June 27, 2022 "A Great Fight of Afflictions"

 Hey everyone! Sorry it's been awhile. I moved into the Fontanelle apartments of North Omaha and it's been a wild ride.

To catch you up: we moved into an area that hadn't had some success for awhile. Historically their relationship with missionaries, especially sisters, has been the worst in the mission. To top it off, we got bedbugs and I found out I was allergic to them just in time to be introduced to an apostle of the Lord.

This week our apartments AC and washing machine broke so we've been living in front of our box fan and not touching the oven unless it's absolutely necessary. It's permanently about 84 degrees in our apartment right now.

We had some crazy stories happen. One of the older sisters in our ward called us bawling and told us that her husband had cheated on her. We drove right over and for the next three hours tried to coordinate between the Relief Society and this dear Sister who was really struggling and comfort her because she had no one else. 

Afterwards, our district leader called us and chewed us out for getting involved with conflicts between members. I told him that if there was a woman crying and asking me to come over, then I would. He wasn't very happy about that and I pulled out a verse in doctrine and Covenants 121: 36 and 37 and we talked about what the powers of heaven are supposed to be used for. I don't think he likes me alot anymore. 

On the side of miracles:

We had three of our friends come to church! 

Chloe, a young woman that had been baptized about two months ago but hadn't been able to come to church was confirmed!

We found some really cool people who were interested in a message about Jesus Christ as we were out knocking on some of our friends doors. 

Our box fan fell over and broke BUT they had another one that we could pick up from the temple so we got to go in the temple for a second!

I've been thinking a lot about Hebrews 10. In verses 32 through 39 it reads:

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

   33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

   34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

   35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

   36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

   37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

   38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

   39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Sometimes there will be hard times in our life, but we can look around us and remember our former days. Bad times and hard times come, but so do the good. And the God who has made Covenants with us in the past does not forget those Covenants. He keeps all of his promises. 

I love y'all tons! 

Sister Brice