"We do know that we know Him"

Happy Monday family and friends!

We had a pretty good week this week. Last Saturday we were able to teach Edjohn and nanay Maria Fe the Word of Wisdom. After that, we played basketball with Edjohn at the church. He came to church and we are hoping to baptize him on the 31st, or the first week of April.

We found a 75 year old man named Jaime that used to be a gangster in Manila, and then moved his gang to Olongapo. We sat and he talked for a good 30 minutes about his youth, which was pretty interesting. We then taught him and his grandkids the first couple principles of the Restoration. We taught about our Heavenly Father and about families. We then gave a brief overview of the rest of the lesson and said we'd explain it more when we came back. Tatay Jaime sure has some smart grand kids because they were asking all sorts of questions. We're hoping to teach them again this week.

So there is a music/hot air balloon festival this Saturday IN OUR AREA and every famous Filipino singer is going to be there. We're talking Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, Moire dela torre, and Ex Batallion. Who would think such a thing would go down in Lubao, Pampanga? We're literally in the middle of nowhere. Anyways I'm guessing there are going to be heaps of people coming out of the bushes to see that. I hope we'll be able to teach some people!

I am so thankful for the time that I get everyday to study the scriptures. I came across a really beautiful verse that I had never heard before this week during my personal study. 1 John 2:3.

 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

I've been pondering about that for most of the week. Before my mission, and even on my mission I always wondered what it meant to "know" the Lord, and if I would ever be able to wholeheartedly say that I have come to know my Savior. I soon realized when I got to the mission field how much I was forced to rely on Him. Through my trials, and obedience to the commandments I've grown substantially closer to Him. There are countless blessings attached with obedience to the commandments. Not only are we promised that we will come to know our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ but there is another blessing that we can find in Mosiah chapter 2:

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

I know that we have a Heavenly Father that is aware of our needs, and a Savior that has suffered all so that we can return to live with them one day. I am so thankful for the love I have felt from my Heavenly Father as I have striven to serve Him these last 20 months. Obedience shows and strengthens faith, brings blessings, and brings us closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior. I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week!

-Elder Furniss

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