This
week has been filled with so many new experiences, I don't even know
where to begin! Just as way of introduction, Meridian is much more urban
than the towns I've been in previously. Boise was just ranked as the
fastest growing city in the US, and the Meridian area (which is kind of a
suburb of Boise), is following suit. I live with some local members,
and they're awesome! Elder Wheeler and I are pretty spoiled. We live
about 3 minutes away from the new Meridian temple, and did a lesson
inside the waiting room a few days ago. We've got a Chick-fil-A and a
bunch of other restaurants, so my weight can only increase. I've got
mixed feelings about that.
Elder
Wheeler is great! He's from Arizona, and loves music! You can often
find us driving down the street in our white minivan, jamming out to
choral music like total nerds. Never have missionaries looked so cool.
For
whatever reason, fire has been a common topic of conversation this past
week, and I wanted to share some thoughts. Fire is often referred to in
the scriptures in phrases such as "fire and brimstone" or "the fiery
darts of the adversary." It often connotates pain and suffering that
accompanies Satan and the choice to fall into his temptations. In
contrast, we also talk about "the refiner's fire," which is the trials
and challenges that can eventually make us stronger and more like the
Savior. It's so interesting to me that God let's us choose which kind of
fire we want to experience. We can either choose to follow Satan and
experience an eternal suffering kind of fire, or we can choose to
experience the heat of the fire for a short time in order to become pure
and Christlike.
This
week, I invite you to think about your purpose. What is your purpose in
life? What is your purpose in your family? Even things as little as
"what is my purpose in picking up my smartphone right now?" I think we
often get distracted by things that don't matter, and we waste the
precious time God has given us. I invite you to cut things out that
don't help you fulfill that purpose.
Love you all!
Elder Doyle
