Hello Happy: "God's love encompasses us completely!" 1/116/17

Brooke's contact info:

brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net

Ice skating on P-day

Quote for the week:

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.” - Dieter F Uchtdorf

I have been taught my whole life that I am a Child of God and that my Heavenly Father loves me. I have known that forever now. Out here on the mission, I have not only been reminded of that, but have sincerely FELT it - personally and for others around me. He knows and loves each and every one of His children and it’s a love that we will never be able to fully understand. I am so thankful for the testimony I have received of this and for the opportunity I have to help the Hungarian people find comfort and safety in God’s love.

Well, this week was a busy one! We were in Budapest for Zone Training and then Szombathely for splits. After zone training, Smith Nővér and I accidentally got on the wrong train and found ourselves lost in the middle of nowhere at 9:00pm. Oh those mission adventures! So glad I have the most amazing and patient companion that can laugh with me as we try to use Hungarian transportation! And for President Szabadkai who came to the rescue and helped us get home to Győr, hehe… If I can get around this country, I feel like I can pretty much do anything!

Getting Lost!!

One of my favorite moments from the week was in a lesson with one of the less-actives here. We read and talked about one of my FAVORITE conference talks from President Uchtdorf called “He will place you on His shoulders and carry you home”. It talks about the parable of the lost sheep and how we are all worthy of rescue. This woman needed to hear this message at that moment and it was lead by the Spirit and I can’t even put into words how much I love being a missionary! And the best feeling was seeing her walk into the church building on Sunday after not attending for quite some time. Sometimes all it takes is a little reminder that the Lord is there and loves you. And just as it said in the talk, “Just as the Good Shepherd finds His lost sheep, if you will only lift up your heart to the Savior, He will find you. He will rescue you. He will lift you up and place you on His shoulders. sHe will carry you home.”

I know this statement is true. I have had my own moment of feeling lost and alone. But with the power of prayer, the weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I am reminded of who I am and what it is I’m doing here. I have felt the Lord’s joy and happiness when one of His sheep makes the brave decision to come back to church. There is going to come a time in everyone’s lives where we are going to have to turn to the Good Shepherd. But I promise He will save us. This was a little more spiritual letter, but I am a missionary and that’s all I know.