continually seek to understand God’s plan for us? Why is it important to know? Why would I want to know?

As I've asked myself this question I've come to several conclusions.  Which ultimately end up at the same bottom line that without the Gospel of Jesus Christ life would be desolate. Without knowing there was a God, without knowing he has a plan, without knowing we have a purpose, we would be hopeless. 

That a little twelve year old girl wondering those big grown up questions would have been terrified to live her life never knowing, never gaining answers, and feeling all alone.

But because God has a plan and because we have this Gospel, we are never alone. We can find peace, comfort and solace in this life as we strive to become spiritually self reliant. Relying on our Savior to carry us through, because none of us can make it without him.

But with Him all is possible and we can confidently walk through life in both the good times and the bad. Knowing that God has a unique plan for each of us individually.





So back to the question, ”Why would I want to?”

I want to personally invite each of you to ponder that question for yourself. Why are you here? Why strive to become spiritually self reliant? Why do the prophets and apostles of God encourage us to heed the scriptures and teachings of the gospel? And why would we want to?

I feel like when you answer that question for yourself and find that reason of why this is important, things begin to click and to make sense.  But no one can force you to want take that responsibility. We each make our own choice.





I'm grateful that at a young age I was able to begin my life long journey of becoming spiritually self reliant. So that as choices and big decisions came my way I was able to keep an eternal perspective. To look at the end goal. To progress and improve. And to be happy and joyful along the way… until I reach my final destination.







I know with all my heart that God loves us and he wants us to return home.  This Gospel makes that possible. I've seen hearts soften and lives change through the grace of our Savior.  I'm eternally grateful for the chance I've had to serve my Savior and others this past year. It terrifies me to think I only have a short seven months left to be a full time missionary. 

However, I know each of us can reach out and make a difference in our every day lives. Even if we don't have a badge on.  And yes, even if we live in Utah. There are so many opportunities to change the life of another.  No joy is greater than helping a fellow son or daughter of God find their way home.





Thank you for the support and kind words of encouragement.
I Love you guys.


          ~Amen






Sister Madison Stucki
Sent from my iPad

Haters Gonna Hate

?

Service Projo

Planting Bulbs for our Neighbor

Healthy Diet = Hair Growth. CHECK.



Halloween Gathering of Missionaries

I'm sure I've mentioned the sudden "waterfall storms" 

Missionary life is soooooo GREAT with a HAPPY companion!!!!!!!!

Happy Veterans Day, I'm grateful for our Vets!

Hey Bloggers! (And other readers)
Have YOU hit the FOLLOW button on the left sidebar yet?
<----------------------------------
Click the button to follow along and receive updates about new blog posts!
If you have questions email me at Madison.stucki@myldsmail.net

thank you!

We tracted into a home filled with Catholic nuns and they invited us to their youth event. I must look like I’m 17. #stillgotit?

My favorite part of this week however, was meeting Christopher.

A member in our ward asked us to visit this boy named Christopher and his mom. She told us beforehand that we would have an amazing and spiritual experience being in his presence. I thought that was quite interesting and wondered how so?

I learned that Christopher is eight years old and he has cerebral palsy. He doesn't have much control over his body which results in many physical limitations. He was adopted from another country by this lovely woman and her husband but soon after his adoption, her husband passed away. So it's just Christopher and his mom.

As we walked towards their home I didn't know what to expect.

We knocked on their door and his mom answered the door and said quietly, “Christopher is so excited to see you two sisters, he has been waiting all day.”  We walked in the door and sat across from him at the kitchen table. He was in a wheelchair. His physical limitations were evident. But what was even more evident is the feeling he brought into the room. When he saw us his smile was ear to ear and he announced with excitement "I was waiting and waiting for you." Then he said "I was so excited for you to come see me, I couldn't even sleep!"

I was surprised at such a reaction, never have I gotten that as a missionary. Or even as a person back at home.  He didn't even know me!

We sat down at the table and began talking with him. From the minute I looked into his eyes I was completely blown away with the life he presented. His physical limitations did NOT define him.

The very first thing I learned about Christopher is that he is the happiest person I have ever met in my entire life.

I was completely humbled as we sat there that day playing Uno with him. He couldn't hold the cards up by himself so he asked for help. But he still enjoyed it. He was still happy, despite his difficulty. And he still won every game. He couldn't get out of his wheel chair and run to grab us water, but he still offered. He was such a sweet spirit. And was so happy to be alive. Amidst the trials or setbacks their family had encountered... He loved us, he loved himself and he loved life.

I only wish to be half the kind of person Christopher is!

I think when Christ asked us to become even as a child this is precisely what he was referring to. I feel like such an ignorant person.  So ungrateful compared to Christopher. I only wish to one day be able to be that happy and humble and full of love and genuine care for others.  No matter the circumstance. No matter my limitations, trials or setbacks.

I thought back on all the complaints, and dissatisfaction I've claimed to have had in my life. All the things I thought were important. All the ignorant people I hung around. All the obnoxious things I've said and done. All the people I may have offended, or that have offended me. I thought of a lot of things that have been a complete and utter waste of time.  I sat there staring at someone who brought a whole new perspective of a higher plane of living into my eyes.

Why can't we all be this happy? Humble? Loving? Forgiving?

Today we are all so easily angered, frustrated, bitter and point fingers and blame. We are prideful and vain and greedy and mean. We always seem to find flaws and faults in others. We seek offense and reasons to be upset.

What reason do we have to be upset or offended about? 
When there are others in the world struggling just as much or more than we are.  AND yet They are so full of love!

I was reminded countless times this week of the need to love. To forgive, to move on and to find joy.  Specifically I was reminded of each of our biggest setbacks and sometimes our most difficult task.


…the need to forgive.



I think the first time I ever had to learn to forgive somebody is when my brother Dylan was born. He was my first brother, first sibling, and first best friend. We tormented each other day and night from the first day he was born. Granted, by forgiving him… I mean my mom would make us give each other a hug and say we were sorry after we tackled each other on the living room floor for half an hour. I think we both got better at it as four more wonderful humans were born into the family. 



(Good at tackling, that is. ;)






Throughout my life forgiving people has seemed to be very repetitive. Whether it is my brothers, my friends, or my not so much friends. I mean let's be honest high school? College? Work? Relationships? Life? It doesn't always go exactly how you want it. And sometimes people hurt you, or offend you or get on your nerves.

Sometimes you simply have to be the bigger person.  Let things go. It happens all too often… I think. People are not perfect.  We are all different. We are not all bound to get along and agree with each other. However there has been one distinct moment in my life where I remember forgiving and forgetting did not come easy. Because it wasn't a little thing I could just let go. It was a big deal… to me.  It involved someone I really loved.

And I think that's the hardest part. I heard a saying once about how you can't hate someone without truly loving them first. Because let's face it if you weren't truly interested in this person you would let it go. But if you love them or admire them or have a strong tie to them and they hurt you...It hurts.

And it's not easy to forgive them.
I've felt that.

Looking back now on that experience, that hurt or offense or pain. I can see the bigger picture. Yes, this person hurt me. I felt I had a reason to be upset. And so I was! I was rude. I was ignorant. I was mean. and frankly I was miserable.

Until… I learned to look outside of myself.

I put myself in that persons shoes and saw their side of the story. In which I realized they were not the only one at fault in this situation. Rather I had a part to play in this game of offense. Who was most at fault? Well that's for The Lord to judge.

You see as I saw the whole play of things I wasn't exactly clear of offense either. Neither of us were guiltless. None of us ever are. Think about it. Does every action you do please people? Are you free from offense? Does everybody agree and applaud at what you say? Have you lived a life free from negative or derogatory comments? Does your social media promote happiness, joy, and positivity? Do you go out of your way every moment of your life to serve those around you and lift others up? Have you 100%  refrained from speaking ill of another? Do you avoid all gossip? Have you ever told a lie?

I can bet that nobody reading this is perfect in each and every one of those categories. The only perfect person who has never needed forgiveness from each of these is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The first step to forgiving others is to first look inside and understand that we ourselves are not free of fault. We ourselves are imperfect. And we ourselves need forgiveness. Don't point fingers. Don't find offense. Don't find someone to blame.

"It was our beloved Savior’s final night in mortality, the evening before He would offer Himself a ransom for all mankind. As He broke bread with His disciples, He said something that must have filled their hearts with great alarm and deep sadness. “One of you shall betray me,” He told them.

The disciples didn’t question the truth of what He said. Nor did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, “Is it him?”

Instead, “they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them

to say unto him, Lord, is it I?”

I wonder what each of us would do if we were asked that question by the Savior. Would we look at those around us and say in our hearts, “He’s probably talking about Brother Johnson. I’ve always wondered about him,” or “I’m glad Brother Brown is here. He really needs to hear this message”? Or would we, like those disciples of old, look inward and ask that penetrating question: “Is it I?”

In these simple words, “Lord, is it I?” lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to lasting change."

-President Uchtdorf

We seem to have this innate ability to see other peoples ills incredibly well. While forgetting or being unable to see our own.

Why is it that we so easily see others shortcomings and not our own? Or maybe it's because we are well aware of our shortcomings that we reason to point out the weaknesses in others? Why do we first point fingers and find somebody to blame? How does it make you feel when you've been the one whose been pointed at and blamed on?

As mortals…
We ALL have shortcomings.
None of us are perfect.
We are all in desperate need of help.
So why do we make it harder on others to receive forgiveness and understanding when we are in the same boat they are in?

Our individual circumstances may differ but each one of us is fighting our own independent battle, seeking for strength and guidance and truth and light. Welcoming warmth and redemption and salvation. We are each striving to find that eternal joy.

“Are we not all beggars? Don’t we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don’t we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? Don’t we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case? Little wonder that King Benjamin says we obtain a remission of our sins by pleading to God, who compassionately responds, but we retain a remission of our sins by compassionately responding to the 'poor' who plead to us."

-Elder Holland

How do we expect to receive forgiveness, mercy, help or remission for sins... from Christ, or anyone else, if we are not willing to do the same thing for those who have wronged us?

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
(Matthew 6:14-15)

It is little wonder, after the Savior of the world suffered every pain, heartache, and devastation in the garden and on the cross, some of his last words were…

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do"
(Luke 23:34)




Before
he said,




"It is finished."
(John 19:30)




Our Savior again set forth an example of what manner of men (or women) we ought to be. One of forgiveness, humility, charity and love. Because after all, Jesus Christ suffered what everyone of us have suffered put together.

I think it is safe to say that at some point in your life you may have been upset with another because they offended you. They lied to you. They may have flat out humiliated you! Maybe that someone gossiped about you, looked down on you, was unsupportive, or left you alone. Called you out, put you down, lied to your face.

And you feel you have every reason in the world to grudgingly despise them for the rest of your days.

Now take all of that,
And everything else this person may have done to you,
To offend you, hurt you, or bring you down.
Whether purposefully or not.




And add the following..




Be Beaten
Spit upon
Mocked
Scourged
Denied
Betrayed





And yet, while hanging on a cross full of pain and anguish, in the very moment of all this hurt Jesus Christ felt everything and said,






"Father, forgive them."






So. After that...
How can we forgive them not, that hurt us?

And even more, when you are just as much a beggar for forgiveness and
mercy as those who may have wronged you.

We can't control how people act, what they say, who they are.
But We can control our part.
We can't control if people choose to be upset, bitter, hard hearted or unforgiving.
But We can control our part.

My very wise father said to me this past week via email of course

"I truly believe that when we are full of hate, anger, resentment and hard feelings we stop progressing spiritually. I also believe that Jesus Christ forgave those who hurt him to manifest his complete love. And that's what this life really is all about. Is burning out hatred with love."

Heaven is filled with those who have been forgiven and those who forgive.

Heaven is filled with people like Christopher who love despite their
circumstances.


The world today seems to teach us to cut out our enemies.
To hold grudges against our foes.
To bight back at those who you disagree with.
To get revenge.
To be jealous.
To be vain.
Prideful.
Tough.
Cruel.





SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

{ugh science}






How about right here and now we each discover a way where we can burn
out hatred with love. After all, isn't that what this life is all about?

"We must put aside our pride, see beyond our vanity, and in humility

ask, “Lord, is it I?”

And if the Lord’s answer happens to be “Yes, there are things you must

improve, things I can help you to overcome,” I pray that we will accept this answer, humbly acknowledge our sins and shortcomings, and then change our ways by becoming better.

As we do so, our bountiful God will lead us by the hand; it starts with our asking the simple question:

Lord, is it I?”

-President Uchtdorf

I'm not perfect
None of us are


But I KNOW as we strive to follow our Savior
We will learn to love more fully

To rid our lives of hatred
And fill it with love.

I want to become the kind of person Christ described as he asked us to
become as a child.
I want to become the kind of person that loves and forgives and finds
joy, despite my circumstances.

Like Christopher and his wonderful attitude towards life.
I admire that so much.

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I love my Savior
And I love this opportunity I have to make a difference,
To share this gospel,
And to change.


Love Always,
S. Stucki













P.S. My companion thought I might add (after you've had this spiritual
pause, reflection, and application and are ready to move on...) this
quick note from the genius words of
T. Swift 2014

"Haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate, just shake it off."©

No I have not heard this new album. Yes I found it applicable. 
Swift is always applicable.
This is how I survive training. Live news feed = Sister Todd
7 more months folks.


(Share this post with friends via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter &/or
Instagram! Just copy paste the above link ??)

Sent from my iPad
(November 10, 2014)