A Time For A Change

I've been in Madera, California, for a quarter of my mission. I'm so absolutely grateful for all of the people that I've been able to meet and grow close relationships with. But like all good things, they must come to an end.

I'll be leaving for Sanger, California, and will be in a trio! I will be training again! I think I might be finishing someone else's training and getting another brand-new missionary. I'll tell you more about my companions in my next email. I'm not going to lie... I feel inadequate to train haha. I feel like I didn't do very well training these past two transfers. I tend to be prideful and only like things my way, and if they're not my way, it's not as cool or efficient. But that's not how it works with companions. You have to work with them, or the work will NOT be efficient. Nevertheless, I'm excited to learn to lean more on my Savior and my companions and learn to be more humble and trusting.

I've had the chance to go to Yosemite National Park! Wow, it was gorgeous. I would definitely love to visit again with my family or friends one day. I don't recall ever going on an actual hike before. It was fun! Jamie Hansen was a blast!

I think one thing I've learned this week is grace. We often think grace only kicks in after we’ve given OUR best effort, then Jesus fills in the rest. So why does the Savior ask for our best effort? Maybe He does, but we think He asks for our best effort for the wrong reason. Jesus already paid the debt, in FULL. We're not working our hardest to pay Jesus back... we never could. We try our best in the sense that we love Jesus, and His grace will change us. It's kind of like a mother paying for her child to learn to play piano. The child can't pay the piano teacher because the mother already did. All the mother asks is the child to practice. The child might get frustrated when he or she keeps messing up and says, "I can't do this!" The great Mediator asks for our repentance not because we must "repay" Him in exchange for His paying our debt to justice, but because repentance initiates a developmental process that, with the Savior’s help, leads us along the path to a saintly character. The repenting sinner does feel pain and anguish for their sins, but the suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment. Its purpose is CHANGE. I still don't fully understand grace, but I do know we severely devalue the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This grace and change are essential to prepare us to become more heavenly and ultimately more comfortable in the presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. You are worthy of the love of God, and the more you learn your identity as a child of a loving Heavenly Father, the more you will come to know how precious you are.

Also, this week we had General Conference, which is where the Prophets, Apostles, and other General leaders of our church speak and share messages about Jesus Christ. I loved it this week, and I'd love to hear your favorite talks and why they're your favorite! I also really appreciate emails and letters when I get them! I read them all!

As I reflect and write, I'm filled with love. I love all of you so much. I'm thankful for all the support I receive from y’all.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TJ69KxoDsiQe4Phz5

With much love and excitement,
Elder Benjamin Berry






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