When You're Outside Looking In

I can't wait to get the November Ensign so I can study the General Conference messages. I find so many answers and helps to my problems and today I wish to share how a simple story has helped me.
The story was told by Elder Ulisses Soares and is about a brother in South Africa by the name of Moses Mahlangu. I quote Elder Soares:

"One of the most beautiful modern-day examples of meekness that I am aware of is that of Brother Moses Mahlangu. His conversion began in 1964, when he received a copy of the Book of Mormon. He was fascinated as he read this book, but it was not until the early '70s that he saw an LDS Church sign on a building in Johannesburg, South Africa, as he was walking down a street. Brother Mahlangu was intrigued and entered the building to learn more about the Church. He was kindly told that he could not attend the services or be baptized because the country's laws did not allow it at that time.
Brother Mahlangu accepted that decision with meekness, humility, and without resentment, but he continued to have a strong desire to learn more about the Church. He asked the Church leaders if they could leave one of the meetinghouse windows open during the Sunday meetings so he could sit outside and listen to the services. For several years, Brother Mahlangu's family and friends attended church regularly "through the window." One day in 1980 they were told that they could attend church and also be baptized. What a glorious day it was for Brother Mahlangu. Later the Church organized a branch in his neighborhood in Soweto. This was possible only because of the determination, courage, and faithfulness of people like Brother Mahlangu who remained faithful for so many years under difficult circumstances."

I loved this story and saw immediate application to one of my personal struggles. We moved to Carlsbad almost a year ago. We love it here for many reasons but one thing that has remained challenging is making friends in our ward. Many ward members have family that live in the ward or they established businesses locally and have raised their families here over many years. I would not describe the ward as unfriendly to new people but they do enjoy their established relationships. I often feel "outside, looking in" as did Brother Mahlangu. But unlike him, I have wrestled with feelings of resentment, frustration, jealousy and impatience. I've prayed about my problem but so far, little has changed. As I read this story, my soul seemed lightened over this concern. Perhaps, the changes I pray for aren't the ones the Lord wants for me right now. Maybe his desire is to help me learn meekness, patience and greater faith. Maybe he is using this challenge to improve my spiritual character and help me come to know my loving Savior more, as my friend. While I'm busily focused on my feeling of being "outside" he is, as always, focused on improving "my inside."

I'm so thankful for the inspired words of General Conference and for how, almost magically, the Holy Ghost is able to "tutor my soul with understanding" with the words I most need to hear.