In His Hands: Leaves, Trees, and Charity

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Leaves, Trees, and Charity

*Warning: Short Letter

This week was crazy! But it was so much fun! Sister Martineau and I are doing really well. She goes home in 5 weeks! So we’re making the best of our time!

The leaves changed and they are beautiful! Actually, they are almost gone now. If you blinked you might have missed them!

On Saturday we helped with RASKALS: Random Acts of Simple Kindness Affecting Local Seniors. Basically, we raked LOTS of leaves with the youth of the ward. It was a blast! But I am so sore! It must mean I’m getting old.

This week we made so many member visits! Sister Martineau served her for a year before she left so there were people she wanted to see, and Sister Thacker had lots of people she wanted to say good-bye to before she left. So basically we’ve been running around like crazy.

Personally, I learned so much this week! In PMG it repeats that we should “earnestly be seeking gifts of the spirit.” This week I asked for help with the gift of charity and it was SUCH a blessing! It has helped me dramatically in our companionship as well as my desire to work harder. Heavenly Father is just waiting for us to seek Him and He wants so badly to bless us. We are so blessed! Especially to have the Spirit! It amazes me sometimes. I think we live far beneath our privileges when it comes to seeking gifts of the Spirit!

So here’s your commitment for the week: Will you study and seek for a specific gift of the Spirit?! I know there are lots of good talks on LDS.org and other great discourses in the scriptures! I know that the Lord will bless us when we do!

I love you lots! And I LOVE this work! I am so grateful for the gospel in our lives!
Sister Painter

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My Missionary Commission

By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my Master and he has chosen me to represent him. To stand in his place, to say and do what he himself would say and do if he personally were ministering to the very people to whom he has sent me. My voice is his voice, and my acts are his acts; my words are his words and my doctrine is his doctrine. My commission is to do what he wants done. To say what he wants said. To be a living modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous latter-day work.
-Bruce R. McConkie, How Great is My Calling

Words of Advice. . .

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve a full time proselyting mission. It has been such a blessing! Sign me up for the next one! Sister Sunderland and I are ready to open China! I love this work! I love this gospel. I love bearing witness of Jesus Christ and showing people the way of the gospel.
The great blessing of my mission, and I now realize this applies to life too, is the people I’ve met and relationships I’ve built. I love them!
Mom and Dad, thank you. Last Conference Elder Holland set a powerful example of gratitude to his parents for the help they gave him while he was on his mission. I wish I was as eloquent, unfortunately I’m not. And to be honest words really can’t describe the depth of gratitude and love I have for you right now. So in all of its understated simplicity, thank you for everything.
The gospel changes lives. It really does. I have seen it happen. I’ve felt it happen. I am so grateful to know that He works! Just know, when God does something, he does it well! :)
We have so much to be thankful for! I love this branch! I love my companions! I love being a missionary. I just love this time in my life!
Gratitude brings the Spirit, and the Spirit brings peace and contentment, and peace and contentment make for a happy home!
I love this gospel! It makes me smile… all of the time… even when I feel miserable I always have something to smile about!
the Book of Mormon! It really is the pure word of God! I’m in one of those phases right now where I just can’t put it down. I love it! I’m grateful for the peace and understanding it brings me.
I am especially grateful for covenants. God gives us covenants because the point us in the direction of real, lasting happiness!
I love being a missionary! I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.
I LOVE being a missionary! I love the flow of knowledge that has come into my life over the last 18 months. I think I can officially say I’m addicted to learning! It has been such an amazing experience.
we have been concentrating on the Atonement and the role of the Savior in our lives and it has had a powerful impact. It’s been a miracle! It just goes to show that the “enabling power of the atonement” is real! And it is a gift given to all of us if we would just accept it and do our part.
when my testimony gets challenged the best thing I can do is open the Book of Mormon with a prayer in my heart and read until I receive another witness of the Spirit that its true, and likewise that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet.
we need to choose to act in faith, especially when we experience trials challenging our testimonies.
I had an epiphany in the shower this morning (I know… odd place) that we, as missionaries, are all called to specific places to serve for specific reasons. In hindsight I realized I might be here for a different reason than I originally thought.
I think the best part of having an official call as a representative of the Savior is to be able to so freely feel the love He has for His all of His children. That feeling has been the greatest experience of my whole mission… quite possibly of my whole life!
There are so many people right now who are hurting and just need to feel the Spirit reassure them that Heavenly Father is still aware of them and loves them.
I wasn’t the best visiting teacher before my mission but I have definitely repented and committed to be the most dedicated visiting teacher I can muster!
There are so many wonderful people here who just need an extra push and lots of extra love.
I think the Lord is reminding me how much I have to be grateful for!
the gospel is true! What is more glorious news than that?!?!
I wish I still had 18 months left in my mission! I really do! I love this work! I am so grateful to be apart of it!
I came on a mission out of gratitude for what the Savior did for me.
I love this gospel! I think so often we take for granted the beautiful truths that we know. I love the Plan of Salvation. I know that it really is the perfect plan! And I am so grateful for the Savior! He is, after all, the one who made the whole plan possible.
God’s whole plan is for us to live with Him and with our families forever
We have a loving and merciful Heavenly Father!
I love you! And I really, really, really love this gospel! Miracles happen when we live what we’ve been taught!
I am so excited for general conference this weekend! I can’t believe its time for it again! I know that what we hear from the speakers is what the Lord wants us, His children, to know right now so that we can prepare ourselves physically and spiritually. And I know that when will really study and follow the counsel given we are blessed! What an amazing time to be alive!
One of my greatest struggles has been thinking my effort isn’t enough, but I’m starting to understand that the Lord really is happy with any effort we make to grow closer to Him and to serve His children.
I love this gospel. I really, really, really do.
I have also become very aware that there are always doubters and more often than not their doubts are logical. But we can “choose faith over doubt, faith over fear” and faith to try. When it comes right down to it (quoting Sister Gunderson… she would always say that) faith is a choice.
Elder Edgely taught, ‘If your testimony is insecure- CHOOSE to experiment… let faith bridge that gap.” My mission has really taught me that living the gospel takes everything you have. If at anytime I feel like it’s easy and I’m just getting it down I realize I’m not doing something right. :)
Elder Anderson was right on when he said that “the road of discipleship is not for the spiritually weak in heart.” It really does require everything we are and everything we have to give. I am grateful how Elder Anderson reassured us that “the doubt of others does not have to impede the spiritual progress of the rest of us.”
I am SO grateful for the wisdom and counsel given to us by prophets, seers, and revelators! It brings so much comfort!
I don’t know how they do it every time but I’m pretty sure General Conference was directed right to ME!
Remember not to let Satan stop you from doing the important things!
There are so many people, even in Utah, that need the gospel! (And who need a friend!)
You should meet with the missionaries and they could teach you how much Heavenly Father loves you!”
Often the hardest part is just opening our mouths.
I swear Satan stops at nothing. Sometimes I’d like to give the devil a swift kick in the pants. Grrrr.
I am happy to be here and I am SO happy to be a missionary.
I am SO grateful for the Restoration and for a gospel that is applicable to EVERYONE. Heavenly Father really does love us.
I loved being able to testify of the power of the Holy Ghost! It truly is one of our greatest gifts! I know that God answers our prayers by the power of the Holy Ghost because I’ve felt it over and over again.
Can I share something I’ve been learning a lot about lately? Prayer. Pray is amazing! I know ya’ll know that, but what I’m learning is how powerful prayer can be! And we can have those powerful experiences on a regular basis!!! It’s so cool. What I’m finally starting to understand is the preparation that we should be putting into our prayers. It helps me a lot when I visualize the Lord sitting there with me, listening and talking with me. When the time comes that I go into the presence of the Lord physically I definitely want to be prepared! I want to be clean and pure and reverent and ready. So when I’m going into the Lord’s presence spiritually shouldn’t I do the same? I love prayer. I am so grateful for it. And I’m grateful for the answers that come.
It was a really good opportunity to take a personal inventory of whether everything I do is done “with an eye single to the glory of God” or if sometimes I “aspire to the honors of men.” I would encourage you to do the same and then make appropriate goals to refocus on the Lord and His work. We can be doing the right things, but without the right intentions they mean nothing.
This experience over the last year has blessed my life in so many ways. I can’t even count them! I am just so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who let me have this opportunity.
I think one of the greatest experiences of my mission has been to really learn how the priesthood works and to watch the insider scoop of the priesthood leadership in each unit I serve in.
Times goes so fast! I’m just finally figuring out how to apply the last set of general conference talks!
We have so many blessings! Sometimes I really can’t count them they are so many! Blessings like the Book of Mormon! I love the Book of Mormon! Every time I read it my testimony of the Restoration is strengthened.
I know… temple, temple, temple. But I just can’t get enough of it!
I remember hearing a friend quote one of the apostles saying some of us need the church early in our lives to help us “become,” but others will be able to “become” without the church and will eventually just need the ordinances of salvation.
The Atonement works we just have to have faith in that.
they think they need to be perfect before their baptized. Not at all! Baptism is just the beginning. We just have to be willing to commit the rest of our lives to the Savior AND we have to be willing to make mistakes
I love this gospel so much! It is the best thing ever!
We have had so many miracles this week. My favorite thing about my missionary service has been watching how the Lord works in our lives. It is incredible!
It’s just a testimony to me that we are always learning and growing and it really is amazing! I am really grateful that I have the opportunity to be here, now. I am learning so much! I love every day I have!
Will you look for opportunities this week to be the Lord’s hands?! It is the best feeling in the world! I promise all it takes is our desire; the Lord will provide the opportunities!
I am so grateful for the Brethren who are inspired in their counsel to local priesthood leaders. They really do know what they are talking about! We just have to trust them and work to accomplish the goals they’ve set.
the temple truly is the center of everything we do in the church and how we need to make our focus as missionaries on getting everyone we teach to the temple.
I love this work! And I love being a missionary!
When people say you have to “cultivate the Spirit” in your life they mean it. You have to get your shovel and start digging, diligently and tediously going through row by row just like you would a garden. It’s tough and it’s dirty because Satan does everything he can to distract, discourage, and deceive you. That basically sums up my last few months… ha ha. But the Spirit that follows makes it totally worth it!
I love the better understanding I have now of my relationship to my Heavenly Father. That is the most precious doctrine I’ve learned on my mission. Although, it’s been so tough.
When you feel that all you want to do is shout from the rooftops “It’s true! It’s really true!”
I’m just as happy as can be. In all honesty, I’m addicted to the Spirit that attends this work. I really am. It is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.
I sure love our family! We’ve been so blessed with each other and the gospel!
I think the best thing about a mission is watching the change that comes into individual’s lives when they choose to follow the Savior. It is a tender experience to be able to witness that. And not just in individual lives, but in families too.
I love being a missionary! I love the strength we are given from the Lord! Sometimes life is just hard! But it is guarantee a whole heck of a lot easier with the gospel
Speaking of the Book of Revelation, doesn’t it talk a lot about thundering and lightnings? Ha ha… I know the weather isn’t usually the most exciting thing to hear about in these emails but I just have to tell you… We’ve had the coolest storms! They are amazing! I love to sit on our balcony at night and watch them! Do you remember the story of Zion’s Camp when the mob was coming for the Saints to kill them? Joseph reminded the brethren to have faith and God would provide a way to get around their persecutors and then that HUGE storm came and stopped the mob. I love how Joseph said, “God is in this storm.” It sounds so corny, but I think that sometimes in these HUGE storms we’re having. It even says so in the Book of Revelation.
When Joseph Smith said the Book of Revelation was easy to understand and illustrated plain and precious truths… he was right! I never really believed it because Revelation was so difficult to understand. The moral of the story for me was that we just need to follow the prophet. He knows what he’s doing and he’ll guide us to safety… spiritually and physically.
President Robbins is an incredible teacher and I love the way he uses the scriptures! I’ll never read the Bible the same again! He taught us about the Book of Revelation and it was INCREIDBLE!
am grateful for faithful priesthood leaders. (I am just terribly grateful for the priesthood!)
I am so grateful for the power of forgiveness and the ability to move on. The power of the Atonement is REAL we just have to let it work within us.
He testified of the ability to forgive and let go, trusting that Christ will keep His promise. For us though, we are responsible to turn over those feelings completely to Him. He’ll take care of the rest.
one Elder piped up and asked Elder Christoffersen how we can utilize the power of the Atonement more in our lives (pretty profound question) and his reply was POWERFUL! He talked about how the Atonement is crucial for our ability to repent, and its necessary for perfecting our weaknesses, but what most of us fail to remember is that He will eventually bring justice to all where injustice has been done.
WE GET TO GO TO THE TEMPLE!
I’m grateful because the Spirit really does increase our capacities. Heavenly Father can truly make more of ourselves than we can. I love having that guiding influence in my life.
This week has been one of the craziest, if not THE craziest, week of my mission. Honestly, it was probably the most difficult I’ve had to go through as well. It’s like the pattern of the First Vision: when Joseph Smith was about to have a huge spiritual experience Satan did everything in his power to stop him.
The same is true today in our lives. When we are about to have huge spiritual experiences that devil is going to do everything he can to try and stop us.
I know now that the light of the Lord will ALWAYS dispel the darkness when the time is right.
We got to sit and learn at the feet of one of the Lord’s living apostles. (And I got to shake his hand! It definitely was one of the most tender experiences of my life so far
I received a sweet reaffirming witness that this is the Lord’s church, that He has living prophets and apostles and that this is His work!
No matter how hard the devil works he can never imitates the peace that comes from the Spirit of the Lord. There is nothing better than that feeling.
I know the Lord loves you! He does. There is no doubt about it!
First we read in Alma 59 where there were no fortifications to protect the people and the unfortunate result, and then read in Alma 50 where Captain Moroni made extensive fortifications to protect the Nephites.
We likened that to our families and the things we have to do to fortify our families: family prayer, scripture study, testimonies, prophets, faith, repentance, service, family history, temples, etc. It’s incredible what the Lord has provided for us!
Our family isn’t going to be attacked by Lamanites (thank goodness), but its being attacked by Satan and his temptations. When we remove those things Satan has direct access to our family. One of the saddest things about my mission is seeing the results of families with no fortifications.
Can you believe my year mark is this week! Ah! I hadn’t really thought about it until I got a letter from Molly and she pointed out that my “farewell” was exactly a year ago that day. Eck. That is crazy! Six more happy months!
I just have to tell you how much I love being a missionary, even when its dang hard! The best part is watching others learn and grow and become truly converted.
Will you keep reading the Book of Mormon with determination to get something out of it? There is power in that Book, there really is. I know that it will strengthen our fortifications against Satan, so it’s worth the effort!
I was gently reminded that having faith is sometimes a hard and scary process, but in the end it is the easier way. Satan has influence, but God has power. I know that’s true.
One of my favorite things of my mission is testifying of the Savior’s role in our lives- He is our only constant and that is why faith in Him is so important. Thanks to previous experiences I can testify of that: that no matter how hard, how lost, how lonely we feel, no matter how little control we may have, He is our constant companion.
I wish everyone would just trust us enough to open the Book of Mormon! It is a masterpiece- besides that fact that it has power to change lives!
I love knowing that this is the Lord’s church. It truly is. It is His organization and His gospel and because of that we know that “the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all His promises shall be fulfilled” (Mormon 8:22). We really have no reason to waiver or doubt. We have all the answers!
It really is the most incredible thing that we have the answers to life’s most difficult questions.
We had some really good lessons with her this week about what the Gospel really means and the importance of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost and continuing to live these principles for the rest of our lives. Heavenly Father truly has a perfect plan!
The Atonement works! And not just on an individual level! Christ should be the center of all of our relationships and organizations! What He did for us is just that powerful!
I have the biggest testimony that this truly is the Lord’s work! We are simply His missionaries (not just us full-time missionaries…all of us)! And if we live worthy and willing He will use our little “uncelestial souls” (Elder Holland quote) to do great things.
I will tell you though; I don’t have a shadow of a doubt of God’s love for His children and His eagerness for us to succeed. And even though we have to go through times of testing, heartache and trial, He will set us up for success. All we have to do is recognize what He’s done. I want you to know that I KNOW that.
I know this will be a great transfer. Change is good.
Faith is an assurance in something that has yet to be seen, the blessings to come after the trial. But if we endure well, if we do the things we said we’ll do (specifically keep our covenants) we will see the fruits of that faith because “Heavenly promises are always kept.” That truth is the same for me and for our family as it is for our investigators. We just have to have faith.
I was studying “conversion” this week and was reminded that we aren’t truly converted until our faith has been tested and tried, even over a lifetime. Will we really hang on to the rod and walk through the midst of darkness? Will we cease murmuring and start counting our blessings when the going gets tough?
Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do. . .to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid. . . to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain.
Sometimes I wish I could just do it like the old days and stand on the corner of a busy street and sing the song that’s in my heart and testify in a loud voice for all to hear. I think Cincinnati would give me a ridiculous look. Maybe I’ll do it anyway.
There are small, slow steps of progress. But we just have to glory in those little miracles anyway.
I love serving a mission! Almost more than that- I love knowing I’m where the Lord wants me, when He wants me here, doing what He wants me to do. The peace and confidence I feel in knowing that was worth all it took to get here.
I was reading through your emails and I just thought to myself, “I have so many blessings!” Seriously! I can’t keep up with all of them. Where much is given, much is required, and I’ve been given so much. But I’m grateful!
You know those moments that your heart is just overflowing with gratitude? Well this is one of those moments.
I love you all! Lots! So let’s do everything we can to make sure our family is together forever!
I am especially grateful that we have the truths of the gospel and that I get to share them with the people I have to come to love here. Our investigators are doing so well!
I’m grateful that we can feel His influence during these “perilous times.” I’m grateful for families, for temples, for leaders and teachers, missionary work, family history work, all things given us that we can come to know Him.
I know that Jesus is the Christ, that he lived a perfect life to be an example for us. I know that He gave His life out of perfect love for us. And I know we will one day see the prints on His hands and His feet! I can’t see them now, but I know they are there. I know that I’ve received a witness from the Spirit that these things are true. And I am so grateful.
Sister Thacker and I had lots of time to spend in the New Testament and in Jesus the Christ. It was a really humbling experience to consider His life and what He did for us. I didn’t live in Jerusalem at the meridian of time either. I didn’t follow the Lord as he walked the region teaching and healing. I didn’t see Him condemned, crucified, or resurrected. But I believe the testimonies of those who did. I really do.
I loved President Monson’s remarks about how he didn’t live in the time of the Savior’s mortal ministry, but he believed the words written centuries ago testifying of Him. He believed the words written by the Nephites. He believed the words of Joseph Smith. We have so many recorded testimonies of the Savior. Do we read them? Do we believe them?
I think I’m extra grateful right now because I’ve spent so much time with those who are still caught up in those “dark-ages” philosophies of men. They are searching for the truth but are distracted. I appreciated Elder Foster’s words when he said, “A distraction doesn’t have to be evil to be effective.” How true.
For a few minutes this morning I was reading in Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage about the Dark Ages and the Great Apostasy. What a horrible time to live! It truly was dark times, particularly spiritually. Contrast that with the light we have because of Joseph Smith’s prayer, a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ,and a prophet on the Earth today. I am so grateful!
I can’t even describe the depth of gratitude I have for prophets and apostles today who commune with the Lord frequently and who spend their lives teaching us what He would have us do. Can you believe it! Modern-day prophets and apostles!
I sure love you both! I have been so blessed to have the family I do. I’ve been thinking a lot about you due the major theme of General Conference on families. It was INCREDIBLE!
The Lord truly is in the details and it is amazing.
I am so grateful for the gospel! I’m grateful for the principles of the gospel (that keep me out of jail). But I’m especially grateful for our Savior! For the love He has for us! I love Him so much!
He said he would never forget us, he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a wallet size picture of The Savior he had seen in our car and we had given him months ago. He told us he keeps it in his pocket and it’s what gets him through every day. “By small and simple means are great things brought to pass!” Isn’t that precious! There are so many small ways we have to share the gospel! Just keep your eyes open!
Heavenly Father is going to hold us accountable for what he tells us so we have to be ready and willing to act. I’ve been pondering that lesson all week and re-evaluating MY half-hearted efforts I make sometimes. The conclusion is the same for us as members. If we wish to keep our testimonies, no half-hearted efforts will do. God wants our heart and he expects us to give it to Him!
We talked about having “real intent.” If we want Heavenly Father to answer our prayers we have to show Him we really want it! No half-hearted efforts will do for Him. We have to walk in faith believing that the answer will come.
Well this week we definitely had a spiritual “feast” with some incredible lessons!
We see so many miracles everyday! It’s interesting because often those miracles are so small that if you aren’t watching for them you might miss them. We just have learned to keep our eyes open.
The Gospel changes lives. It really does.
we are responsible for taking those we meet out of the gutters of life and taking them back into the presence of divinity. We are responsible for bringing the Holy Ghost into their lives so they can be cleansed and sanctified just like we have.
It made complete sense to him that God would have a prophet today because all the other prophets in the scriptures are dead and we obviously need someone today to help us get through our own “Red Seas.”
I don’t know much, but I do know the Lord is “anxiously engaged” in this work just as much as we are!
And I love being able to work with them so much here in Cincinnati! If I’m allowed to have favorites, they are it!
I love the Africans!
I’m committing to do a little bit better of dreaming and believing!
“God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.”
Sister Thacker and I are focusing on those “heavenly promises” of finding families that are prepared for the gospel.
We are all going through experiences that might seem like our “ship is sinking.” But I know that heavenly promises are always kept! And the Savior promises our boat won’t sink if we trust Him enough to lead us safely across the sea.
The nature of missionary work really is difficult, as are most things in life. But inside EVERY difficulty is an opportunity waiting to blossom.
“Hope is an abiding trust that [Heavenly Father] will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in your confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance” (See PMG Chapter 6). So our goal is to further develop those four qualities and guess what! It has completely changed the work!
I have decided to work on developing the attribute of Hope.
I love this Gospel! I really, really do! And I love this work!
Ghanaian’s are truly some of the most faith-filled and trusting people I’ve ever met! They have truly been prepared for the gospel!
“How can you keep the “good news” in your pocket!”
It makes me so grateful to know that God’s priesthood power IS on the earth today. Think about it, God’s POWER. I guess growing up with the Priesthood in my home I didn’t necessarily grasp the incredible blessing it is. BUT IT IS!
It’s amazing how when people choose to take the steps the Savior has asked us to Satan literally will unleash his forces.
It starts with the simple testimony of the Spirit.
Yesterday in church someone mentioned the difference between “knowing about the Lord,” and “knowing the Lord.” I’ve thought a lot about that. If we are diligently studying and attending our meetings we learn much “about” Him but do we take the time to apply it in our relationship with Him?
That is why we’re out here! To invite others to come unto Christ!
The Lord is preparing people everywhere!
I’m grateful to have this experience to truly learn to love. It’s pretty neat.
When someone we love purely accepts and lives the gospel of Jesus Christ and is able to experience the same joy we feel it INCREASES our joy (D&C 10). And THEN it occurred to me that all of this is because God’s plan is centered on our happiness and receiving his “fullness of joy.” It’s perfect!
The more I’ve thought about it the more I realize that it’s the “joy” referred to in the scriptures! And THEN I realized why all of our covenants center around missionary work (they do! Just think about it)… it’s because that is what brings us the most joy.
That “instant love” I feel for almost everyone we meet. It’s indescribable! No matter who they are, where they’ve been, or how they treat you, you love them. And not just a little, A LOT!
I think sometimes we as a society don’t take the time to “enjoy the journey.” I’ve definitely been guilty of that. But we’ve had a great week just having fun doing what missionaries do.
What a blessing it is to be here! I just can’t get over that sometimes.
We've been so blessed! We truly have everything! Everything that is important anyway.
Having grown up in the church I think I often take for granted what has simply become a part of me. I've always known I am a daughter of God and that he has a vested interest in me. But for Lila, that was something very new and real to her. We've been so blessed!
What I love is when we teach her something new, like the pre-mortal life her eyes light up and her face just shines. It reminds me how precious these doctrines are.
So many of the people we teach have struggled through so many trials! It's incredible to me the strength that people have to endure so many things!
"All weather is good weather [on your mission]!"
I love this work SO much! It brings such a peace and happiness into my life that I haven’t felt in a long time. I love, love, love it!
God loves her and wants her to be happy even in a strangle land, with strange people, and strange ways of collecting food stamps.
So that was what we were praying for… and it worked!
Oh my goodness! I am so happy! I have been spoiled rotten in blessings! I can’t even help but smile!
This week, look for the ways the Lord’s blessed our family, especially in the little ways.
I know that He truly is our loving Heavenly Father and He wants us to come to Him, to get to know Him, and to do His work.
I’m grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity to “jump start” my personal missionary efforts for the rest of my life.
I know the Lord is planting seeds.
Kids have the simplest, most profound faith.
It’s amazing how when we just open our eyes we can truly see God’s hand in our lives! So will you keep your eyes open this week for how the Lord’s hand is blessing our family? Because I know he is!
Anyway, the Lord is working miracles in West Chester. They are small ones… but a miracle is a miracle! And we are so grateful!
I love realizing that as missionaries there are certain people that God puts in our paths because yours is the testimony they needed to hear.
We’ve just been blessed with amazing people to teach.
“When the missionaries come teach you, PAY ATTENTION!”
Africans have a greater capacity for faith! It is inspiring to me.
I love the diversity of people and backgrounds we are teaching.
I definitely have learned that the Lord can work fast when he needs to.
“See I told you the Book of Mormon is better than Harry Potter!”
What a blessing it was to be on my mission during the Christmas season. I definitely have a better understanding now of the “Spirit of Christmas.” It’s the Spirit of Christ. We just have to keep it with us the rest of the 364 days of the year!
I recognized why the Savior asks us to become “as little children.” They just get it. They don’t have to see it to believe. How come we even question it sometimes?
The impression that came to my mind was how blessed we are to live in the “beauty” of the gospel. There is so much ugliness in the world, but because of the gospel we can be lifted out of that and into a world where we have purpose, and joy, and contentment, and peace, and beauty. Isn’t that amazing! It makes me want to have a higher quality life… in thought and in action.
I think we’re given the Christmas season to boost our determination to live this way for the rest of the year! Ha ha.
Christ's great gift to us was His life and sacrifice. Should that not then be our small gift to Him-our lives and sacrifices, not only now, but in the future?"
What can we possibly give to the Lord? Considering all that He has done and is doing for us, there is something that we might give Him in return.
Life does get hard, but Heavenly Father didn’t send us here to fail. He didn’t send us here without help. We just have to believe: trust what he says! That is the greatest message Sister Thacker and I share everyday here. He’s there and He cares.
It seems like the world is getting darker and darker but the Light of Christ can dispel even the darkest of days.
Even though life sure can get tough the greatest blessing is knowing we have a Savior who knows how we feel and is there to succor us in our infirmities (Alma 7).
Can I just tell you… I love being on a mission! I love being able to truly feel the Spirit of Christmas EVERYDAY!
The two of us are going to go around singing Christmas Carols and sharing a message about Jesus Christ. :)
The Holidays are such a special time of year. There is definitely a different Spirit in the air.
It’s amazing to be able to see the fire of the Spirit touch the heart of those willing to hear our message.
He came to the Earth to bring PEACE so we might as well enjoy it now
I want you to know how much I love this work! This truly is the season to remember our Savior’s love and infinite sacrifice for us. Oh how I love him!
she had offered a prayer the night before wondering about the church again and “ta dah” here we were on her doorstep! See! The Lord DOES answer prayers! And he gives us every opportunity to accept his message!
We are so blessed to have “all the answers.”
Saying good-byes to our ward and investigators yesterday reminded me how much I love this work! I’ve never felt so attached to people I’ve known for so short a time.
I love serving as the Lord’s missionary! There is nowhere else I would rather be right now.
I’m glad it’s not my time yet!
And how about the Christmas devotional! Wasn’t it beautiful! I’m sure grateful to have a living prophet! I love him too!
Testimonies are sure a powerful thing! We should take every opportunity to share them! When we live the gospel we truly are blessed!
I just have to add: Sunday was wonderful! It’s incredible to me how fasting can bring such an abundance of the Spirit!
I love the cultural diversity here! It’s been so much fun!
Who would have thought the Cincinnati Mission would be so cultural!
There are so many ways we can serve those “feeble hands that hang down!”
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are literally His children and if we follow His plan we will find true joy!
Can I just tell you… I love my job! This is truly the best place to be!
I’m grateful to know we are here to do HIS work! What a privilege and honor that is. Isn’t that exciting! You know that means you too, not just the missionaries.
I’m so grateful to know we have the Lord on our side!
Miracles do happen.
With the Lord’s approval anything is possible right!
See what simple acts of service can do! And “when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are only in the service of our God.”
It is amazing to me how much someone can influence our lives in so short a period of time.
the gospel really does bless our lives with peace in our hardest times!
we just have to “open our mouths” as members to invite others to learn about the gospel. Its amazing how if we are just willing to say something the Lord will tell us what to say!
It truly is a blessing that so many temples have been built all over the world! How blessed we are to live in these days where we can attend the temple often!
It seems that every Monday when it comes time to reflect on the previous week I always think to myself, “Wow. I can’t believe you survived last week.”
This week I asked for help with the gift of charity and it was SUCH a blessing! It has helped me dramatically in our companionship as well as my desire to work harder.
We are so blessed! Especially to have the Spirit! It amazes me sometimes. I think we live far beneath our privileges when it comes to seeking gifts of the Spirit!
But peace is possible and it comes when we humble ourselves enough to “just ask.”
My faith has definitely increased and I know the Lord is close at hand in this work and is just waiting for us to ask. How many times does he say, “Ask and ye shall receive?”
Faith works!
your faith will increase as you find those who have been prepared to receive the gospel.
I love this gospel. Really it is the way to find peace in this crazy world
I’m grateful for the gospel! And I’m especially grateful for temples where we can be sealed together as a family for eternity!
Even though the week was hard my little “miracle” journal still has many entries everyday. The Lord is in the details of our lives… even as missionaries.
Sometimes all it takes is something small, but the Lord truly will work through us if we let him.
The world would be such a better place if we just turned our hearts outward to help others more! And it doesn’t have to be a big thing.
The Spirit was strong! I love that! Sister Thacker and I walked away practically floating on air!
I do know that we have a loving Heavenly Father! That He has a plan for us! Jesus Christ is central to that plan! And oh how I love both of them with all of my heart.
There is a power in the Book of Mormon to perfect us and protect us! Our family needs those blessings! The whole world needs those blessings!
I rededicated myself this weekend to not be afraid to boldly declare my testimony to the world!
Missionary work is so much more effective when the members do the finding and the missionaries do the teachings.
I LOVE the Book of Mormon! I know that it is inspired of God.
I’m so excited for General Conference! What an incredible opportunity to receive personal revelation about how the Lord would have us cope with the world today.
Let us not take counsel from our fears.
I don’t know what is going on in the world right now, but what I do know is that the Lord is preparing us for great things ahead.
I love the Spirit! I love knowing the Lord will send witnesses of the truth to those who are seeking it!
my testimony increases everyday when we are led by the Lord to find someone.
Mom and Dad, if there is one thing I want for our family it’s to always follow the prophet.
Can you believe we have a prophet on Earth today!
Kids are so smart! They know more than we think.
It's hard not to get discouraged when you don't see quick results
What a fabulous week! Oh man! I love my job!
It’s amazing how missionary work is really just an act of faith.
Satan has such a grip on society.
Everything we do in the church should be to strengthen the family!
I’m pretty sure this is the best mission ever!
This HAS to be the Lord’s work because He has such an interest in what we’re doing!
We’ve seen “many mighty miracles”
We KNOW the Lord has prepared some of their families to be completed in the gospel so we’re on a hunt… it’s almost like a treasure hunt!
I’ve truly gained a testimony of the Lord’s awareness of each of His children.
We’ve learned to watch for “many mighty miracles.” They happen everyday!
This week has been... you know I don't think any one word would describe it. Rough. Exciting. Hard. Rewarding. Painful...
Keep going! Keep smiling! No matter how hard it gets. Why? Because just like I said last week: Heavenly Father loves us! And is aware of each of us. There is nothing we can't do with Him on our side!
It's incredible that Satan is teaching the same philosophies now as he did thousands of years ago.
This truly is a great time to be alive! I feel like I have to repeat this all day to people.
Tried Salmon for the first time! I guess I can cross "Try seafood" off my 100 Things To Do list!
I LOVE THIS WORK! Oh man! I can't even tell you the joy that it brings to my heart!
God has a perfect plan and that is why he put us in families!
I've been trying so hard to "forget myself" and miracles happen when you do!
Remember that you are entitled to our Father's blessings in this work
I'm so grateful for prayer! And I'm so grateful for repentance!
Just know that the Lord is preparing people to receive his gospel!
I knew it would be hard. But I didn't expect this.
This is a great work done by angels on both sides of the veil. We get to be angels to those we teach! Wow
You testify, the Spirit teaches!
The Spirit increases capacities!
There is REAL Power in the Priesthood!
I Love This Work! It is such a blessing in our lives!
We Should Feel Confident and Never Afraid!
Cheerfully Do All Things!

Weekly Scripture. . .

August 17, 2009
Matt. 7:7-11!
All we have to do is ask! “Ask and ye shall receive!”

July 20, 2009
D&C 123:17
Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

July 13, 2009
Alma 32ish

Week #3
1 Nephi 3:7
I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Week #2
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Week #1
D&C 123:17
Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

In His Hands

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Leaves, Trees, and Charity

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