"Holes" by Robbie Pierce

I had been in that hole for a very long time

In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.

The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear

But there's no way I ever could reach it from here.

Nor could I remember the world way up there

So I lost all my hope and gave in to despair.

I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the walls

Then off in the distance I heard someone call:

"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.

Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

This had never occurred to me-had not crossed my mind.

But I started to stack all the stones I could find.

When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal,

For one way or another I'd get out of that hole.

So I soon had a ladder that was sturdy and tall

And I thought, "I'll soon leave this place once and for all."

I climbed up my ladder. It was no easy chore,

For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore.

I climbed on up the ladder, but soon had to stop

For my ladder stopped short-some ten feet from the top.

I climbed back down my ladder and started to cry

I'd done all I could do. I gave my best try.

And in spite of my work, in this hole I must die.

And all I could do was sit and think, "Why?"

Was my ladder too short? Or my hole much too deep

Then from way upon high came a voice, "Do not weep."

And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest

As the voice said to me that I'd done my best.

He said, "You've worked very hard, and your labor's been rough,

But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough.

Do not despair. You have reason to hope

Just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope."

I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord.

When I got to the top, there stood the Lord.

I couldn't be happier; my struggle was done.

I blinked from the brightness that came from the Son.

I fell to the ground. His feet did I kiss

I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?"

Then He looked all about Him. There were holes in the ground

They had people inside, and were seen all around

There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark, and deep

Then the Lord turned to me and He said, "Feed my sheep."

Then He went on His way to help other lost souls,

And I got right to work, calling down to the holes:

"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.

Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

It was my turn to spread the good word.

The most glorious message that man ever heard.

That there's one who is willing to save one and all

And we've got to be ready when He gives the call.

He'll pull us all out of the hole that we're in

And save all our souls from death and from sin.

So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope

Just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope.

I didn't take this picture (From lds.org)

The 4th of July

  I had a good 4th of July. We had to be in at 8 pm so we didn't see any fire works. I am glad the family fed the missionaries because we didn't have any one sign up to feed us but of course the Skousons found out and invited us over. So it was just us and them. We took pictures with them and Pat. They are the coolest!

  So our bike tire is still broken, but TODAY we will fix it. So we have been walking this past week. I really prefer biking. We are a lot more effective that way.

  Fast and testimony meeting was awesome yesterday. There were some good testimonies borne. Rick of course came. He is cool. AND we sung some cool songs. Like one of my favorites 'There is a Green Hill Far Away'. It makes me wish I was more involved in our home ward. (Not that I wasn't but there is a lot that goes on I was oblivious to, like missionary work!)

  Last P-day was a ton of fun. We met as a zone at our stake building and played Basketball, volleyball, and scatter ball. I haven't really played basketball before so the Elders taught me how to play. I was pretty tired afterwards, we played for 4 hours. (Some of us played that long, others were writing letters home, but who does that!?!)

  We are trying to find people to teach and I am super stoked. We have a couple potentials that we have appointments with which is really exciting.

 

  I wish I could tell you all the crazy cool stuff that happens each day. But I am way too lazy. Just kidding, I don't have enough time because there is too much crazy cool stuff! For example, yesterday we had dinner with a family at 5 who live right by the church so we went to visit a nice old lady, Betty, who does not come to church. So we walk up to the REALLY nice retirement community (Woodland Village San Marcos, look it up) and the doors are locked. BUT lo and behold, someone came to let us in. AND it was Betty!!!  Sister Bradley does this tradition where every night we tell each other where we saw the hand of God and something we loved about our companion. (It is always really easy for her to think of something about me..) Just kidding. But maybe I should write those down in my journal or something. MAYBE you all should TOO!!!!!!!!!!

YAYAYAYA

 We do not play around when we bike. At least I don't.

 My 2nd Transfer District Super cool missionaries

 Me and Sister Flint

 THE SAN DIEGO TEMPLE!

 Jack Fletcher!! He hasn't been feeling all that well but he was so happy to take a picture. He is such a cool guy, and I wish you could hear his stories.

 JUST KIDDING! We do have fun biking! (We were waiting for the zone leaders to drop something off, so we are not wasting time playing with the self timer of the camera.)

 Pat Vincent and Sister Bradley

 Pat Vincent and ME!

The Skousons!!! They graciously fed us for 4th of July and we had Icees with ice cream in them. They were pretty good.