On the Road Sept. 1, 2014

This was a pretty interesting week. President had interviews with the missionaries in the bottom half of our mission and also a District Conference in 순천 in the south, so we ended up leaving Daejeon on Tuesday and we didn't get back until Sunday evening. I think my favorite part was just spending time with some of my favorite missionaries in the south! I was able to go on splits in both Chungjang and in Gwangyang, my last two areas, which was fun. It's crazy that it's been a whole year since I was there. I was happy to see the members there, especially the ones who were happy to see me.

I was also able to get an appointment with 조병수 (Byung-Soo Jo), the taxi driver who was baptized about 6 months ago in Chungjang! He is still having a hard time because he works SO much, but he admitted himself that he feels like his faith is deepening and he feels more and more the need to keep attending church even if his schedule doesn't really allow much time for anything more than that. He also usually brings his 7 year old son (who is crazy and extremely energetic) and he mentioned that if he has a hard time getting up for church his son will even sometimes say "Dad! What are you doing? We have to go to church!" It's so amazing to see that the faith of one father is making the beginning changes that could change the lives of generations! 

I think one of my favorite scriptures of the week is Alma 37:34, which says "Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls." In the wisdom of the world, I feel like this phrase just wouldn't make much sense. In order to find rest we need to work? How can that be true? Even though it may seem a bit paradoxical, I can testify that it is absolutely true. We live in a pretty frenzied world where it can often feel like everything is too fast, too loud, too unstable, too fragile, too stressful, and too close to falling all apart. We might feel like we are balancing a hundred different tasks, responsibilities, and expectations, always worrying that at any moment it might all come tumbling down. But if we stop to ask the question "Where can I turn for peace?" we will find that the answer is very simple. Christ has provided a promise that if we follow Him and rely on Him, everything will work out! As Alma counseled, if we are humble enough to look beyond ourselves, to never weary in reaching out our hand to love, bless, and serve, then He can take care of the rest and He can provide true "rest." I know this gospel is true and I know that this is God's work! He truly knows and loves each of us! 

Thank you for all being wonderful! Have a wonderful week! 

Love, Elder Tolman