Happy Mother's Day!

Elder Levi Soller
May 9, 2016
4 min read

Happy Mother's Day to all those wonderful mother's out there!

This week was a little slower than most, but we had many powerful lessons. We were able to help an investigator set up a FamilySearch account and discover her ancestors, it was incredible! We also felt prompted to give them a gospel principles manual which I have never done yet on my mission, but I really believe that it will help. We are going to begin teaching a referral tomorrow. She has previously taken a few of the discussions, but had to stop because of a motorcycle accident she was in, but she has recovered and is very interested in the gospel! We are very excited to teach her the gospel and help her to come closer to Christ.

Last preparation day, we played soccer and volleyball as a zone and today we are going to play soccer and Frisbee on a field outside! On Tuesday, we helped clear a storage shed for Parker Days which is coming up soon, it's basically a city day with carnival rides and a bunch of other fun stuff! It is at the beginning of next transfer. I might still be here. I really hope that I am because I've heard it is supposed to be very fun! That night our lessons cancelled so we decided to go to institute which is at our ward building and there was something said there that really helped me out. "The purpose of the Book of Mormon, of Nephi's writings is to bring people to Christ." They also discussed how much of our lives are our choice. We can choose to be happy, we can choose to go on a mission and that the joy from serving a mission can come far before one is in the field, but when the decision is made. When someone chooses to serve a mission is once they start feeling the joy from a mission.

On Wednesday we went back to Rosie's Ranch to do service which was super fun. She is getting to the point where she can trust us with the ranch work. She just leaves papers up of things for us to do which seemed to work really well. This past week, I mucked the stalls... super fun! ... right... Haha

Saturday we helped out with a race they had in our area. It was the Arbor Day 5 mile and family fun run. It was super fun! Watching all those guys who placed cross the finish line made so many memories flashback through my head and I was able to remember the many finish lines I have crossed. I miss running so much. I am trying to go running some mornings but every companion I have had so far doesn't like running so they ride their bike along side me. I am trying to find a circle track so that we don't have to stay side-by-side. We also helped a single sister in the ward spread some pea gravel and dirt in her back yard because she is planning on putting artificial grass down in her backyard soon. It was super fun helping her.

Saturday night, I had a wonderful experience. I was on my knees praying about several different people, different things. I was praying for people back home, for people here - for their hearts to be softened. I was praying for help with different situations. In the middle of my prayer, I stopped and said, "Heavenly Father, I love you" when without delay, I heard a still small voice, "Levi, I love you too" I then asked him what he would have me do and although I know there are still more answers that I have not yet recognized, the first one that came to me was, "Levi, continue to serve with all your heart, might mind and strength." This week I am going to do a study of what that really means, I know there are several scriptures that can help and several conference talks as well. This was the first time in a while and possibly the first time ever where I have had a conversation with my Father in heaven in a prayer. Normally I talked to him in prayers and he talks to me in scripture study, but this time my prayer was a conversation and I can testify that it was one of the most powerful experiences I have had. I felt the love of my Father's love for me. I felt it. After he told me he loved me too, I felt like I was receiving a hug from him directly and all I could say for a few minutes was "Thank You... Thank You." I testify that Heavenly Father KNOWS us! He knows you personally and if you will ask him with a sincere heart, you will receive it. I love how personal he is with us. It seems like almost every time I have an experience like this, He first calls me by name. Jesus Christ did this while he was on the cross, he said, "Abba (Father), forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Even Jesus Christ called the most divine being, Father. Isn't that interesting. He is literally our Father in heaven and Jesus Christ is our brother. It was a very powerful experience that I will never forget.

I am so grateful for my mother and all that she has done for me. She has been there with my first day of life to her teaching me while I was homeschooled to her teaching me to always be honest to her allowing me to learn certain things on my own. I think the thing I am most grateful from my mother is her knowing when to hold on and when to let go. She allowed me to make mistakes and learn certain things through my own choices. I am so grateful for her and all that she has done for me as well as all the other "mother figures" that have helped me along the way in my life. Grandma's, and while I am away from home, I even have a few 'mother's' out here.