The One with the Oxen

Hello Fam! 

It really was so amazing to get to see you guys on Mother’s Day! JUST what I needed! 

This week has been busy, busy, BUSY! We have been in Munich for 3 days of it because of our Stake Conference and our Zone Conference! 

Stake Conference was so amazing! Our Stake president talked about the 12 oxen that we see under each of the baptismal fonts in the temple. He said, now when you ask people what those stand for they always say, "For the 12 tribes of Israel", but then I ask them, "Ya, but why oxen, why not geese or lions or some other random animal"? Well I am sure there may be a doctrinal answer to that somewhere, but what he said that hit me really hard was that they are working animals. They are known for their brute strength in getting hard things done. He talked about how it is a beautiful symbol that the 12 tribes are WORKING for the salvation of man. The weight of that font (the salvation of others) is upon their backs as they work together. That beautiful load is on each and everyone’s back and it is our privilege to hold it! We are built for this work! 

I know how scary missionary work can be and I know that it is even harder for a member than for a full time missionary. We often feel like others could do it much better than us. We know we aren't perfect, so we shun away. I looked this quote from that book we are reading. He said,

“Too many of us are saying to ourselves, "When I've done it, when I've perfected myself, when I've made myself completely righteous, then I'll be worthy of the Atonement. Then Christ can do his work and exalt me." But this will never happen, for it puts the cart before the horse. It's like saying, "When my tumor is gone, then I'll call the doctor.  I'll be ready for him then." This is not how things are designed to work either in medicine or in the gospel. "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." (Matt. 9:12)

It’s like saying, I will do missionary work when I am a perfect missionary. THAT DOESNT WORK! We just have to get going and rely on the atonement when we mess up, when we say the wrong words, when we come off pushy, when we couldn’t muster the courage to open our mouths. The atonement has got you covered! He will be the doctor that will change our imperfections! 

I love you all and I pray you have a great week! 

Love, JJ

Randoms:

- it has rained all week, but I have LOVED it! I love being in the rain and smelling the fresh air! It even makes our finding more enjoyable!

- We have met SOOO many insanely sweet Catholics this week! They just fill my heart!

- At zone conference I ran into a Sister Newcomb and I told her the only Newcomb that I knew was an Elder Newcomb that served in Cottonwood a couple years ago that I remembered joint teaching with! Turns out it was his little sister!