Mission Memoirs : Week 34: The Red Bar

Hello! I want to tell a story so here it goes.

On Friday, we went and did some yard work for a member in our ward. She asked if either of us wanted to mow the lawn and I said I would be happy to! So I did. And for some reason it was really hard and really heavy. Heavier than any other lawn mower I'd ever used before and I felt like a wimp. But they have a pretty big yard! I could tell I was getting blisters on my hands, but I just kept on going. Once I got to the very end of the yard, their son came and lifted up a red bar that was on the handle. I asked what it did, and he said it made it so that I wouldn't have to push it! I then finished the last two strips of grass in about a minute. It made my little journey so easy! Afterwards, I tried to be like my dad and Brother Decker and find a way to relate it to the gospel. Here's what I came up with:

The red bar is like the Atonement. Whether or not I used it, it was there. It was there to make my load easier. It was there to assist me, and to even push me forward when things got hard. As soon as I used the bar, everything became much easier and I wasn't as miserable in the hot humid sun. That is exactly what the Atonement is there for-- Whether or not we know it is there, whether or not we use it, it is there. I didn't know that that red bar was there, and I didn't know of the power that it had in easing my burdens. But once I learned of it and used it, I was happier. Likewise, there are many who aren't aware that they have a Savior. Someone who has died for them and taken upon Himself their imperfections, weaknesses, sadnesses and infirmities. I have felt the power of the Atonement in my life in numerous ways, and I know that it is real. It has allowed me to be happy, to become better, and to grow. And that is why I decided to serve a mission. To teach others about the "red bar" that is there, but they don't know about or aren't sure how to access it so that they, like me, can experience the enabling power of Christ's Atonement. So there you go. It's kind of silly, but I liked it.

Transfers are this week, and I'm actually leaving my first area this time. I think I cried more after church yesterday than when I left my last church my last Sunday in Auburn. Either that's a really good thing, or really bad thing... I don't know. But I didn't think I would be so sad to leave! I really love the Kirtland ward.

I have been called to serve as a Sister Training Leader. I'm still not sure which area I'll be over, but President called last night to ask if I'd do that. Of course, I said yes. If you want to know how I'm feeling, go ahead and read Elder Trentman's letter from a few weeks ago. He summed it up perfectly.

It was so nice speaking with you guys last night! It went by too fast. But I love you all and hope you are having a wonderful week. :)

Love,

Sister Livingston