A Beautiful Gift From God.

There is something amazing called Conversion .

It isn't a formula,

It isn't a word,

It isn't even a process,

is is a Gift that He give to His Children.

If only we'd all see it that way.

Think of it, when the sorest trials come, why should we ask 'why me?'

When we should ask, how should I be more converted?

A blacksmith in olden times was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ.  Almost immediately, his workshop burnt down, he had trials, and he had problems.  His son died, his wife left his for joining a "false faith" and it seemed the more he tried the worse his situation became.

A kind friend came and helped him rebuild his shop, upon completing the friend sat him down.  "I can't help but notice, my friend, that ever since you became a Christian you're whole life had gone from bad to worse.  Why no give up?"

The blacksmith stood up and began to work in his shop.  He heated up a piece of metal, beat it and shaped it to a horseshoe, as he tried with another, the metal began to crack and was ridged and the heat was only damaging it.  He threw it on a scrap pile in a corner.

Wisely he said, "When I get a piece of Iron, I see it as it will be, not as it is, I must see it that way if I am to shape it. Then I take it and melt it with fire to purify it.  Then beat it unmercifully into shape, and finally stick it into a pool of freezing water to cool it down, but sometimes one does not work, and I can't help but throw it into the trash heap. THE ONLY THING I ASK OF THE LORD,  is that while I'm going through the fires of faith.... is that he not throw me into the trash pile."

I would like to thank my wonderful and dearest friend, Elder Roberto Fernandez-Rosa for sending me this in the last email.  It was well needed.  I am grateful that he was in touch with the spirit to know and listen to what he felt.  He is definitely a huge blessing in my life.  He is an amazing friend, an amazing missionary, an amazing man.

I hope and pray that everything is going well for his while he is serving his final year in El Salvador.

I would love to thank him for everything he has done for me :)

I know that the Lord will never throw anyone in the trash pile.  He wasn't everyone to became the beautiful gem that they were meant to be.  Though the Lord has given the gift of agency to all of His children and He won't ever force someone to heaven.  He will allow everyone and anyone to be what they wish to be.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-Day Saints, is the true church and I hope that one day everyone will be able to feel the joy and happiness that comes from living the Gospel. :)

With much love,
Chelsea Bastian. :)