Finding Relief

Missionary work is tricky; it's plain confusing! I can't count the days I've come home with all of my mental energies utterly exhausted. We have problems to solve, concerns to resolve, rules to keep, the list goes on and on. And frankly, it's just really hard.

Last night I came home to the best package ever. Upon request, my wonderful mother had sent my very favorite shoes: an old pair of red Vans. I immediately slipped my feet into the well broken-in canvas and breathed a sigh of ultimate satisfaction. Now, these shoes have no glitter or sparkling appeal, no built in stereo or jet pack; they are just plain old shoes. Oscer Wilde perfectly describes the appeal of such understated treasures:

"I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex."

Life is, and always will be, complicated and complex. Let us look for the simple pleasures in our lives that offer relief.

One of my greatest reliefs from life's complications is The Book of Mormon (yes, even more than my red Vans). Without fail, opening the pages of this book offers an escape from the world. The Spirit of God enters my heart within seconds and I find myself breathing easier, relaxing my mind, and letting go of my cares.

http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon/

Forget Me Not

"It is my prayer and blessing that you will never forget that you are truly precious daughter in God's kingdom...The five petals of the little forget-me-not flower prompt me to

consider five things we would be wise never to foget..."

1. Forget not to be patient with yourself:

God is fully aware that you and i are not perfect...many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionat and patient with yourself.

2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice:

An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up soemthing good for something of far greater worth.

3. Forget not to be happy now:

So many people today are waiting for their golden ticket - the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamd about...There is nothing wrong with righteous yearning...the problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event...to appear. Dont close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day's ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.

4. Forget not the "why" of the gospel:

The "why" of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic. it magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration.

5. Forget not that the Lord loves you:

Just think of it: you are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe!...God loves you because you are His child.

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Happy Thanksgiving

I feel like my heart it overflowing with gratitutude this Thanksgiving! My thoughts are turned toward my friends, my family, the wonderful people I teach, but more than anything, they are turned toward Heavenly Father. He has been so aware of me these last several months and I sure hope He knows how thankful I am.

What a wonderful time of year to ponder on the things that make us so happy.

This year I am most grateful for my family. Even though i can't be with them during the holidays, they are close to my heart and I feel their love and prayers more than ever before! 

  I'm grateful for my companion! She is my best friend and truely a daily blessing.

The blessings of the temple are more than I can express.

One of the greatest blessings of my mission has been very special people. Kevin and Michelle are some of my greatest friends. Two of the most special days of my life were when these incredible individuals made the decision to be baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!



Qualify

My zone leaders called a few nights ago and asked me to give a short devotional on how to invite more people to be baptized. I spent the next few hours thinking, "well...if there was a magic solution, I would probably know it". In reality, there is nothing magic about sharing the gospel; just hard work and a whole lot of help from the Lord.

Each time an individual partakes of the gospel through baptism it is a miracle, and miracles only come from one source: God. Unfortunately, He doesn't just hand out these mircales like Halloween candy. From my limited experience, He expects us to show our faith in Him before He blesses us, but then He does so freely. We don't earn or secure miracles for ourselves and we definitely don't "deserve" them, but what we can do is qualify for them.

Seeking creative and coming up a bit short, I did my best to churn out an alliteration:



Why?

In my email from home this week my parents told me about the loss of a dear family friend. My thoughts have been turned to this incredible man's family. A tragic loss isn't something we understand well until we experience it; but, trials are familiar to us all. It's tempting to ask "WHY". Why would God allow such seemingly unbearable experiences?

I probably haven't had my fair share of unbearable trials, but as I've faced the ones that I have been given, I often turn to the words of the hymn "How Firm A Foundation".

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow;                               

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design,

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."

Why does God allow trials?

I believe He puts them in our life as sacred gifts that are finely tailored to make us what He wants us to be; He sanctifies and blesses our trials because they consume our weaknesses and make us like Him. 

So, next time I think I just can't take it anymore, I will remember that the flames won't hurt me, the rivers of sorrow won't overflow, and I will fall to my knees in thanks for the blessing of a trial.

"The Dark Abyss"

A few days ago Sister V and I decided we would put all of our mail from the week in a very special box and save it all to be opened on Sundays. There is a plethera of reasons for this "mail fast", but mostly we just needed a way to stay better focused on our missionary work throughout the week.

Yesterday was to be the first day of our fast. Unfortunately it had been a particularly long one, and a fresh letter from the west sounded ever so inviting. So, after we recorded our miles in the car and drug our backpacks from the back seat, we looked at each other and mutually decided that the whole "not opening mail" thing could wait for a few more days.

We hopped, skipped, and actually jumped to the mail room. We just KNEW there would be at least one treasure waiting!

We carefully counted, down 7 mailboxes and over 7 mailboxes, until the key smoothly slid into the lock. I help my breath as Sister V turned the key and opened the door to reveal 5 beautifully postaged letters! Oh! what HAPPINESS!!!! I think they were gleaming as she reached in her hand to retreave what would provide at least 20 minutes of pure joy! We could forget all of the cancelled appointments and ancle biting dogs for the whole day, even our whole missions; because,

WE HAD MAIL!

And gleaming those letters were! I waited anxiously, even shifting from one foot to the other, as I waited for Sister V's hand come back from the mailbox. Her hand went in a little farther, then even farther, until her whole arm was in the mailbox up to her shoulder! As unatural as this seemed, I took no thought because I was positive at least 2 of those blessed envelopes were addressed in my name! Until I saw the look on my dear, sweet companions face.

"The letters are gone..."

We squatted down next to each other and peered into our now vacant mail box. Upon closer examination, we realized that our sweet mail had fallen into oblivion (that weird place behind the mailboxes).

Oh, the dissapointment, the defeat, the DEVESTATION! There was only one option...

The Sticky-Note of Desperation!

With only one day of anxiety, our mail was prompty replaced in the mailbox to be retreaved with utter satisfaction!

The moral of the story:

When you make a comittment to Heavenly Father, especially when you are seeking certain blessings, it's a good idea to stick to it.

Those 5 precious letters are now safely stowed in our very special box and will remain there until Sunday.

Looked at your foundation lately? Take a minute...

"How Firm A Foundation"

Truth



There is no greater truth than that spoken of by the Savior: “And ye shall know the truth,  and the truth shall make you free"(John 8:32), and, He continues, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6), and “Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:37).

All who seek to rise above themselves must make a humble and honest inquiry to determine where truth lies: an inquiry in their hearts as well as in their minds and in their lives. May each of us consciously seek to know the truths of God and to courageously live those truths in love and thanksgiving.

James E. Faust