1. For the last 3 weeks I have been fighting a really good cold, sinus headache, and cough. Some days I have just felt crappy, but I have still tried to "plug on". This last Wed. our cute quadriplegic elder, Elder W., went with his grandpa to give a fellow a blessing. Now Elder W. can only move his right thumb and index finger. He has MS and has to have his grandpa place his hands on someone's head. As he was moving his electric wheelchair into position so he could participate, the wheel chair started to move. He told grandpa to grab his arm. As grandpa did so, he heard a loud pop. The next day Elder W. complained that he was sore so they took Elder W. to the dr. He has a broken humorous bone. The break is a longitudinal break that extends from the "ball" of his shoulder all the way down through the bone. He now has a soft cast on from his shoulder to his wrist. But you know what, NEVER does Elder W. complain. And, he went right back to work using his two fingers to pass along media referrals to the missionaries. In the year that I have known Elder W., he has never had the flu or a cold or been sick. He personally credits that Heavenly Father is watching over him. I guess my cold and sinus infection really is no big deal after all. Sometimes I forget that Heavenly Father is watching over me as well.
2. Today I taught the investigator class in Sunday School. The brethren were in a special priesthood meeting so there were only a few women in class. One woman was Sister H. Dille. She had a baby boy in Oct. I had crocheted her a baby bib and gave her a few baby rompers. I thought she was a member of the church and that her husband was a non member. It is just the opposite. As I came to church today, she invited Elder Lund and I to attend her baptism on Saturday. Today, in church, they gave her husband the opportunity of being a priest so that he can baptize her. This sounds good doesn't it? In class, she expressed that she had to go to Court tomorrow for something she was caught doing....I don't know what it is, but she mentioned that perhaps her baptism will need to be put off because she might be sentenced to jail. She mentioned that the "crime" carries a 0-5 years in jail sentencing, at point of the mountain prison, and she was hoping that the judge would be lenient and not send her to prison. Ugh! My heart just hurts for her! Tomorrow I will be at the 5th district court to be there with her. She literally has no one to take care of her new baby and her 2 year old. I then reflected again on how this sister is trying to change her ways and teach her children about Christ and his plan, and how Satan just happens to throw "jail" in the way. She is in my thoughts and prayers. I am grateful to each of you for your continued support to me.
3. Today, we went to church and as we went in to Sacrament Meeting, there on the stand was Elder L. Tom Perry. Can you believe that? Dick and I have been so amazed that we have been in so many different situations these last 12 months where we have been directly taught by a general authority about the things we are to do. Today, Elder Perry talked about his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He mentioned that many churches in the world today are looking to our church for leadership. He boldly and strongly testified that it is time that we stand up and be recognized for who we are and the blessings that we are receiving. Just as the title of liberty in the Book of Mormon called for members to stand up and be recognized, we too need to stand up. He stated, we do not belong to a church of a man, rather, we belong to the Church of Jesus Christ. He then quoted Pres. Monsen and what he said in General Conference: "Although the world has changed, the laws of God remain constant. They have not changed, they will not change." He stated. "God's code of conduct is non-negotiable. Fear thou not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, stand nobly, and boldly, knowing that Jesus Christ stands at the head of this church. It is the Savior's church...God lives and Jesus in the Christ and we are his children if we follow him and make Him a part of our life."
He had humor mixed in with his strong testimony. He said recently he had lunch with Bill Marriott and he said, "I have a problem. Everyone that comes to my hotels takes a Book of Mormon with them. I can't keep them in my hotels."
He then said, we need to follow Christ as the head of this church. He gave us the gift of immortality and eternal life and only through him can our destiny be accomplished.
I felt so impressed by Elder Perry's bold, strong testimony of Jesus Christ and as he spoke and quoted Pres. Monsen I felt prompted that we all need to go to our new Ensign and read the words of Pres. Monsen once more, especially his talk in the Priesthood Session.
My thoughts today are that Elder Lund and I have been so fortunate to be taught by these witnesses of God and Jesus Christ. We are being taught what we should be doing in these latter-days. We believe that as we are being taught, we need to share these things with you, and teach you as well. Today, it was discussed in D & C 43: starting with verse 8 that God has a pattern for his people in the latter-days. We are to instruct and edify each other that we will know how to act upon the points of the law. Then, through the Holy Ghost, we will be sanctified as we "act" and bind ourselves to the Lord. We need to read, study, come to church, be active, follow the spirit of the Holy Ghost, help and lift others, and as we do these things, glories will be added to us. If we don't do the things we know, and we shut off the promptings of the Holy Ghost, then we will loose blessings in this life and the Holy Ghost will not be with us.
We feel so blessed to be serving as missionaries at this time. We share in the joys of the gospel moving forward, and lives changing, and individuals coming to Christ and recognizing that it is through Him that they receive peace and happiness (as was Stephanie and Isaac being baptized this week). We sorrow as we feel the pain of people recognizing that choices made from their own agency brings pain into their lives, such as Sister D. having to go be sentenced tomorrow. We are filled with hope as we see them accept responsibility for their actions and work through the process of repentance and apply the atonement in their lives. They are examples to each of us. We renew our testimonies as we attend funerals (Aunt Betty's was yesterday) and we stand with loved ones firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we rejoice in the plan of salvation. We thrill to hear latter-day prophets, such as hearing Elder Perry today, stand and bear strong, fearless testimonies of the God, Jesus Christ our Savior, and of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. We feel love, as we realize each of you are praying for us. This gospel of Jesus Christ is true and I pray that I might always be valiant in this testimony.These are a few of the things I am thankful for this year. I love you all.
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