The Easy Trail

Hey everybody! What a crazy week here!

     This week, it seems like we got a little bit of everything to say the least. This week we had an encounter with a drunk man who offered to give us all his money and gave us a bag of "pastry fish", girls filming me and my companion multiple times this week, and an elderly man peeing on the side of a building for the world to see. I wouldn't of believed the stories until I experienced em right??? Haha 

      Also, this week our missionary work just all of a sudden started to work out. We picked up a progressing investigator, and three new investigators.  We've been working soooo hard to find new investigators, and for some reason this week, everything seemed to work out. We have one man who has committed to attend church in a few weeks. He's afraid to be baptized because of what the world will think of him. The other three we'll meet with this week! Hopefully it works out, and it's in the Lord's plan for them to receive the gospel. Our prayers and faith are being answered.

      This last P-Day, me and my companion decided that we wanted to go hiking to the tallest peak we could find in Jinhae. So.... we did just that. We found the tallest peak, and starting from sea level, we began to hike. The hike was nothing like what I was compared to, but extremely difficult in the aspect. The hike was expected to take three hours, and knowing we were short on time, really began to push ourselves so we could get to the top.

The hike was hot, muggy, and hazy, but we hiked and about an hour and a half, we came to a fork in the trail. We were hot, super sweaty, and tired. Wondering which trail we should take, we found a sign. The one pointing to the left, in black sharpie, was labeled "Hard." The one pointing to the right was labeled, "Easy." Due to time, and how tired we were, we decided that we were going to take the easy trail, and in terms, "Choose the Right." So we began hiking what proved to be a very easy trail before extending up the grade and reaching the top of the mountain, which was over two thousand vertical feet from where we had started. The view was beautiful, and it reminded me a lot of home as I reached the top. After taking it in, we began to make the descent down the mountain, pushing ourselves to reach the bottom. In the hike that took two hours to reach the top, took only a short forty-five minutes to get down. In reaching the bottom my companion stopped and looked at me and said, "I'm glad we took the easy trail." 

      The easy trail in life is one that everyone can take in the path of discipleship in following Christ. We're all on our own personal ascent to the top of the mountain. We only have a short amount of time in this life to push ourselves, to work hard, and to climb to reach the top. On our hike, we're going to have forks in the trail, and we're going to know which is the easiest path to take. The easiest path will always be in following Christ's footsteps. He's marked the trail and set your own personal path for you to follow. Take the trail He's given you. Don't take the trail marked "hard" that will only slow you down in getting to the top. The hard trail is only covered with the hardships, trials, pains, and everything else that will be thrown at you. Follow Christ, and I promise that the trail will always be much easier. It's always going to be hard to get to the top, but as we forsake the things that slow us down, we'll all reach the top to where we can get that beautiful view.

      I'm coming to understand the path of Christ more and more with each passing day. I've never known the Savior so personally in my life. On my path to discipleship, I've chosen the hard trail sooo many times when I could have taken the easier way out. Christ walked the loneliest path so we wouldn't have to. His path was marked by trials that no one could bear, pains that no one could face, and by temptations that no one could handle. As we heed the simple words of the Savior, "Come follow me," we too can choose the path prepared for everyone one of us individually. 

      I love my Savior more than words can describe. I know He's there. Without His uplifting hand, I wouldn't be able to do this. I'm so grateful for Him and all that He does for me each and every single day. I'm continually grateful for the support you all give me. I love you all and appreciate you more than words can describe. Thank you so much for everything. Love you guys! Talk to ya'll next week! Can't wait!

Elder Roper