Dec 26, 2011

Mom,

This is our president’s email today. I wanted to send it to you because it was so good.

Journey of Life

Life's journey is not a freeway devoid of obstacles, traps and snares. In fact, it is a pathway marked by forks and returns. We constantly make decisions. To do this wisely, we need courage: the courage to say "no", the courage to say "yes." Decisions determine our future. We are constantly urged to be brave. It was ever thus, and always will be. The courage of a military leader was recorded by a young infantry officer who wore the gray uniform of the Confederacy during the Civil War. He describes the influence of General J. E. B. Stuart in these words: "At a critical point of the battle, he pointed out to the enemy and shouted: 'Forward, men. Forward! Come after me! 'With courage and determination they [followed] as a raging torrent, and the goal was achieved and maintained. "Before that, in a distant land, another leader made the same request: "Follow me." 2 He was not an army general. In fact, he was the Prince of Peace, the Son of God. Those who followed the time and those who follow today's win a victory far more important, that has eternal consequences. The need for courage is constant. The holy scriptures portray the evidence of this fact. Joseph, the son of Jacob, the same who was sold into Egypt, showed the resolve of courage when faced Potiphar's wife, who tried to seduce him, saying: "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God ? And he hearkened not to him (...) left out. " In our day, a father applied this example of courage to the lives of their children by saying, "If they see we are not where they should be, get out of there!" How can we not to feel inspired by the life of the 2,000 stripling warriors of Helaman that taught and demonstrated the need for courage to follow the teachings of parents, the courage to be chaste and pure? Maybe all these stories culminate with the example of Moroni, who had the courage to persevere to the end in righteousness. All we are strengthened by the words of Moses: "Be courageous, and cheer up your hearts, do not fear (...) because the Lord thy God is with you what will, will not leave you nor forsake you." He did not leave. Do not fail them. Do not let them down. Nor the sweet assurance forsake that can guide us all in our time, in our day in our lives. Of course we will face fear, ridicule and opposition. Have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval. Courage becomes a living and attractive because it is considered not only as a willingness to die with honor, but a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh at him. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face the fear with dignity are also courageous. Big hug for everyone.

Ok so it was awesome talking with you guys this week. Loved it! Can’t wait till May. But there are some things I forgot to tell you. First I have officially eaten Piranha head, the fish. I don’t think I spelled it right. (He didn’t, I fixed it!) Second, last week we were walking through mud and the next thing I know my leg is knee deep in mud. I was like nooooooo. Ya but I loved seeing you guys and I miss you but that’s alright and it’s alright that Tanner wasn’t home. I will pray for the Cleveland’s. We are just having a great time here and we are going to clean are house today a lot because new missionaries are coming this week. O I’ve gained like 4 kilos what the freak this means I’m going to have to start working out!

Elder Pellegrini