Let It Go

So this week was all about the atonement......mainly for myself...not those I was teaching. I had a LOT of crummy stuff happen and I was just miserable!

For those of you who know me, you know that I hardly ever cry.......maybe 2...3 times a year? And when I do, it's usually because I'm mad....and then I cry and get even MORE mad that I'm crying.....and it gets real messy.

But man, this week.......I don't think I've ever cried SO much in 1 week in my whole life! It was awful!

But anyhoo, on Monday before Sister McKinney (my soul mate who I've known since the pre-mortal existence) left for full-field, she was really upset too. And she told me the advice her companion had given her and I decided to try it.

I wrote down on a piece of paper EVERY feeling that I was feeling. And it was a lot. Mostly things like "frustrated, singled-out, sad, blamed, embarrassed, un-supported, stomped-on".....the list went on for a good 30-40 words. And I really thought about every word and every feeling. And before I did it, while I was doing it, and after I did it, I was praying, and asking Heavenly Father to PLEASE help me to get rid of all these feeling. I knew my problems weren't gonna go away, but I couldn't go on feeling what I was feeling. I'm a missionary! It's my job to be HAPPY, so others can feel the spirit!

And I just prayed and prayed and prayed and asked Heavenly Father's help, and I realized as I was writing them I didn't quite feel so overwhelmed any more. I wasn't feeling so depressed and weighed-down. Sad? Yes. But not all of those negative things. Then after I wrote them I ripped up the paper and threw it away. Because all of those feelings are swallowed up in the Atonement. All of them. And I just decided I was going to be happy. :) And it worked!

That's it. that's the key. To really let things go. Not have Christ take them away (Him take away my paper, or my problems) but to let them go and give them to the Lord. (Ripping it up and throwing it away in the trash) It's really hard. And pride is involved a lot. Because I even had the stupid thought come in my head that I didn't want to throw it away because I took all that time to write it down! *facepalm. Satan is so sneaky. It's just a stupid piece of paper and I couldn't have those things in my life anymore!

Just let it go. Let Christ swallow up your misery in the atonement. That doesn't mean your problems are going to go away. But at least you'll be able to stand strong and face those challenges with spirit because you are happy and you've armed yourself with faith.

Keep reading the Book of Mormon. Keep praying. And keep working hard. I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Sister Bradley

P.S. For transfers I was put online! So I'll be the missionary that answers the Mormon.org chats for 2 whole transfers! Tell all your friends to go on Mormon.org if they have any questions and are curious about the gospel!

I've already seen amazing miracles with people who felt a draw and pull to this church and they didn't know why! Needless to say I had an excellent time explaining why they felt that way ;)

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