Letters of the heart.

Nothing warms my heart more than letters that truly express what's in the heart! This was this week's letter to Brad from Jeff and Brad's response! He is doing AMAZING and we are so proud of him.

WARNING: THIS POST SHARES TRUE FEELINGS AND MAY MAKE YOU CRY!

And, yes, I did get permission to share. I only share to have this special post in my blog book.

These posts are unedited so enjoy the grammar. But it captures the full memory I want to keep forever.

Elder B-Rad, 

I always feel the spirit so strongly when I read your letters.  They always reiterate to me the true joy that comes from living and sharing the gospel through following the savior and by loving and serving others.  What an incredible strength and example you are to me. I am so thankful for you and for your righteous desire and dedication to serve the Lord with your whole heart. It inspires me everyday, and honestly I wish I was there in the field with you more than anything, learning and growing with you. It breaks my heart that I failed the people of Alabama by not being worthy or willing to do all I could to bring them the gospel and bring them closer to the savior. Some days the weight and regret of it almost crushes me. The last couple weeks have been especially hard, and I have felt some heavy doubt and despair about who I am and the person I will become. All I can say is, Thank goodness for the atonement!  I get so much peace and hope in the knowledge that the Lord still loves me and has a purpose for me and is always mindful of me and ready to bless me with his guidance and encouragement. Jacob ch. 5 gave me a huge boost and reminded me that despite the wonderful opportunities I have missed, I will be blessed with many opportunities in the future and I need to continue to learn and prepare for what The Lord has in store.  I want to thank you for your example, your love, your friendship, your strength, and your faith. I am truly blessed to have you as my brother.   

Please feel free to share any thoughts, feelings, or experiences you ever have with me. I love reading your letters every week and am so proud of you and thankful for your complete dedication and discipline to give The Lord your best! I know your life will be blessed for it and I have seen it bless our families! Know that I love you, and that my prayers and thoughts are with you wherever you are.

~~~

Jeff, 

I always feel the spirit strong when i read your emails as well man! It is kinda weak, but i almost cry every time you punk! Your emails are aweome and they really boost my spirit of determination to have success in this work! You have been helping me more than you know Jeff! You didn´t fail the people in Alabama Jeff! Dont say that or think that, alright? I myself could say the same thing.´´I failed the people in Colorado, or the people in São Borja`` I am not the best missinary Jeff i failed at time there, i wasn´t always strictly obdient and in this way i failed the people. But we can hold are selves at blame forever! We have to move on! This is the whole purpose of the Atonement, that we do mess up but that we can move forward and change. With the atonement we dont need to dwell on the past, ya remember and learn from it, but we can´t keep thinking and saying ´´oh i wish i woulda prayed yesterday or read my scriptures yesterday´´ becasue we can´t do anything about the past, but what we can do is change the future by acting now! I started to learn this concept on the Football field as a corner back. I wasn´t that good, i messed up, but when i messed up i needed to forget about it and prepare for the next play or i would fail again and again. Are lives are like this aswell man! Please stop dwelling on the mission! I hope you realize that it is Satan using this regreat of yours to push you down.

Jeff you are my older brother, a child of our Heavenly Father! He has a plan for you and wants you to reach your full potential. I know you can reach your potential and God knows as well! He can help you, but you need to let him! Read this talk i received on my mission `´Do things that make a diffrence, by M. Russel Ballard. This talk is amazing! I love you Jeff and know you can succed, take this life one step at atime, not dwelling on the things that can´t be changed, but changing the things that can be! Never compare yourself to other people!When i do this i only find negative in myself! Also, can i invite you to read and Study* your Patriarcal Blessing?

I am so glad you are using the scriptures and prayers to receive guidence that our Heavenly Father has for us! I love you so much man and can´t wait to get home and chill with you and Cam!:)

Paz e Amor,

Elder Hauck