One year

Good afternoon! 

As you might know, I left for my mission a year ago on Friday. It's really something just how quick time goes by. It's funny looking at photos/videos of just how different I look from when I began this journey. 

I want to focus my email on a more sensitive topic. I feel it should be talked about more often: Choose to stay. 

There was a recent experience that I went through that made me reflect on this topic. Just last night, we were all sitting on the balcony talking together. Suddenly, we heard a woman scream and run out from the apartment complex towards the road. She was quickly followed a man in a hoodie. We decided to run down and see what was going on. We asked if everything was alright, but the girl told us to leave her alone. We confronted the man, and he said she was on Suicide Watch. We gave them some space, called 911, and waited there for help to arrive. In short, the police and paramedics showed up, and no one got hurt. 

As I reflected on this experience, it kind of took me back to when I was going through a dark time. I thought of the people that had been my support and my help. It made me grateful that I chose to stick around. I thought about all the experiences I've had since that I would have missed. Every day, I am grateful for another day of breath that God has given me. 

To those that have struggled, are currently struggling, there is hope. 

There is a verse in the book of Ether that I often read for comfort and an increased perspective. 

6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind

In life, we often feel we have been buried by so many expectations, responsabilities, and emotions. I like this scripture because it reminds me of who is behind the scenes allowing those waves and winds to push me towards where I need to go. God loves you enough to allow you to suffer, so much so, that He allowed the Begotten Son be sacrificed. 

If you ever feel you are alone, you're not. There is always someone. 

That's my two cents. 

Here are a few photos from the week, hope you all have a good one! 

con mucho amor,
Elder Rasmussen