White: the absence of color?

We went into this military base and went up this lighthouse. And then we also went to the exact spot where the first settlers of America landed

 --Some quick stats for this week--

Food of the week that I slept on: 2 Bananas! 

Times that I've seen the beach: 1!!

Times that we have done a 2 hour drive: 4 🥵 

Chick-fil-a: 2 🥴🤤

     Basically this week was CRAZY and so eventful. My two new companions are Elders Allred and Gilbert. These two are a bunch of goons and we have a good time. We have a joke about this standing lamp in our house that is always in the most inconvenient place...It's been surprising to see it when I step in the shower in the morning or see it in my bed when I go to sleep. Who knows where is next?! 

     We had an interesting yet miraculous lesson yesterday! Backstory: Melissa is a member who withdrew her records from the church a while back BUT has been trying and working with leaders to join the church again. She is weeks away to being re-baptized! Her husband, Jared, is NOT a member but he is way fun and interested in learning. 

     Recently, he has been confused on how HE can fit into the church. It's been hard because he can't see himself as a "cookie cutter" member. He also believes that his sins and mistakes have shaped him into who he is and he doesn't want those experiences to go away. In fact, he used an analogy how he has different "colors" that paint his past. He's learned about red, or has experienced blue, and many studies have brought him to green. He doesn't feel like he fits in because he isn't the same "shade" or "color" as the other members.

     My companions and I jumped on this analogy and all of a sudden my 6th grade self remembered the essence of white light. I told him that white represents purity and that is our goal. People think that they need to be washed free from their experiences and growing up in order to fit the model...HOWEVER, I told him, that white light is actually made up of red, blue, and green. His experiences, and the experiences and colors of other members, can combine to make up the White: Jesus Christ. 

     No. I am not saying we don't need to repent and be washed clean from the stain of sin. Nope. Not one bit. BUT I am saying that past experiences of green or blue can be made pure through the red blood of Christ. He can make us pure and unique as individuals. I love how Elder Holland sums it up by inviting us to claim the glowing embers of the past and not the ashes. Christ can justify us from our sins and fill the gap, however, the process of being sanctified is A PROCESS. It takes effort, time, trying, falling, brushing your knees off, and committing yourself to never give up. 

     The beauty of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is that it can and should be woven into every aspect of our lives. I am discovering that Christ is in the details and in every moment of my life (more to come on this next week;) 

     SO. (To tie things up together). Jared can still be a member of the church WITH his appropriate habits and customs while still being able to be made pure. The key to doing this is reading in the Book of Mormon daily and APPLYING these teachings. We have been given THE BEST roadmap for our lives, and I'm sad to say, I have not utilized it to it's fullest in my life. I'm excited for the future!