Happy Sunday McClain-March 7, 2021

Happy Sunday McClain - I hope you have had a great week. It is now Sunday morning and I wanted to send a letter to you. I have read and re-read your letter several times this week and am so proud of you for all you are doing as a missionary and your righteous desires. I know that as you continue to put your hope and faith in your Heavenly Father that he will bless you and your "burdens" will become light. You are already experiencing some of that relief and it can come more and more as you use the tools your mission president has shared with you and the counselor you are getting a chance to visit with. I loved the verses you shared with us from Moroni 7. All of that book from the Book of Mormon is great and I remember reading many verses from there, particularly from Moroni 7, 8 and 10 with members and those we were teaching in Brasil as a missionary. I know that God loves each one of us, and especially you. He has called you as his representative to be a missionary at this time, and right now in the Bakersfield CA mission. He know how you are feeling and is always close to you. As you draw near to Him, He will be there for you and be able to comfort and guide you through the Holy Ghost. Another scripture I have thought a little bit about comes from Matthew 16. We have been watching some as a family "The Chosen". Its a series on VidAngel (and BYUTV) about the life of the Savior as he begins his ministry. He has just called his apostles to follow him and in verses 24 and 25 he says: 24 ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. We will all work our entire lives to fully follow Christ and devout ourselves to him. At different stages of our life, this will mean different things. Right now, as a missionary, you have the special opportunity to devote more of your time and yourself to him. I know that as you fully "lose" yourself in missionary service, in whatever way that means right now with the opportunities to teach and to serve and with current and future companions, that you will find yourself more fully and will experience the everlasting joy of the Gospel in ways you never have before. We love you and are so proud of everything you are doing. Have a great Sabbath Day today and we are excited to talk to you tomorrow. Love Dad.