His mission!

Chad's latest email and a couple of photos from his area. Blogger's note: 2 photos of the Elbe river looking across at Lauenburg and Chad lost somewhere in Germany and Chad with glasses we didn't know he had or needed.

BOY DO I LOVE MY MISSION!!Oh Parentals, I am happy. It's been a good week for me. I've come to a realization, and it has turned everything around for me. So, for the past few transfers I've been trying to figure out what I could do to help the ward here in Lauenburg, how I could better the work, how to work in harmony with my companions, and everything else with ties to missionary work. But, because of a few different situations and problems with the ward, transportation problems, and a plethora of other things, I started to feel bad for myself. I started to feel hopeless. I felt further from my Savior than ever before. Every slammed door, thrown bottle, cuss word, and every other bad thing that seems to happen just threw me down and kicked me to the curb. I wanted to curl up in a ball. I felt abandoned. I felt unloved. I felt alone.Now normally when I would hit a point like this, I would go to family or friends, people I knew loved me. I didn't know what to do and found myself with alot of down time. So I read. And read. And read some more. I thought a lot. I figured out things that I never even thought about before. But I never realized how much I was learning. I never looked back. And that is where my mistake was.This past week I looked back.At the beginning of the week I felt lower than ever. I read that I should share my favorite scripture on the Atonement at interviews. So I started to think alot about it. Then after interviews we went home and I sat at my desk. I got out my study journal and pulled a piece of paper out. I started writing down everything I learned since I've come to Lauenburg. Both my good and bad experences. I soon had to pull out more sheets of paper. I couldn't stop writing. I didn't want to stop writing. I saw the miricle of a mission unfold infront of my eyes. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude swept over me. I can't believe what I've learned about missionary work, about myself, and about the Eternal Nature of our God.The next day we were with the AP's for a training programm. Afterwards we split up and went to visit contacts. I was with Elder Kimball. First I want to say that I love the AP's. They are amazing missionaries. But I feel especially close to Elder Kimball because of serving in the same district for so long. We had a good long talk in the car on the way to the contacts. It was refreshing. There is no better word for it.Since being in Lauenburg I have been struggling for months. I've felt discouragement so thick I thought I would be consumed by it. But, I have had moments when I gained hope, when I fought back the darkness trying to engulf my soul. And its because of those moments that I know there is a Father in Heaven who cares for me. He is the one that gives me hope. It is from Him that I learn. And I now see that.We don't know how strong something is until we have to defend it. Whether we have to defend it against the masses, or our own personal struggles, its the same. We strengthen our defenses with each and every battle. That I know and that I have seen.All is well. I am happy and strong in my Lord. He has not failed me, nor will he ever. He conquered all. He is there always. I know that the insecurities will come again. I know that I will stumble and fall. I know I will have to walk through darkness. But the sun will rise. It always does.
I'm really really sad to hear about Uncle Charles. He was the closest thing to a Grandpa (lately, anyway) that I had. I really looked up to him and loved him. He was an amazing man. I would really like to get that documentry on his WWII history that Mark is doing if you could get it to me. I wish I was there for it. Let the family know I love them and miss them.

I'm glad you had fun in DC ma. And I'm glad you're safe. I was worried for a bit. Not gunna lie. As far as an Easter Package, I don't really know what I want. I would like two books if it is possible. Eternal Man, and Mormon Doctrine. And, of course, the assortment of candy and popcorn! Some pictures would be nice too.

I'm kinda short on time today so I'm gunna sign off.

Have a good week.
I love and miss you two!

Elder ChArnett