Serving in Stockholm, Sweden!: Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to be perfect. (Phew.)

This week has been a week of growth.

We have travelled all over Sweden this week, first to Västerås for Elder Bailey's funeral, and then to Göteborg for a Zone Conference. The dozens of hours that I had on a train gave me time to think. Time to ponder my growth as a person while being here as a missionary.

Recently, I have been really hard on myself. I have compared myself to others and haven't felt very confident. I have been feeling lately that I am a bad missionary; that I'm not accomplishing as much as I should, that I am not a successful missionary, that I am horrible at Swedish. And all of those thoughts have really hurt me.

Yesterday, I had a great talk with my companion, Syster Anderson. I told her about my struggles that I have been having, and she gave me advice that really hit home: Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to be perfect. He just expects us to be our best.

Although I have heard that dozens of times and have even told it to people dozens of times, it struck a string in myself. It meant something new to me. I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to feel badly about myself if I am not doing EVERYTHING full-out 24/7. He knows me and He knows that I am working hard.

I am grateful for the Atonement. I am grateful that Christ died for me so that I don't have to feel these feelings of disappointment anymore. That I can work hard, have faith, and that He will make up for the rest.

I love you, Family and Friends. You are the best people in the whole world. Thank you for everything.