Madeleine



Growing up, I had this great friend, Madeleine.  I remember playing school with her a lot.  One of us would be the teacher, and one would be the student.  I was usually the student.  During one summer, we put our teaching skills to the test.   

The two of us during the awkward phase of Middle School

Young Women's Girls Camp in 2005

With flyers in hand, we walked around the street to all of the parents who had young kids.  We offered to teach their children and hold a "Day Camp" with them.  I don't remember exactly what we taught, or who even came, but I remember it was a lot of fun.  Even though she was a few months younger than me, she taught me a lot.  Some days I didn't want her to teach me anything-but I learned that everything she said was valid-it all made sense! 

I was a messy kid.  My mom would gladly invite Madeleine over to help me clean my room-because she was just SO good at teaching me how to clean!  One day I was too tired to clean, and she said, "You can make your room look cleaner if you make your bed and close your closet door!"  So we made my bed, and closed the closet door.  My mom came in and checked on the room.  Though it wasn't perfect, it looked a lot better. 

Fast forward about 10 years... 

Madeleine and Me September of 2009

The other day I rolled out of bed and said my morning prayers.  I then proceeded to get ready for the day.  As we were getting ready to leave our house, I looked into our room and saw my bed was not made.  It was a sloppy mess of comforter and sheets!   It was like I heard a little voice in my mind..."You can make your room look cleaner if you make your bed..."  Madeleine's voice chimed in at the perfect moment.  I smiled.  Then I remembered the rest of her advice, "And close your closet door!"  I then walked over and closed the closet.  Our room DID look much cleaner! 

The prophets have taught that the things we learn as a child will stick with us for years to come.  Many times I think we assume those are things we learn from our parents.  However, things we learn from our friends will create lifelong habits. 

 I'm grateful to Madeleine for teaching me the lifelong habit of doing the little things to improve the bigger picture.  God bless you!

One Stitch at a Time

I live a simple life. 

Wake up at 6:30.  Exercise.  Get ready.  Eat.  Study at 8:00.  Study with my missionary companion at 9:00.  Leave by 10:00.  Work.  Eat.  Work.  Eat.  Work. Come home.  Plan by 9:30.  Sleep. 

I live a simple life. 

However, the things I witness everyday are not simple.  Each day I am responsible for helping others come closer to Christ.  A few weeks ago, we met a woman who had a strong desire to follow her Savior. 

It was not easy.  The adversary knew how to pull her down.  Satan repeatedly tried to distract her from the things that were the most important.  But she knew what she must do.

She needed to continue to do the simple things. 

As she did the simple and small things, like reading her scriptures daily, saying her prayers--her life became complete.  She bonded with her Father in Heaven.  It was a miracle to watch her heart change.  Her life was suddenly filled with love and light.  She smiled all the time and prayed humbly.  I'm so gratefulI to have met this woman.  She has filled my heart with so much gratitude for my Heavenly Father.  I love her.  And I know the Lord loves her too. 

The gospel is like sewing.  You can't just throw fabric in a pile, mix it up, and pull a shirt out like magic.  You must cut the fabric, pin it together, and one stitch at a time, sew the materials to make a complete clothing article. 

As you slowly lead the thread with the needle, the fabric bonds together. 

As the Lord leads us through life, we become bonded to Him.  "That we may be one." (3 Nephi 19:23)

It's the simple things that bond us to our Father.  It is the simple things that will lead us back home to us.  As we stitch our lives in harmony with the Savior, the seams will be unbreakable.

The more simply I live, the more I focus on God.  The more I focus on God, the more I am aware of His divine hand in my life.  This is just one of the many examples of "by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass."  (Alma 37:6)

I am a missionary and disciple of Jesus Christ. 

And I live a simple life. 

O Lord, My God

I have a deep love for the Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma.  I have never worshipped Joseph-I only worship my Heavenly Father and His son, our redeeming Savior.  But I do revere Joseph Smith as one of the greatest men to ever have lived.  His sacrifice and testimony were sealed with his blood.

"On the afternoon of June 27, 1844, the little group of brethren sat silent and disconsolate in the jail. One of the men asked Elder Taylor, who had a rich tenor voice, to sing to them. Soon his voice was raised: 'A poor wayfaring Man of grief hath often crossed me on my way, who sued so humbly for relief that I could never answer nay.' ² Elder Taylor recollected that the hymn 'was very much in accordance with our feelings at the time for our spirits were all depressed, dull and gloomy.' ³

"Shortly after five o’clock in the afternoon, a large group of attackers stormed the jail, firing their guns at the men inside. Within a few minutes, the foul deed was done. Hyrum Smith was shot first and died almost immediately. Elder Richards miraculously received only a superficial wound; and Elder Taylor, though severely wounded, survived and later became the third President of the Church. The Prophet Joseph ran to the window and was fatally shot. The Prophet of the Restoration and his brother Hyrum had sealed their testimonies with their blood."

Quote Reference:
http://lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-joseph-smith/chapter-46-the-martyrdom-the-prophet-seals-his-testimony-with-his-blood?lang=eng&query=martyrdom+Joseph+Smith#2-36481_000_050

Ready, Aim, FIRE!!!!

Our Zone theme for this transfer is "Fire".  Our great Zone Leaders made our entire zone Planner Covers.  They've been a great reminder to keep the fire going in the missionary work. 

Sometimes it's hard to keep the fire going.  Some days, I'm so worn out, so tired, that all I want to do is crawl into my bed and sleep.  Some days are so frustrating, as I watch those I love reject the gospel truths.  The turmoil eats at me, and diminishes my fire. 

As we were presented with this theme earlier this week, I've thought, "How can I keep my fire bright?"  I've come to a few conclusions. 

First, I have to focus my thoughts.  If my thoughts are resting on loved ones back at home, then I'm not focusing on my loved ones whom I'm serving.  If my mind wanders to things that don't pertain to gospel matters, then again, I'm losing an opportunity to learn by the spirit.  And if I can't learn by the spirit, how can I teach with the spirit?

"... And witnesed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments... and have recieved the baptism of fire... and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels..."

If I keep my Father's commandments, then I will be able to speak with the tongue of angels.  A tongue so powerful, that it is like fire. 

Which comes to my second conclusion on how to keep my fire bright.  I must be obedient.  When I get on my knees each morning in prayer, I must pray with more diligence.  When I study the Book of Mormon and other scriptures, I must hold them as the sacred words that they truly are. 

I know that as I strive to keep my fire alive, that my life, as well as those I teach, will be blessed.  Because I am trying to follow my Heavenly Father.

Blessed Art Thou

When King Lamoni is falls to the earth after receiving a witness that the Gospel is True, many in his household believe he is dead.  His loving wife calls Ammon to the her husbands bed-side.  "I would that ye should go in and see my husband, for he has been laid upon his bed for the space of two days and two nights; and some say that he is not dead, but others say that he is dead..." 

Ammon does just as the Queen requests.  He goes to the King's side, and sees him lying there, sleeping.  He tells the queen not to worry, because he will wake up in the morning.  Ammon asks the Queen if she believes his words.  She replies that she believes.  What faith!

"Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee woman, there has not been such great fiath among all the people of the Nephites." 

After receiving this power promise from a man of God, she follows through with her faith.  "She watched over the bed of her husband."  She did not leave his side.  A loving wife in complete anguish from feeling as if she had lost all that was dear to her-pleads with the a servant of the Lord to give her hope.  This undoubting wife, and charitable daughter of God knew where her duty was, and she rose to the call immediately.  And there she stayed until her husband awoke the following morning. And when her husband, King Lamoni opened his eyes, he immediately reached out for her hand, for I'm sure it was not far from him, and exlaimed, "Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou."  She watched over him during her own dreaded hour.  I'm sure many sacred unwritten prayers were uttered from her lips as she awaited, with hope, her affliction. 

Accident

This morning we received a voice mail.  It came just a few minutes after we had woken up, which means it's probably pretty important.  I was lying on the ground, doing sit ups, when over the voicemail we were informed by the Assistants that an accident had occurred.  Two Elders in our mission, Elder Walker and Elder Corbridge were involved in a car accident. I'm not sure of any details, but anyone who reads this, please pray for our two Elders to have a quick and simple recovery so they can return to their missionary work.  We've been informed that they are doing well.  We are so grateful for that.  Please pray for their continued recovery.

I'm grateful for the protection we receive as missionaries.  I know, that as long as we are obedient, we are protected with the safety that the Lord needs us to have in order to bring this great work forward.  I'm happy that these two Elders have been hard workers.  I am thrilled that they have been obedient and therefore, protected during their car accident. 

What a blessing it is to know that we have a Redeemer who is watching over them!  I know that our Savior and our Heavenly Father are with them, comforting them, and also comforting their families as they are away from home serving the Lord.