Lessons from the Grove

Well...I'm HOME!!!

The New York Rochester Mission 

and the people there...

 will FOREVER have my heart.

^^^This is my favorite tree in the sacred grove. ^^^

You are probably wondering why because it obviously isn't standing anymore..but that is why I love it so much! This tree is filled with wonderful life lessons that taught me more than I imagined I could ever learn from a fallen tree.

Over the past two years as I have gone through the process of deciding to serve a mission, getting my call, leaving to New York and coming home, I've thought a lot about the little things that the Lord placed in my life to get me where I am today. Right before the missionary age change was made, the Mormon Tabernacle choir sang "How Firm a Foundation." When they sang that song, I was just slapped by the Spirit. I remember thinking about my parents and church leaders and what incredible examples they were to me of having a firm foundation in Christ and helping others build their foundation. I just wanted to be awesome like them! Then the epic announcement was made, I knew Heavenly Father's plan for me was a mission and I was pumped to go!

My first day in the mission field, my mission President brought us to this tree. This particular tree was one of the largest in the grove but it fell because it hadn't dug its roots deep. He went on to tell us that not only had this tree fallen, but so many other trees were taken down by it as well. My Mission President then reminded us how important it was that our roots were deep in the gospel so that we could stand strong and also so we could help those around us stand strong. 

Heavenly Father has given us such a powerful promise in Helaman 5:12 that Christ is the foundation if whom we build upon we "cannot fall." For me, this fallen tree is a reminder of how badly Satan doesn't want us to build a strong foundation in Christ or to dig our roots deep in the gospel. He wants us to fall! What a punk. But Satan can't get us to tumble down or fall when we are building our foundation on Christ. It is a constant effort every single day! I'm definitely not perfect at it, but Heavenly Father is so merciful and helps me everyday. 

I love this gospel so much! Jesus Christ is my best friend and I'm so grateful that He let me have such an epic mission experience! Life is crazy, busy, awkward, great, hard and fun but no matter what comes in life I know that I don't need to fear because with Christ I CANNOT fall.