So you might be wondering why on earth is there now a game on a missionaries blog? Well it's obviously not for me since I can't play it, but it's for you to better understand sin in a fun way! Now as you play this game keep in mind this analogy. The ball is sin. Your paddle is the protection that God has given us. And the opposite end is Satan with all his many tactics. Many times Satan tries to throw the curve balls of sin at us and it is up to us to use what God has given us to avoid those temptations actually getting to us by throwing them right back at Satan. Try for yourself show Satan who is boss with this fun game!
I love pictures. There is an old saying that pictures speak 1000 words so from this point forward I will be using pictures only in this blogpost! I want you to learn from it what you may. Then comment what you have learned from the pictures. Yes they will tell a story and yes it will relate to the gospel. In a latter post I will write what I thought as I did this, but keep in mind there are no wrong answers to what you get out of these pictures.
Do you experience unexplained headaches. Are you struggling with the the hard stress's of life and blaim that on these unexplained headaches. I know I do and I'm tired of it, But thanks to a brand new... Okay I'm done writing a commercial ad for these headaches I'm experiencing. So now that I somewhat have your attention and if I don't then your loss let me add a little picture to brighten up your day
Worked miracles didn't it? Your headache is all gone and now you know exactly what the point of this blog is right? Well at least for me, I still have a headache and I'm sure you probably still are confused so let's get to the
! In everyday life we experience headaches things that we just can't seem to control no matter what we try that headache is still there. No matter what temporal fix we seem to roll over the problem the problem is just masked for a short time being. A perfect example of such is the major crisis in Japan currently. It's something that was most definitely uncontrollable. A headache and I'd even say a migraine to a lot of peoples lives, so what exactly are we suppose to do to not just simply mask our uncontrollable problems with the worlds "cures!" In rough times like these it's hard to just simply make these headaches go away and it's just as hard to understand why things of this sort had to happen however there are a couple things that we can do to one help the headache that have already happened and to prevent further migraines from happening.
! In everyday life we experience headaches things that we just can't seem to control no matter what we try that headache is still there. No matter what temporal fix we seem to roll over the problem the problem is just masked for a short time being. A perfect example of such is the major crisis in Japan currently. It's something that was most definitely uncontrollable. A headache and I'd even say a migraine to a lot of peoples lives, so what exactly are we suppose to do to not just simply mask our uncontrollable problems with the worlds "cures!" In rough times like these it's hard to just simply make these headaches go away and it's just as hard to understand why things of this sort had to happen however there are a couple things that we can do to one help the headache that have already happened and to prevent further migraines from happening. First understand there is great service in providing for those around us. The Mormon Humanitarian aid is constantly there at the worst of these headaches and are ready in the blink of the eye. We too must be able to help out with those headaches as much as we possibly can. Not any more important than helping those around us with their headaches, but also not any less important is to prepare ourselves to be ready for future headaches we might face.
Prepare by knowing Christ. Christ is the answer to so many headaches in life since he experienced them he too can help us out of them. He has provided us so many solutions that we can do now that if a devastation is to ever hit us that we might be prepared. I'd like to invite everyone to prepare themselves for what might come by looking towards Christ.Click on the above image for helpful ideas to how you can prepare!
Just a little end note... sorry if this made absolutely no sense... computers and migraines just don't mix well at all!
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| What if nobody likes me what if I don't succeed What if I give it all that I've got and I still don't got what they need What if I don't get anywhere at all Will I consider myself a failure will I be that small |
Plain White T's in their song, What If describes to the tee the feelings of so many people today. What if nobody likes me what if i don't succeed. More and more we as humans let the Devil get a hold of us and push us deep into the dirt making us feel like no matter how much we give and how much we try it's never enough. It reminds me of the scriptural story of the Widow's Mite. After we give all that we have given we must not get down on ourselves and say what if they "still don't got what they need." Christ has said that although the Widow cast in very little, "She hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury." Her 2 mites although not enough to really provide a persons needs was enough in God's eyes.
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| What if they don't like me what if they think I'm a joke What if they act nice to my face But they hate me and I don't even know What if they end up stabbing me in the back Will I consider myself a failure or will I fight back |
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| I'm gonna keep trying getting denied just makes me want it more I'll keep trying and each time push harder than before I can't live my life always worried about what if 'Cause what if I die tomorrow Then I never even lived |
Modesty is an important thing in the LDS church and seeing as summer is coming I appreciate modesty even more. It honestly reminds me of a take on a Taylor Swift's song that I never thought of before. "You belong to Me" quite frankly does a great job of describing the worlds view of modesty and how we should truly look beyond the immodesty and see that true beauty doesn't rest in short skirts but rather on the inside.
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| Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find That what you're looking for has been here the whole time. |
More and more we can look around and see girls dressed with short skirts trying to be popular. It's my dream that people would realize that the true beauty actually is on the bleachers in the girls who won't step down from modesty! Take a look at this Mormon who is taking the designing world by suprise: MODESTLY! WORLD WAKE UP AND find that what your looking for has been here the whole time: true beauty isn't in what you wear or how you act, but rather in ways you express the things you hold beneath the skin. When looking for friends we need to look for those that hold modesty standards that have been here the whole time.
And for those males out there take time to notice modesty. Don't take for granted anyone who holds standards. Now a days they are few and far between: Taylor Swift Speaks directly to you
Can't you see
That I'm the one
Who understands you?
Been here all along
So why can't you see
That I'm the one
Who understands you?
Been here all along
So why can't you see
Men WHY CAN'T YOU SEE??? Get over the looks and find out what it really means to have high standards. There is another song that comes to mind when thinking of what men should do when it comes to the modesty of the women in this world. "R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me!"
RESPECT them. Plus it's sad to realize but more and more is immodesty not only
becoming an issue for girls, but for guys as well. Not too long ago I was in Lawrenceburg and an older lady came up to my companion and I. She immediately complimented us on our nice white shirts and ties, and how happy she was to see young men of our age still dress modest. Now I'm not encouraging everyone to walk around in white shirts and ties... the confirmities of the 20s are over, however I do hope that men wear clothes that fit! Look presentable you never know who you might meet and appearance makes the first reaction! Not only was this lady happy to see our modest dress but she treated us to her famous carrot cake as well because of it. You never know the blessings behind dressing modestly!
To learn more about how important modesty is for the Church read this article Modesty: A timeless Principle for All
Check out this profile on mormon.org of a modest fasion designer
I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC: The more and more I think about the music I listened to before my mission the more and more I recognize that it so perfectly ties into the Gospel. Jeffrey R. Holland taught so perfectly this principle when he wrote in the May 2001 Ensign article "Witnesses unto Me" "I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more." Today I will relate the truth of the gospel to Rodney Atkins' song "If You're Going through Hell" Maybe sometime I'll think of a harder song to relate it to but for now this one explains trials in our life just too swell!
Well I been deep down in that darkness
I been down to my last match
Felt a hundred different demons
Breathing fire down my back
And I knew that if I stumbled
I'd fall right into the trap that they were laying, yeah
But the good news
Is there's angels everywhere out on the street
Holding out a hand to pull you back up on your fee
The one's that you've been dragging for so long
You're on your knees
You might as well be praying
Guess what I'm saying
If your going through hell
Keep on going, don't slow down
If you're scared don't show it
You might get out Before the devil even knows you're there
A lot of us find it hard in life when we face trials to really know what to do and where to go for help. Sometimes we feel like we are in the deepest pits of darkness. I know personally that I've been there experienced exactly what Rodney Atkins is describing; I've been able to experience the feeling as if there were hundreds of demons setting traps to drag me deeper into despair. Luckily though, just as Rodney describes Angels are constantly in our streets... Moroni 7:22-25 testifies to the truthfullness of angels being there to "minister unto the children of men." I know just as well that angels are here to help me! About a year ago I got a special letter from home which contained the testimony from my Father (The first time my dad had ever bore his testimony). Within that letter my dad made it very obvious that the way I could improve my life is to "walk as if Christ was literally standing behind me... because he is" I encourage you all to do the same thing walk as if Christ is there helping you every step of the way and if any point in time "your going through hell. Keep on going, don't slow down. If your scared, don't show it. You might get out before the devil even knows your there"
I'm excited to say I'll be staying in Thompson Station for one more transfer. I'll get to see some of my most favorite people in the world be baptized this Saturday, and I get to have another tenacious six weeks with Elder Dye. So anyways onto other things that are going on in my life: I just recently learned a new language that reinforced that I can speak a different language. I will write in it for a bit then translate for you. ubi trubied lubearnubing spubanubish ubonce... FUBAILED... trubied lubearnubing subign lubangubuage ubonce... FUBAILED... bubut thube Lubord knubows ubi hubave ubalwubays wubantubed tubo spubeak subomethubing ubothuber thuban ubenglubish hube mubade ubit pubossubible fubor mube tubo dubo subo! .... TRANSLATION i tried learning Spanish once... FAILED... tried learning sign language once... FAILED... but the Lord knows i have always wanted to speak something other than English he made it possible for me to do so! The Lord works in mysterious ways!
Today I logged on Facebook and had a wonderful question waiting for me so I figured instead of just answering it for that one person, I'd answer it for all who might be wondering the same thing.
"I'm teaching relief society [the womens organization in the church] now and my lesson on Sunday is on service and I was reading your blog and thought maybe, since you're a missionary and all, you'd have some insights I could share with the girls? Like what it means to you or any experiences or just what you think members [and non-members] should know about giving and receiving service?"
First for both non-members, and members:
Search for service oppurtunities. There is a very special women in the current area that I serve in that means so much to me. She is my inspiration for what service truly means. She is a stay at home mom with 4 children still at home of whom she hometeaches them all... What an inspiration! She is constantly stressed by the deeds of everyday life, yet she still finds ways to serve those around her. What better way to show someone who shows me how much she loves me by providing service to her. The more I'm able to help her out the more that I am able to really understand love for others. She is the depiction of Christ like service and love
Now just for non-members.
A great service ya'll can give is just simply listening to the gospel missionaries share. It sounds so easy but it makes so many people happy. It is my hope that you will be inspired from this Blog to listen to missionaries. To have that desire to make those covenants they invite you to make. It's my hope you know how much love we have for each of you that do listen, and how much love we have for each of you that don't. It is my prayer that you seek out service oppurtunities in the neighborhood, and please as you find them let the missionaries know in your local community! They would love to help out. It is also my prayer that you will ask the full time missionaries to do something for you. Ask them to provide service for you. So many times while I am out here on my mission and has asked someone "May I help you" as they carry 2 fifty pound bags of something or another they always reply "no, I'm good." More often then not they say this in a "out of breath" kind of way. Please ask us to serve you we love it!
And Finally for those members.
Provide Service by inviting your friends to hear missionary lessons in your home. There is no better service in God's Kingdom then helping those around you come unto christ, and there is no better place to do it than in your home. Don't be afraid of anything, God will provide! Going back to that woman of whom I so dearly love let me share an awesome story that just happened not to long ago at her house. Being the service filled women that she is, she invited over one of our investigators for dinner and a lesson! This lesson, created a picture perfect portrayal of the service of one family. It was by far the most spiritual lesson I have been in on my entire mission. I am so grateful for the oppurtunity that I had to participate in the strong power that populated the territory in which we resided AKA the living room! It's my hope we all learn from this family and invite those around us into our spirit filled bungalows, or in other words invite them to have the missionary lessons in our homes.
Finally allow me to speak to everyone again! The more we go out of our ways the better we are in the life to come. Allow ourselves to forget ourselves and charish that happiness in others. Christ admonishes us to not worry about anything of ourselves, but to "seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." I encourage you all to do the same to seek first the kingdom of God
Yesterday was a day to never be forgotten! A day that changed my life forever! I can not begin to explain the occurance of yesterday, and the words I use here will not do the Justice of what God has done! I will try my hardest to explain, but it is my hope that instead of focusing on these words you will focus on what God teaches you as you read.
God Works mighty miracles. What I am out here doing is God's work, not mine, I hope I never forget that. Pride NEVER gets anyone anywhere. As soon as you can learn that "this" (whatever this is for you is differnet for me and everyone else around you) is what God wants for us the quicker we can know the purpose of life; The quicker we learn that God's will brings joy; the quicker we learn joy; the quicker we can learn to have true joy; The quicker our will becomes God's will; The quicker we have the chance to help others reach salvation. It is my wish that everyone could experience what the spirit can teach us. I wish everyone could have stepped into my shoes last night. The true love for a family I have been teaching for some time here was manifested last night by the spirit! The Spirit Works Miracles! God Answers Prayers. God answered my prayers through this family! Constantly pray if you are prideful that pride might cease. I know God will humble you as He has me. He will put you through hell, pride might be lifted initially, but Pray and pride will fall. And when it does don't forget who caused that pride to cease: GOD. Humility Produces Miracles.
I figured ya'll must be tired of hearing about me. Allow the spirit to teach you as you read this touching story from my sister who is serving her mission in Atlanta Georgia! (Names have been changed)
One of my favorite experiences was with Amanda. We met her last week and invited her to church. Sister Amanda was sure that she was coming. We were sure she was too. She lives right in front of Sister Benson's, the home we meet in for church, so there are really little excuses to stop her from walking across the street for church. (I love that we meet in a home!) She did not come to church. Sister Crawford and I were sad about this because we were so sure she was coming. We decided to go see her Monday to see what happened and if we could help her in any way.
What we came upon when we went to Amanda's house was something we never expected. We pulled up and a young boy came out. It was her nephew, John. He told us to go in. We had only met her one or two times briefly so we did not feel comfortable to just walk in. We went up to the door and knocked. An even smaller child walked up to the door and waved us in. We knocked again. Someone much older then said what the two children had already told us-come in. When we walked in to the dimly light room there were couches and chairs set up against every wall of this spacious room. Not one spot was empty. there was a big TV but it was not on everyone was just talking. We glanced around then one of us said, "So We are joining the family today". One man got up and said sure have a seat. We looked for Sister Amanda. We saw her on the end of the room. She told us John's brother had died Sunday night and that she is struggling understanding some things. Why would God take such a young boy? He was only 20. and why would he take him right after his family started getting over the death of his mother about 2 years previously?
Her family started exclaiming that God knows all and that we should not question Him. Her "Evangelist" sister explained that there was not an answer. There discussion got pretty heated. I turned to my companion-who always knows what to do- and she was silent. I said Sister Lets pray. She said can we pray before any more discussion goes on. The uncle Brother Smith pointing at me he said "Her." They all stood up and held hands. (think I'll hold hands to pray when I get back. I kinda like it) I said a prayer in my heart for the spirit to guide me and then prayed out loud. When the prayer was over Sister Crawford asked to show them something on the computer. She pulled a video on Mormon.org that spoke about tragedy and feeling peace through the gospel.(I will let you know what video it was as soon as I find out) Most of the family left the room. Amanda must have needed to see this video on her own because the spirit was strong. We left her with the book of Mormon and another prayer and promised her peace as she read from it.
We were able to attend the funeral on Saturday. After the viewing of the body there was a grave site service where many churches were represented with song, sermons and scriptures. It gave me lots of pondering time. I feel so sad for those without the gospel in its fullness. They love Jesus Christ-there is no arguing about that but something is missing. I did not know quit how to put my finger on it until this mornings studies. Preach My Gospel has a quote from a prophet (sorry to be so vague I cant remember how or where) it says many can invite people to Christ but we, [as representatives of Christ] are the only ones who can show them the door to the Celestral Kingdom. This door is faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance or change, baptism by proper authority, the GIFT of the holy Ghost and Enduring or Enjoying to the end.
We have pretty much met all of the pastors and preachers of the area now. They are good men and women. Paster Steve in conversation at the funeral said "this is a reminder that we need not wait another day to do the lords work" One Evangelist related the Holy ghost to a car in front of you on the road. If you follow the car and don't speed around it then you have no need to fear. These are some of the great things that I have learned from the church leaders here but again, we are the only ones who can open the celestial door.
We also got to meet a less active man who is longing to come back. His wife is not a member but he served a mission and is excited to hear that we are having services in Cusseta now. Brother Jordan is another one of the children of God that gets me excited about this work. I am excited to see him and his wife come closer to that door of the celestial Kingdom.
Thank you all for reading some days I think more about ya'll when I write and others I just write. I hope it's not too wordy and that you Enjoyed not endured to the end :)
The Lord blesses us missionaries in so many weird ways. Today we are down in Columbia for a baptism and had planned to write our blogs and facebooks in the Columbia State College. For some odd reason the college is closed today. So we decide we will go to the county library. For some reason the library's computers are all broken :( Satan is trying his hardest to prevent us from helping those out with our blogs. We call up the columbia elders to find out how they are doing this. They tell us they are writing it down at Office Depot. We thought weird that is a store is there even email? Sure enough there is internet here and God blesses us so much! I love the missionary work. I love God!
People keep on telling me that i'm too Childesh. That I need to grow up. And i've realized in some aspects I do, but in other aspects we should never grow up! It reminds me of a song from Taylor Swift: "Oh, darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple" This is exactly what we should strive to be: Simple! Mosiah 3:19 teaches us scripturally that the more that we can put of the natural man and "never grow up" in some aspects of life the better off we will be. The more we can strive to humble ourselves as that child and to always listen to our Father and always remember our standards the better off we will be in life!
Since I have no clue what to write on today I figured why not put this post in the hands of God, since that is what I should be doing anyways. So who is God? To me God is our loving Heavenly Father who helps me out in times of need. My mom has been bugging me to share a story about how God has helped me on my mission that relates to Dogs. Now keep in mind that as I write this you are going to think this Elder Walker kid is CRAZY,,, but I swear... I am for one and two I just love God! So there I was Paris TN and my companion and I had been walking for quite sometime (we walked a lot!) A car then pulled up next to us and stopped us, our initial instinct was sweet teach them the Gospel, but this family seemed sad. So our next stupor of thought was "what is wrong?" They then asked us if we had seen a dog running around; They had lost their puppy. :( We let them know we haven't but took down their address and told them if we found the puppy we would let them know! So next we put things in God's hands since we recognized that we could never do anything on our own. It was only going to be with God's help that we would be able to help out that family! So we prayed with all diligence and all intentions that God would lead us to that dog! So as we stood from our prayer never before in my life have I heard so many dogs barking at one time! It was strange, it was as if the dogs knew that we were looking for a dog and they were going to make it as hard as possible for us to find that one dog we were searching for. Even with so many barking distractions we began our search for "The Dog." Following the guidance of the Spirit we were lead to the main street. On the corner there was a dog who is normally extra quite but this time he barked loudly at us. Barking and then pushing his head in a certain direction, we decided to have a little fun while searching for the dog so we followed the direction the dog was pointing... since everyone knows Dog's know where all their friends are... So we continued in the Direction the dog pointed us( of course if the Spirit hadn't said go that way too we wouldn't have, but it did so we went!) As we got to the bottom of the hill all the Dog's barks stopped with the exception of one dog that was near us. And we both stopped... that must be "the Dog." It felt as if to the both of us the dog's bark was a distinct "HELP" This led us to knock on the door of where the dog's bark came from. From this day I do not know what I said to the man, but he assured us that the dog in his backyard was his, so sadly we had not yet found "the Dog," However the owner of this dog soon became a new investigator! Meanwhile we went back to God and prayed on what we should do. Both of us felt as if everything would be okay and we should just move on to our appointments. As time went by and days passed we were prompted to go check up on the house since we had gotten their address. No answer. This left us confuzzled. Why would God want us to come here if they weren't even home. The best way to find out questions of this or any questions is to ask god! We were then prompted to knock at the neighbors door. As we did this the nicest lady answered the door and immediately let us in! We got to talking about this exact story when she started crying. It turns out she accidentally let the dog out and has felt bad ever since and was just hoping for God's help in finding the dog. She was so happy to hear that messengers of Christ had searched for the dog and knew that the dog was fine! Not but two days latter were we back over at her house when she again immediately let us in and affirmed the miracles of God. The dog was back and the neighbors had found him after a good amount of time searching. I know that God does work miracles. That his ways are not our ways, but that he will always bless us when we need it most. I am so grateful for God leading us to this great women and her strength in following God. God's Way to Eternal Life outlines for us really what God has planned for each of us. I hope each and everyone of you recognize God's power in your life!
Today was a Leadership Training and never before has the Spirit hit me as hard as it did today. Readers from back at home I hope that this will be efficient enough of a story to recognize what makes my life so tenacious. Readers who are seeking out the gospel I hope this gives you a glimpse into the life of a missionary. Today, as I said before was mind boggling! The Spirit was strong and truth was taught. Simplicity was key and learning how we must focus on everything the night before. It was a well meaningful training on the Doctrine of Christ, the Spirit, and how we must and can show our love for those learning of the Gospel!
To start things off I'd like to say how grateful I am for the Doctrine of Christ. How great it is to know without a shadow of my doubt that Christ taught his doctrine "that there there shall be no disputations among you"!(3 Nephi 11:28) It is my hope that as we ponder his Doctrine that we too can recognize his vision for us. I know that as I sat in Leadership training that I truly got a glimpse of what God has in store for me! It's amazing to be able to recognize the vision of God for those that you so dearly want to help come closer to Christ!
With this post however I want to focus more on the Spirit and how it works in us and how it worked in me during these Leadership Trainings! First the Spirit is a still small voice that comes to us in times of need. As I posted in an earlier blog, The Spirit, it is the comforter that acts as a fire to help us out in times of need. It is by the spirit that we may "know the truth of all things"(Moroni 10:5) Now many wonder how we might feel that still small voice, which a great and complex question. It comes to all of us in many different ways and the best way for me to help you understand how it might come to you is to explain how it came to me during the trainings today. Many times it's described as a burning in the bosom, a feeling of peace, a feeling of love, a feeling in general, but to me it comes differently. I can promise you that it will come differently to you as well. The only way to know when it comes though is to listen! As I sat in leadership training I did a lot of listening and pondering on how I could better those around me! Many times did things come to my mind and to my heart that I knew without a shadow of the doubt were things of God. It was simple, but yet so complex on how the spirit worked today. I listened and I received. I can promise that as we all Listen and ask God for our desires that blessings of heaven will be granted unto us! The Spirit Answers us as We LISTEN! I can not explain to you how he will speak to you, but I can tell you that he will speak to you. YOU JUST HAVE TO LISTEN. I know that as I listened today in the training that I was able to connect the dots for myself to really be able to help you out. I know that I am writing this for you, and that as you read this that you can know for yourself that these things are true. Just ask god! However God has always said that from the mouth of 2-3 witnesses shall my word be established so I ask you to read "If you Listen" by Elder Lindsay T. Dil and really contemplate the meaning of his words, "there is a difference between just feeling the Spirit and being able to recognize the Spirit and act upon it." I'd like to close these things with the utmost of love. I love you, I love that you took your time out of the day to read these truths. It is my hope that you recognize the spirit that is within these True Doctrines and that you too will act upon the things that are written! It will be my joy to someday communicate with those that are touched by this and be able to say in person "I love you" I hope that as you read this you have questions and that you can ask me. I am here to help you and it is my hope that I can help you out as much as I possibly can. It is my hope that I may listen to you and with the Holy Spirit be able to communicate with you to be able to bring us all closer to God our loving heavenly Father!
This blog is a blog for you my readers. I can write on and on about what I want to write about, but that won't accomplish nearly as good as writing about what ya'll want to hear about. Please give feedback and let me know what you as my readers want to hear about!?
Charity is the "Pure love of Christ". Just earlier today we had the oppurtunity to help someone move! Although it was a good distance from where we were at the time we never pass up service oppurtunities! Providing service blesses not only us but those that we help! I could go on and on about why I love charity so much but it wouldn't do the justice that this video does!
Someone amazing once said "A bad attitude makes for bad times being bad" It's all in the attitude! The more and more we face trials and are happy the more and more that we can recognize that the opposite of this statement is true as well! "A great attitude makes for bad times being great" Charlee a girl facing cancer at a young age never knew such a thing as being sad in the trials in here life. In the January, 2007 New Era article "A Girl Called "Nine"" Charlee expresses the perfect example on how we should act when hard times hit us. This touching story recounts her tough times battling with cancer. Throughout her trial she never bats an eye of sadness. She is a joy to all those around her no matter what the struggle. I have recognized in my life, and especially right now out on the mission that in order to really show those around me that I love and care for them all it takes is a smile. Smile more, don't worry about the stress in life. In Finding Joy in the Journey, a Talk given by President Monson in the October 2008 general conference, the Prophet expresses the importance of living a grateful attitude in time of stress so perfectly when he says:
"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” 3 We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.
Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.” 4"
As the great Psalmist has so perfectly put it "Don't Worry, Be HAPPY"
This morning as I pondered what to study I picked up an old ensign from February of 2001. Within it the article "Turn Here" caught my attention! A wonderful story on how a mothers prayer saved the life of her son! It reminded me of the story of Alma the younger. Alma's father grieved for the salvation of his son who went about as the "most vilest of sinners!" There was nothing more than a prayer from Alma that changed the life for his son! Parents recognize the importance of prayer in your lives for your children! A prayer to God never seizes to create miracles. Now I couldn't end this blog without relating a story to the children as well. within that same February Ensign was another touching story on prayer. Within the article "Go Check on Wendy" by Darlene Joy Nichols we can recognize the importance of a child's prayer. No matter how young, no matter how small a prayer to God helps us all!
"The Spirit of God, like a fire is burning" Never has such a phrase echoed the purpose of the Spirit more than the first line of The Spirit of God" hymn 2 in the LDS hymnal. "The Spirit of God, LIKE A FIRE IS BURNING" These simple words echoed over and over again establish the purpose of the Spirit to burn like a fire within each of hearts. Hearing this brings me back to the good ol' camp fires on the beach and just really being able to feel the warmth of that burning fire. The Spirit works in the same way within my heart and I love it! It is that comfort to each of us in hard times in our coldest hours, just as the fire is a comfort to us in that cold weather! I encourage each and every one you to take Moroni's promise to heart so that you too can feel that fire burning with in your heart, that comfort to us all in hard times.I hope that you might be able to find the joy that so many others have been able to find! I exhort you to read the Book of Mormon and to ponder it and then to kneel down and pray, ask God the source of all our answers. On the basis you do these things I promise you will feel "The Spirit of God, Like a fire is burning"
While reading this morning in the New Era I came to this article! I'd exhort you to read it and let me know what you think! I realize it isn't Christmas time right now, however I don't think the gift of Charity is something that should just be reserved for Christmas. Moroni 7:45-47 teaches us how important Charity is! It's the pure love of Christ. It will never parish and will always bring happiness into our souls. Allow me to relate this to a story of my own while out here on the mission. For Christmas my parents sent out Toy Story 3 so we could watch it for New Years as our one G rated film (as missionaries in the TNM we were privileged to watch a G rated movie this last new years!)! However since it is not a normal occurrence to be able to watch movies as a missionary I would have had to send the DVD home after I was done. In the couple following weeks I hadn't had the chance or money to send the DVD home and that's when it hit me, instead of keeping it for myself I would give the DVD to a wonderful family with Children. The family I chose to give it to has an autistic child and 2 other younger children both under the age of 12. The joy and happiness on their faces are unmeasurable by any temporal blessing in life. The love they expressed back can not be duplicated it could just simply be described as the pure love of Charity!
