Dear Family and Friends,
Oh alright, we did a lot more than what the title states. But I will get to that later.
To start I really wanted to share what I've pulled from Leviticus this week. Now I know there are a lot of you saying "ehh, its just a list of instructions and unimportant stuff", or you could have been like me and say "Maybe I could just skip and be ok". Nevertheless I decided just to try it. To give you a better description of this book, it focuses on the sacrifices and offerings that the Isrealites were commanded to do, and for what circumstances they were to be used in. But the things I have learned from it really help me understand the Atonement a lot better. Here is one of my favorites from Chapter 14 (I think). This chapter talks about the "cleansing" offering to be given by healed lepers. They have to kill one bird and mix its blood with water, and with cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop dip it in the blood and let it free. It seems like a really weird thing to do (and messy) but from a little research this is what I learned. The two represent the natural man, and man of God. When they kill the first bird it represents the killing of the "natural man" within us. Cedar wood is a symbol of preventing one from spiritual decay from sin, so when dipped in the blood its to show that after repentance, we are safe from the poisoning effects of our sins. When they release the second bird its to show that when cleansed we are free from the burden of sin. I will let you do the rest. But it showed me how much the Atonement reaches. It not only cleanses but prevents. Not only removes but restores. By fully repenting we should feel as though we can move farther, and if we gave our burden to the Lord we should feel lighter on our feet. It also shows how we use the past to teach us to avoid the bad, and to keep us from doing it again. Like Elder Holland once said that the past is there to teach, but not a place to dwell.
Earlier today we went to little place on the coast of our mission called Atong Falls. I think it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Its one of those places that the water is clear enough to see the bottom. And for me and a few others, clean enough to drink from (Yes, I'm still alive, I'm positive that I will be fine). If anyone wants to visit with me after the mission we can also go swimming (after being released of course!).
I also had a bit of adventure with my bike. I was riding down a hill and I was going a little fast to I decided to slow down (Safety First right?). I forgot which one was the back brake so instead I used to front one. Now if you're not much into physics let me tell you, front brakes don't work well going downhill. I ended flipping the whole bike forward, but I was strangely able to jump from the bike and run into a bush/tree with only scuff marks and dirty pants.
Its always an adventure here! I love you all!
Mahal ko kayo lahat!
Elder Trevor Kent Johnson (TWMYK)
Oh alright, we did a lot more than what the title states. But I will get to that later.
To start I really wanted to share what I've pulled from Leviticus this week. Now I know there are a lot of you saying "ehh, its just a list of instructions and unimportant stuff", or you could have been like me and say "Maybe I could just skip and be ok". Nevertheless I decided just to try it. To give you a better description of this book, it focuses on the sacrifices and offerings that the Isrealites were commanded to do, and for what circumstances they were to be used in. But the things I have learned from it really help me understand the Atonement a lot better. Here is one of my favorites from Chapter 14 (I think). This chapter talks about the "cleansing" offering to be given by healed lepers. They have to kill one bird and mix its blood with water, and with cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop dip it in the blood and let it free. It seems like a really weird thing to do (and messy) but from a little research this is what I learned. The two represent the natural man, and man of God. When they kill the first bird it represents the killing of the "natural man" within us. Cedar wood is a symbol of preventing one from spiritual decay from sin, so when dipped in the blood its to show that after repentance, we are safe from the poisoning effects of our sins. When they release the second bird its to show that when cleansed we are free from the burden of sin. I will let you do the rest. But it showed me how much the Atonement reaches. It not only cleanses but prevents. Not only removes but restores. By fully repenting we should feel as though we can move farther, and if we gave our burden to the Lord we should feel lighter on our feet. It also shows how we use the past to teach us to avoid the bad, and to keep us from doing it again. Like Elder Holland once said that the past is there to teach, but not a place to dwell.
Earlier today we went to little place on the coast of our mission called Atong Falls. I think it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Its one of those places that the water is clear enough to see the bottom. And for me and a few others, clean enough to drink from (Yes, I'm still alive, I'm positive that I will be fine). If anyone wants to visit with me after the mission we can also go swimming (after being released of course!).
I also had a bit of adventure with my bike. I was riding down a hill and I was going a little fast to I decided to slow down (Safety First right?). I forgot which one was the back brake so instead I used to front one. Now if you're not much into physics let me tell you, front brakes don't work well going downhill. I ended flipping the whole bike forward, but I was strangely able to jump from the bike and run into a bush/tree with only scuff marks and dirty pants.
Its always an adventure here! I love you all!
Mahal ko kayo lahat!
Elder Trevor Kent Johnson (TWMYK)