June 13, 2011

Hola,

Found a new apartment! Here's our address:

C/ Gonzalo Nuñez de Sepúlveda Nº1, 2ºD
41009 Sevilla, Sevilla
España

We had a fantastic week. There are so many things that we can learn and feel and know. Then, we have to opportunity to put those things into practice, to do them. These are experiences that help us grow and change and progress.

This Sunday, the 19th, is Father's Day! I love and appreciate you Dad. You were the first Elder Fagersten, and there are two more Elder Fagerstens serving as full-time missionaries right now. You have always taught me, through example more than words, about hard work and dedicated service. I remember so many instances that you would remind us of how important our time is and that we would do well to use it wisely. That counsel has taken new and added meaning while I have served as a missionary. This week will also mark one year since I began this mission and it has gone quickly, but I have learned a lot, and hope to change and improve in this year that I have left.

Our lives are easier, they are better, and we are happier when we accept and do the Lord's will. It is more difficult to fight that inner battle between obeying and not obeying than it is to surrender our will to His. I used the word "surrender" but it is in fact a victory, a victory over pride, temptation, selfishness and the natural man. It is a victory over our adversary and those who follow him when we "surrender" our will to the Lord's, give our hearts to Him, and are willing to know, do, and become what He would have us know, do and become. It is in fact easier to obey than it is to resist and fight and battle within ourselves. We know that "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (1 Nephi 3:7).

He has prepared the way. The Savior said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). We follow Him. It is His will that we are happy, and that we have "eternal life" (2 Nephi 2:27-28). Through His atonement, we can be healed, we can change, and we can know, do and become all those things that will give us "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (D&C 59:23).

I know He lives. It is an honor and a privilege to bear witness of Him, to be His representative, and bring the world His truth. He leads this work. He leads this Church. Joseph Smith was the prophet He called to be the instrument by which He would restore His church and His authority. Because of that, we are able to perform and participate in all the ordinances and covenants of life and salvation.

I love all of you so very much, and I know He loves you even more!

Love,
Elder Fagersten