🚙 Clarksville, MD

 Hola a todos! I hope this last week for each of you has been amazing. It certainly has been a wonderful week for me. As you can see by the title, we got transfer news on Saturday and I will go to serve in Clarksville, MD this Wednesday. I can't epress to you the love I feel for Hagerstown and the people here. I've learned so much in so little time and the last thing I want to do is leave all the wonderful people I've met in this area. This is probably going to be the hardest goodbye of my entire mission thus far. 

     Every time I arrive at a monumental change in my mission, I think about the experiences, lessons, harships, and people who have gotten me here. I want to thank each of you for your continued support and love for me as I've grown, failed, and experienced over the last 17 months. It takes a while, but I see how little by little the Lord is changing me. And whether you realize it or not, I know He is changing you too, little by little. 

     As I have continued to read through the New Testament, I have marveled at the boldness, power, and success of Peter and John's ministry in the beginning of the book of Acts. Wouldn't we all want to have the influence and power of the primitive chief apostle? "Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them." (Acts 5:15). When I think about the incredible influence he had, I think about the crowning interactiion with the Savior that sparked such a ministry. We turn back a couple chapters to John 21, one of my favorite chapters in all of scripture. After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter, in what must have been an ignorant act of not knowing what to do, turns back to fishing. The disciples fish all night with no success. Nada. The Savior of the world makes an appearance to them on the shore and commands that they throw the net over the opposite side of the boat. As you well remember, they can't pull the catch in because of the quantity of fish. Upon recognizing who it was on the shore, Peter throws himself over the side and starts swimming. When the disciples finally arrive on shore, Christ begins this little interaction with Peter. He asks him: "Lovest thou me?" The Savior repeats the question three times in total, asking Peter if he truly loves Him more than these. More than his boat and his nets. More than his comfort. more than what he has been doing. Peter says "I do." I do love thee. More than anything. And to that response the Messiah says then "feed my sheep." And that is the moment Peter became the great apostle as we know him today. And the same question is proposed to each and every one of us. Do you love Him? More than anything? More than your job, your family, your sport, your house, your car, your friends, and your comfort? I testify to you my dear brothers and sisters that you cannot go where you have to go and become who you have to become unless you love Him. Leave your nets. It will never ever be the same again. You are a disciple and representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and you cannot and will not accomplish the fullness of your role in His kingdom unless you love Him. Leave your nets. Christ had to ask Peter a second time to leave his nets. Don't make Christ ask you again to leave behind whatever it is that is holding you back from your great potential. I promise that as you strive to prayerfully leave behind your nets, the Lord your God will bless you with more blessings than you could ever imagine possible. You will find a greater purpose and meaning to your life and feel the presence of the Holy Ghost as you strive to carry out His great purposes. I love you. He loves you. Leave your nets and follow Him.