Hey y'all,
How y'all doing today? Its an amazing day here today... I just want y'all to know that I love you :)
So hopefully I'll get to a short message today but I have to tell you about serving here in down-town Atlanta... its AMAZING! One funny note though... President Harding invited all us missionaries to go mountain climbing with him after the mission, so make a reminder note for me to do that :)
Anyways... where do I start? Blessed/dedicating apartments? Living a few blocks away from the Bank of America tower? Helping our neighbor out at church while he had a seizure? The chapel... which has a carpet basketball floor? The tradition of saying "good morning" when starting a talk and having the entire group relpy in unison with a "good morning"? My pants tearing getting into the car? Being hugged by a big huge guy with no shirt on? Crazy down town driving? Where do I start????? Haha. Hopefully that gives you a small tid-bit of an idea of how AMAZING it is to be serving here in down-town ATL.... seriously the most unique place in the world. So many stories to tell y'all... maybe I'll save them all until I get back and we'll have one big story telling time. Don't worry, I keep a good journal :)
One thing I wanted to talk about today is aligning yourselves with the Lord. Its been very clear during my short time here that its vitally important to do things the Lords way. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well, it is.... however, we're often times losing sight of that vision.... losing sight of that path and wandering off on our own. Its a straight and narrow path... but its straight. Luckily, we've been blessed with guides (Holy Ghost, prayer, etc.)... but so often we forget and we stop doing those (take a guess) small and simple things and we go off track.
The Savior is coming... this work is laying the foundations for His arrival... and we HAVE to be prepared. We have to prepare ourselves and others for His glorious return... and we have to do so His way. Small and simple ways. Take things one day at a time.... one moment at a time... and always ask yourself "Is this what the Lord wants? Is this the Lords way?" Look to Him in every thought, action, decision, etc...
We're all on a climb... we're all trying to reach the top. Its slow going and often very hard... but we've been given those guides to lead us there and we've been given the tools to make it there safe. ALL OF US will make it there if we follow those guides and use those tools... now we just have to do it. Just do it. No fear, no doubt... you follow the Lord and NOTHING will stop you from making it there. One step at a time... following in His foot-steps... just keep doing it! Just keep going! He loves you... He won't allow you to fail. Do it. Make it there. Take that next step. No fear! Full faith... you're divine! Align yourselves on this path... on this journey.... follow Him. Do it and you'll be led to the top of the mountain and beyond. I promise and testify to you that you will not fail if you do things the Lords way... and if you falter, if you trip up, if you've done everything you can do and just feel like you can't take that next step up the mountain... He'll carry you. He loves you.
Again, sorry this is short but things are happening here and we gotta get moving! But...
I love you. Y'all are amazing. Just keep climbing. Just keep doing it. Don't stop. Have faith and keep going! We're here for you.... all of us. I love you all.
-Elder Wahlen
Mark also wrote Tracy this email, and she thought others would enjoy it...
Mom,
So... my new area is Atlanta West. I'm the new Zone Leader for.... (wait for it) DOWN TOWN ATLANTA! Holy smokes... its awesome!! We live literally a few blocks down from the Bank of America tower. ITS AWESOME!!! My new companion is Elder Vargus... he's been the zone leader here for 9 months and this is his last transfer until he goes home. He's a big tall black guy from Brooklyn, NY. He's amazing. He's having me do everything so I can get use to it before he goes since I'll be taking over completely so I'm doing everything as a zone leader already which is great. I love being thrown straight into the fire... its been great.
Gotta run so I can email everyone but I love you tons. Things are seriously going sooo good. Have never been happier on my mission.
Love you,
Elder Wahlen
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