May 20, 2019 Another transfer..still in Sudbury...Lessons on comparing

Well it's a new transfer, but still with the same companion from West Africa. Work is still going super great. Grateful as I was able to help baptize a lady in our zone because they needed an extra priesthood holder. Well something I found super interesting that we talked about yesterday in church was the parable of the labours in the vineyard (Matthew 20). I for sure have heard it lots and have even read through it but this time it really made me think. In regards to this parable there was an extremely amazing talk about it by Elder Holland "First of all it is important to note that no one has been treated unfairly here. The first workers agreed to the full wage of the day, and they received it. Furthermore, they were, I can only imagine, very grateful to get the work. In the time of the Savior, an average man and his family could not do much more than live on what they made that day. If you didn’t work or farm or fish or sell, you likely didn’t eat. With more prospective workers than jobs, these first men chosen were the most fortunate in the entire labor pool that morning. Indeed, if there is any sympathy to be generated, it should at least initially be for the men not chosen who also had mouths to feed and backs to clothe. Luck never seemed to be with some of them. With each visit of the steward throughout the day, they always saw someone else chosen. But just at day’s close, the householder returns a surprising fifth time with a remarkable eleventh-hour offer! These last and most discouraged of laborers, hearing only that they will be treated fairly, accept work without even knowing the wage, knowing that anything will be better than nothing, which is what they have had so far. Then as they gather for their payment, they are stunned to receive the same as all the others! How awestruck they must have been and how very, very grateful! Surely never had such compassion been seen in all their working days. It is with that reading of the story that I feel the grumbling of the first laborers must be seen. As the householder in the parable tells them (and I paraphrase only slightly): “My friends, I am not being unfair to you. You agreed on the wage for the day, a good wage. You were very happy to get the work, and I am very happy with the way you served. You are paid in full. Take your pay and enjoy the blessing. As for the others, surely I am free to do what I like with my own money.” Then this piercing question to anyone then or now who needs to hear it: “Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?” Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.". Haha I know that is super long...but I think really is an eye opener for many things in life. I know for myself there have been many times I feel the way the works at the beginning of the day feel. Also I have felt like the ones of the last hour! They both were put through different challenges and ultimately learned very different and need lessons. We all have different challenges and opportunities but ultimately we all should recognize we all are here to strive to be better (repent). You will have different blessings and challenges, embrace it and live in the moment so you can get the most out of the things you have been given. So you can get what you need to out of it. Super thankful that the gospel gives you many chances because of Jesus Christ as I for sure need to be better at focusing on this idea of we are all here racing to repent and that is it 🤣. Been able to see the true love of all of our Heavenly Father's children out here and know he wants us to be happy. As you "do the best you can do day after day, and before you know it, you will come to realize that your Heavenly Father knows you and that He loves you. And when you know that—really know it—your life will have real purpose and meaning and you will be filled with joy and peace" (The True,Pure and Simple Gospel of Jesus Christ April 2019). So I want you all to find out if you have a Father in Heaven that loves you. I have and I know it will change the way you live and how you view your life. Well I love u all and hope u are all doing well. Finally getting warmer so pretty hyped about that. Hope you all have a great week!