Good morning, beautiful people :))) I am having just a fantastic day and hope you are too! I feel so happppppiiiiiii. Which I don't know why because I've only got 14 minutes to write this but you know what I don't care because life is just beautiful and there's no need to stress about the little things. Right?!

I love being a missionary. I love waking up at the buttcrack of dawn and sweating profusely to music I've listened to a thousand times in a room that gets really hot really quick because of the already hot temperatures outside. But I literally wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Every single flippin day I wake up, I am given the opportunity to feel happiness. Sometimes, I have to work extra hard to find that happiness. And othet times, I can't find it no matter how hard I try. That seems like it'd be really sad right? It is, but I don't feel sad because I know I'm not the only one feeling this way. The knowledge I have of my Savior and His Atoning sacrifice makes up for all the times I feel sadness creeping in. Because I know that I will be taken care of. And that's something I didn't know before. Well scratch that, I knew it, but didn't KNOW it.  

This week in particular, I've had countless (literally) miracles happen to me. I won't go into all of them but I wanted to share one experience that's coming to mind. Actually I don't want to share that one because a different one is coming to mind............

Almost six weeks ago, seven new people came to join the district I've been apart of since I became a missionary. And one missionary in particular, I really struggled with. I was judging, really badly, his character and his life without even getting to know him. (How awful I know, who would even do that?) And I even outwardly expressed that emotion. Which for whatever reason, I didn't seem to think was rude???? And recently, like last week, I found out he was actually pretty hurt by the things I'd said before. And I felt really bad. Really really bad. I started fasting and praying to see how I could become better and try to overcome this "natural man" mentality about this missionary. Regardless of how right my judgemnts were or weren't, it gave me no right to make those judgments. Whatsoever. Anyways, yesterday during district council, we had a testimony meeting. Up til yesterday I have always prepared in my head a story or something I'd share with everyone in that testimony. And yesterday in particular I literally had 15 seconds (felt like forever) to ponder and I truly thought someone would say "ok I'll go" but no one did. I took the opportunity and I began speaking. I wasn't prepared though!!!! What was I gonna say?????? I was at a loss. But for some reason, I was able to bear a really simple but profound testimony about the Atonement and I didn't realize it then but I had apologized to this missionary. And afterwards he came and gave me a smile and said "Thank you Sister Lockhart, I forgive you"

I know this seems super lame and unprofound, but for me it was an answer to a fervent prayer and fasting that I really felt like I needed. And I was able to receive an answer and even an opportunity to express that I was truly wanting to change. And I took it. I was so proud of myself. 

So my invitation is this... who in your life needs to be forgiven? Who are you holding a grudge against? Who have you judged lately that honestly didnt deserve it? I invite you to search, ponder and pray for that realization and then pray for that person. Allow the Saviors healing power to piece you back together. He's there to help us become whole again and I can proudly say that I am imperfect. I do judge people and I'm not proud of it. But I am proud of myself for recognizing that, but most importantly, asking for help. It's always been SO hard for me to ask for help because I feel like I can do it on my own. Reality is, I can't. And I'm okay with that. I've seen the Savior heal me and I don't ever want to not use that healing power when it comes to an imperfection of mine.

I love each of you so much but know that Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ love you even more. Allow the Atonement to work in your life. Give up the pride you're holding onto (I know it's hard) and ask for an opportunity to experience the amazing power that comes from forgiveness. It's a blessing. Truly. The Atonement is for everyone. Not just "sinners." Don't ever forget that none of you are too far off the path to come back on to it. I know this Gospel is SO true and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Even if we get attacked by stick bugs named Jarome multiple times in a week (this is a true story). 

Spread love this week, give a neighbor a nice wave, and smile lots. 

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU ALLLLLLL!!!!! 

<33 Sister Lockhart