Alii, everyone I love with all my heart!

So, I DO NOT have a lot of time this week because we are going to a waterfall yeah!

Ashley it sounds like you and the fam had an awesome week! My week was pretty good too! Palau had three baptisms on Saturday and I got to hold a MONKEY! Ah monkeys are so cool.

This week was awesome “L” passed the sacrament for the first time which was so cool to see. He did not have a white shirt and tie so I gave him one of each. I gave him my last actually “white” white shirt, that I was saving for when I was released and ready to travel home. So when you see me in a bright yellow shirt in a little under a year you will know why… #worthit

Today, I realized something… before my mission life was pretty easy. I did not have any real struggles and I was just kind of going with the flow, but while life was easy I was not truly happy.

This is because I was living in the ways of the world and did not really understand the gospel, or its teachings. So Satan had his grasp on me. Now that I have been on my mission, I now have an understanding of the gospel, and am living it to the fullest. I have found that Life has become much harder and Satan’s temptations much stronger, however I am A LOT happier. The Point I want to make, is God never said his plan was going to be easy. He said it would be worth it.

Satan tries to tempt us every day and get us to choose the easier wrong over the harder right. Telling us that the great and spacious building is really where we want to be. Satan will even try and throw in simulated moments of joy along the way. Trying to trick us into thinking the ways of the world is where true happiness is. Well you know what I have to say to Satan? HE IS FULL OF CRAP.

Only the gospel will bring us true happiness and lasting peace, in this life and in the life to come. Do not get me wrong, the path of discipleship will be and is a hard one. We will face far more trials, hardships, and persecution on the path of Christ, but it will be worth it. God will bless us as we endure, he will strengthen us along the way, and if we endure well, our afflictions shall be but a small moment, and one day we will be exalted on high to dwell in the mansions of our Father.

So if you ever feel like life is getting to hard, or it is too hard to fulfill your callings or responsibilities, or it is too hard to find time to get to church, or pray, or read your scriptures; just know that you are right it is hard. But the blessings you will receive in the eternities for your steadfastness in keeping the commandments of God now will be far greater than any temporary joy Satan could give you in the moment.

May we all continue to endure to the end so that we may one day rejoice one with another in the kingdom of our Father. This church is true.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Rupp