Hello Again! WOW! P-day again.
Todays p-day was so great. We went to Avilon Zoo as a zone today! I was able to feed aralpaima fish! They were maybe 5-6 feet long and only eat meat/blood! We fed them chicken heads! It was so cool. I'm really sad that I'm not able to send pictures....but, I was also able to take a picture with a monkey named Trixy. She held my hand and even kissed my cheek. It was SO cool!! Then I pet a tiger, yep, the cages are that close, and they arent like our tigers in the zoo back home where they just sit and are boring. They were up and playing and would talk to us!!!:)
So there were some other really good things that happened this past week and other not so good...not so good first. One of our less actives has been really sick and just found out that she has breast cancer so if I may I would ask that you keep her in your prayers! She is such an inspiration though. She told us that "she knows Heavently Father will not put you through anything that we can not handle."
Now for the good things....Elder Shane Bowen from the seventies came to visit our mission this last week and gave some amazing talks. We discussed the oath and the covenant of the Priesthood, the Abrahamic covenant and so forth and we talked a lot about who we are. He said that he believes that when we remember who we are we will act differently. To illustrate this he talked about fleas....crabs...and a runner. He told us how fleas, like the ones you find on dogs, do not crawl or run, they jump. If you put them in a jar with no lid they will jump out. But... if you put them in a jar with a lid they will eventually learn to jump just below the lid..he then talked about how when you catch crabs you can put them all in one bowl and they wont get out because the crabs will pull each other down. Then he talked about the runner who broke the 4 minute mile... At the time even doctors said it wasn't possible.
As people we will often look at others and copy what they do...if someone thinks that this is the best they can do then otheres will only reach that height. Along with all the other runners..until the record was broken. After the record was broken many people have been able to get even better times...the secret...its all in your head...it all in what we want to do....whether we believe in ourselves and have faith or we dont... he challenged everyone to repent and to gain a better view of who they can become and the things that they can do..
After conference Elder Bowen, his wife, President Bertin and his wife, and the AP"S came to our apartment to just look around and what not....President Bertin before they left offered a prayer and then something special happened....They paused before they left then offered us an invitation and a challenge. They asked if we 4 sister would be willing to change our mission.. To set the standard higher and to become like the runner...YIKES!!! This is a disciple of Christ personally inviting me in my apartment to break records....Of course I said yes!!
This means that we will be talking and contacting more then 20 people a day....planning more effectively and waking up just a little earlier.. But the extra work will only bring extra blessings!!
I'm excited for the challenge. There you go! Just a little insight into my week
Well I hope you are all having a great week and things are gong great Remember Heavently Father loves you and is proud of you!!
Monday, August 18, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Whats your VISION
This letter is about creating a vision, for ourselves, our families, or any other situation or group you may be in. The word vision means "to see a future state; to see the end from the beginning" So when we create our vision we must know what, or who we want to become what do we want our lives to become? Then we must visualize our road map and identify key events and types of people that we need in order to accomplish this vision. In Isaiah 40:31 we learn of some things we must do and include in our vision. 1) we must "wait" upon the Lord the footnote says. It teaches us that we must hope for or anticipate his will or to know His will for us. 2) We must then "mount up with wings as eagles" I'm sure this could be interrupted many different ways bot for me it means take your vision and direction from the Lord and run with it! We must do all that we can to make the vision happen. Nephi and his brothers had a goal/vision. When they went back to Jerusalem to get the plates plan A didn't work so they had to go all the way to plan C.
Alma was commanded to preach the gospel in Ammoniaha. His first plan failed but he didn't give up. He went back by a different way, met Amulek and baptized many. Through these examples we see that when it is inspired of the Lord and we do our VERY BEST, we will succeed. However KIng Soloman has v=given us a warning about what will happen if we dont create or have a vision. In proverbs 29:18 "where there is no vision, the people perish."
So I took the time to do a lifttle self reflection and I created a vision fo my life. To share just a few goals, I want to always have family prayer, I want to be organized and I want to be physically fit. All these things I can work on and prepare for now. They wont magically come when I go home, when I have my own family or anyghing else. Wemust work our plan now. "Prepare for tomorrow by working today."
So What is your Vision?
I love you all so much and I hope all is well on that side of the world.Life continues over herel the work is progressing and blessings are being manifested.
"No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing"
Love you!
Alma was commanded to preach the gospel in Ammoniaha. His first plan failed but he didn't give up. He went back by a different way, met Amulek and baptized many. Through these examples we see that when it is inspired of the Lord and we do our VERY BEST, we will succeed. However KIng Soloman has v=given us a warning about what will happen if we dont create or have a vision. In proverbs 29:18 "where there is no vision, the people perish."
So I took the time to do a lifttle self reflection and I created a vision fo my life. To share just a few goals, I want to always have family prayer, I want to be organized and I want to be physically fit. All these things I can work on and prepare for now. They wont magically come when I go home, when I have my own family or anyghing else. Wemust work our plan now. "Prepare for tomorrow by working today."
So What is your Vision?
I love you all so much and I hope all is well on that side of the world.Life continues over herel the work is progressing and blessings are being manifested.
"No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing"
Love you!
LIfe long friends
What an interesting week this has been yet again!
So....My whole time here in the Philippines, learning Tagalog I've never really said anything that has been completely wrong and embarrassing. Yes I get grammar wrong and words mixed up and what not but nothing super embarrassing....until last week! So Sister Mole and I went to the salon to get our hair cut...well she ended up coloring her hair and I had time to wait so the lady talked me into getting a manicure and pedicure. So we were all sitting there chatting and one of the guys that worked there was a former investigator where he lives so he knows a lot about the church. The lady asked if I would like some coffee to which he quickly told her that it wasn't allowed!....That got us on the topic of the Word of Wildon and what we choose not to eat and drink...well he asked me if "sister"meaning sister Mole ate something........I thought he asked if we eat our sisters...as in do we eat people...oh my! We had a good laugh!
There are 4 sisters who stay in our one apartment and Sister Basulgan usually cooks for us, but she has asked us to help out by cooking a meal or two each week...They wanted American..so I made BBQ Pork...Can you get much more American then that!! And they made me giggle, they walked up to the table that had the pork, hamburger buns, and chips and asked, "Wheres the rice?" And they werent joking! They were very confused as to why there was no rice. But youknow what?! Ther were actually full even though there was no rice.
We had a really great week for finding new people to teach. We received a referral for a young lady named Michelle. She is 22 years old, has a 5 year old who is staying with her parents in Province since she is here taking care of 2 elderly ladies..We invited her to come to church this Sunday and she said that she would. And what do you know! She showed up before we did. But she loved it ans said that she can relate to everything that was being presented, she even shed a few tears. But I talked to her about the people she is taking care of and what kind of illness they hat because she mentioned that they have to go to Dialysis, and what would you guess..They have kidney failure and do dialysis 2 times a week for 4 hours at a time! This truly is a samll world and we all have experiences in our life so that we can help others in thier trials! Sometimes theyjust arent as apparent as this. I am so excited to get to know these amazing people better. I can feel we are gonna be lfe long friends! Its amazing how someone can automatically have a special place in your heart just because someone else who is special is already there!
I love being a missionary and seeing how the gospel truly is for everyone. And when someone comes unto Christ their world is immediately changes! (Mosiah 2, Book of Mormon) So if you need help, feel lost and in the dark, just turn on the light of the restored gospel!
I love you all, Have a great week and for everyone gong back to school...study hard, learn lots and NEVER forget who you are!
So....My whole time here in the Philippines, learning Tagalog I've never really said anything that has been completely wrong and embarrassing. Yes I get grammar wrong and words mixed up and what not but nothing super embarrassing....until last week! So Sister Mole and I went to the salon to get our hair cut...well she ended up coloring her hair and I had time to wait so the lady talked me into getting a manicure and pedicure. So we were all sitting there chatting and one of the guys that worked there was a former investigator where he lives so he knows a lot about the church. The lady asked if I would like some coffee to which he quickly told her that it wasn't allowed!....That got us on the topic of the Word of Wildon and what we choose not to eat and drink...well he asked me if "sister"meaning sister Mole ate something........I thought he asked if we eat our sisters...as in do we eat people...oh my! We had a good laugh!
There are 4 sisters who stay in our one apartment and Sister Basulgan usually cooks for us, but she has asked us to help out by cooking a meal or two each week...They wanted American..so I made BBQ Pork...Can you get much more American then that!! And they made me giggle, they walked up to the table that had the pork, hamburger buns, and chips and asked, "Wheres the rice?" And they werent joking! They were very confused as to why there was no rice. But youknow what?! Ther were actually full even though there was no rice.
We had a really great week for finding new people to teach. We received a referral for a young lady named Michelle. She is 22 years old, has a 5 year old who is staying with her parents in Province since she is here taking care of 2 elderly ladies..We invited her to come to church this Sunday and she said that she would. And what do you know! She showed up before we did. But she loved it ans said that she can relate to everything that was being presented, she even shed a few tears. But I talked to her about the people she is taking care of and what kind of illness they hat because she mentioned that they have to go to Dialysis, and what would you guess..They have kidney failure and do dialysis 2 times a week for 4 hours at a time! This truly is a samll world and we all have experiences in our life so that we can help others in thier trials! Sometimes theyjust arent as apparent as this. I am so excited to get to know these amazing people better. I can feel we are gonna be lfe long friends! Its amazing how someone can automatically have a special place in your heart just because someone else who is special is already there!
I love being a missionary and seeing how the gospel truly is for everyone. And when someone comes unto Christ their world is immediately changes! (Mosiah 2, Book of Mormon) So if you need help, feel lost and in the dark, just turn on the light of the restored gospel!
I love you all, Have a great week and for everyone gong back to school...study hard, learn lots and NEVER forget who you are!
Monday, August 4, 2014
I don't know Heavenly Fathers plan for me....but
Hello again,
Email time just seems to go by to fast! I don't get enough time to write anything good! Our workshop is the workshop President gives the missionaries going home since they are going home....the workshop....about families and finding an eternal companion. Needless to say we were all a bit trunks! But we quickly got over it.
So he first started talking about the creation and how the earth was truly made for us to come and create families. Then we talked a bit about how important family sis..and we can see how important family is because of the greatness of Satans fight against it. Some ideas given was same sex marriage, the degradation of the importance of children, the attitude of spouses to one another, shellfish ness, and the pleasures of the world and then the kicker, hanging out! You know, having personally gone through the affects of Satans temptations I can say just how powerful and harsh they are, and they aren't going to stop!
President Hinckley once said that Satans attack is now on the family! Why? Besides Christ, family is central to his plan. We see many ways satan is attacking the family, but as eternal law requires there is equal and greater tools and happiness available to families! Like prayer, family home evening, making and keeping covenants, being honest, setting family goals, clinging (not just holding) onto your spouse, and allowing him in your daily life!
We examine the examples of Nephi and his family!they went back to Jerusalem to get wives (Nephi 7:1) and they even had weddings! (Nephi 16). Then the big day came when Nephi was done building the ship and they set sail to "the promised land". As the scriptures tell in Nephi 18:9 Laman, Lemuel, and their wives began to make themselves merry and became exceedingly rude. They even bound up Nephi to eventually lol him. This is when we see the faith and love of his sweet wife in verse 19. It says that not even tears and prayers of his wife and children could soften their hearts! Nephi was, "large in stature" obviously a faithful, righteous man. What kind of person was his wife? Did she honor the priesthood? Support her husband in his calling and seek help from The Lord? It seems to be this way! Nephi got the kind of wife that was comparative to himself....Laman and Lemuel as well. So.....what kind of person do you want to marry? Or if you are already married what kind of relationship do you want to have?
I know I am not married yet but I have seen lots of examples of how a good relationship works and how a not so good one works and the good and especially best relationships aren't easy and they include 3people ALWAYS, the husband, the wife, and Heavenly FatherM. We must always rely on him to lead and guide us.
I am so grateful for my family. I know I knew them before we came to this earth and I pray every night that we may each become worthy to continue our journey together as an Eternal FamilyM. It is absolutely possible. We were once broken but by carefully applying the teachings of Jesus Christ and using the atonement we have found happiness and hope for a brighter future. The family truly is central to his plan and there is a way to be sure of an eternal companion and to know how to raise families in this ever changing and dangerous world. But as with all the commandments of god we must first exercise faith! I don't know Heavenly Fathers plan for me after my mission but I'm excited to find out!
Email time just seems to go by to fast! I don't get enough time to write anything good! Our workshop is the workshop President gives the missionaries going home since they are going home....the workshop....about families and finding an eternal companion. Needless to say we were all a bit trunks! But we quickly got over it.
So he first started talking about the creation and how the earth was truly made for us to come and create families. Then we talked a bit about how important family sis..and we can see how important family is because of the greatness of Satans fight against it. Some ideas given was same sex marriage, the degradation of the importance of children, the attitude of spouses to one another, shellfish ness, and the pleasures of the world and then the kicker, hanging out! You know, having personally gone through the affects of Satans temptations I can say just how powerful and harsh they are, and they aren't going to stop!
President Hinckley once said that Satans attack is now on the family! Why? Besides Christ, family is central to his plan. We see many ways satan is attacking the family, but as eternal law requires there is equal and greater tools and happiness available to families! Like prayer, family home evening, making and keeping covenants, being honest, setting family goals, clinging (not just holding) onto your spouse, and allowing him in your daily life!
We examine the examples of Nephi and his family!they went back to Jerusalem to get wives (Nephi 7:1) and they even had weddings! (Nephi 16). Then the big day came when Nephi was done building the ship and they set sail to "the promised land". As the scriptures tell in Nephi 18:9 Laman, Lemuel, and their wives began to make themselves merry and became exceedingly rude. They even bound up Nephi to eventually lol him. This is when we see the faith and love of his sweet wife in verse 19. It says that not even tears and prayers of his wife and children could soften their hearts! Nephi was, "large in stature" obviously a faithful, righteous man. What kind of person was his wife? Did she honor the priesthood? Support her husband in his calling and seek help from The Lord? It seems to be this way! Nephi got the kind of wife that was comparative to himself....Laman and Lemuel as well. So.....what kind of person do you want to marry? Or if you are already married what kind of relationship do you want to have?
I know I am not married yet but I have seen lots of examples of how a good relationship works and how a not so good one works and the good and especially best relationships aren't easy and they include 3people ALWAYS, the husband, the wife, and Heavenly FatherM. We must always rely on him to lead and guide us.
I am so grateful for my family. I know I knew them before we came to this earth and I pray every night that we may each become worthy to continue our journey together as an Eternal FamilyM. It is absolutely possible. We were once broken but by carefully applying the teachings of Jesus Christ and using the atonement we have found happiness and hope for a brighter future. The family truly is central to his plan and there is a way to be sure of an eternal companion and to know how to raise families in this ever changing and dangerous world. But as with all the commandments of god we must first exercise faith! I don't know Heavenly Fathers plan for me after my mission but I'm excited to find out!
Those Around Us
So yesterday I was able to have
an interview with my mission President! (man i love that guy!)... But we
talked about who we affect as a missionary.. what are the outcomes. 1,
ourselves 2. Our companions and 3. those around us.
Hello Again
Hello again!
What an interesting week!
We had a record high for less actives at church this week. On average there have only been 4-5 attending for the last few months.However there were 12 yesterday!
We were able to contact 2 referrals this last week! One of them, Sister Marly, because one of our new investigators. She is the Aunt of an active member, mid 40's and she is great! She is very knowledgeable about the church and once we finally found her house she welcomed us in immediately! We are really excited for her not only because she has a desire but she has a support system! When we were trying to find her house we got a trike (tricycle driver). We thought he knew where the street was... he was peddling and peddling and we kept going further and further... turns out he didn't know where the street was and we ended up at the very end of the subdivision... the street... the very first one! Poor guy! He was sweating so bad! I paid him extra just because I felt bad!
One of our other investigators came from 2 of our less actives who have started to come back to church! He is their brother and when we asked what his favorite scriptural story was he said "Joseph Smith". We were shocked and he already knew about Josephs experience and prophets and at the end of the lesson he asked if he could have the copy of the book of Mormon that we had been using! We very willingly gave it to him! We just need to get him to church and to be really converted and he will be good. I can see him being a great leader!
The work here is progressing and we are starting to see miracle here in the Malanday ward! Now is the perfect time to be a missionary!! not just for me but for all of you! :)
I love you all! have a great week and be safe!!
-XOXO-
Sister Hawkins
What an interesting week!
We had a record high for less actives at church this week. On average there have only been 4-5 attending for the last few months.However there were 12 yesterday!
We were able to contact 2 referrals this last week! One of them, Sister Marly, because one of our new investigators. She is the Aunt of an active member, mid 40's and she is great! She is very knowledgeable about the church and once we finally found her house she welcomed us in immediately! We are really excited for her not only because she has a desire but she has a support system! When we were trying to find her house we got a trike (tricycle driver). We thought he knew where the street was... he was peddling and peddling and we kept going further and further... turns out he didn't know where the street was and we ended up at the very end of the subdivision... the street... the very first one! Poor guy! He was sweating so bad! I paid him extra just because I felt bad!
One of our other investigators came from 2 of our less actives who have started to come back to church! He is their brother and when we asked what his favorite scriptural story was he said "Joseph Smith". We were shocked and he already knew about Josephs experience and prophets and at the end of the lesson he asked if he could have the copy of the book of Mormon that we had been using! We very willingly gave it to him! We just need to get him to church and to be really converted and he will be good. I can see him being a great leader!
The work here is progressing and we are starting to see miracle here in the Malanday ward! Now is the perfect time to be a missionary!! not just for me but for all of you! :)
I love you all! have a great week and be safe!!
-XOXO-
Sister Hawkins
Welcome To Valenzuela
Welcome to Valenzuela!!...
This
are going great here! My companion is Sister Mole, she is 23 and from
Devo Philippines! She goes home in October, and is only like 4'11" I
think she said! It is way wird being the taller one! The work is slow
and we only have 2 investigators that I am aware of... There are more on
the list but we haven't been able to teach them! BUT We met a really
cool investigator the other day! They are way prepared.
The man has prostate cancer, and his live in partners family are
members. And the man is way humble (of course he isn't expected to live
much longer) and they have come to church 2 times on their own!... But
the problem... they aren't married (and they probably don't have to
money to get married) and they don't know how to read or
write, which means they cant read any assignments! So we are trying to
get someone to go over there and read with them!... But If they can get
married than they will be ready for baptism with in 2-3 weeks!! So cross
your fingers and say your prayers!... We taught them how to pray the
other day... and Brother was so funny, but it really displays his desire
to live... He opened the prayer, asked Heavenly Father to heal him and
than closed it!... Poor guy, I feel so bad for him! But Im exercising my
faith that all will work out!...
There is another recent
convert in the area (the fellowshipper for the investigators) who has a
pretty interesting story... her daughter I think it is is only 18... she
is married... to a 14 year old!! Can you believe it!! I was shocked!!
At 14 I was going to dances, and expirementing with make-up! Nt trying
to be a married person!! I was shocked! But... I guess... more power to
them!...
I was able to see Brother Esquerra from Marulas ward at church on
Sunday! That was way cool! He took a picture so that he could show the
ward!! :) Dont Just Follow...Follow Through
well hello my dear Family and friends!
How
are you all?! Things are going great here in Valenzuela! :) I am
learning lots and starting to see success!! ... So before I get to the
good stuff I have a funny story... Typhoon Glenda
Well Good morning my lovely family!
I don't
know if you have been watching the news or if you heard anything about
Typhoon Glenda, but I can officially say that I survived a rather strong
typhoon. Which is why we are all emailing to let our families know that
we are ok! SO... IM OK! :)
We haven't been to our area yet and will hopefully be able to
go tomorrow. S. Mole decided that there was probably flooding in all of
our areas right now so we will just wait until tomorrow!
I really wanna go and see everyone and make sure they are all OK! But please pray for them and their families! :)
But know all is well and I was never in immediate danger! :)
I love you all! Talk to you in a few days! Stay safe!
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Sister Hawkins
One Year
Email received:
Well, what an interesting week this has been!
We
lived through Typhoon Glenda! It really was just a normal typhoon,
nothing to exciting! But we had fun cleaning up little mini flash floods
from all the water coming through our windows! :) Well, what an interesting week this has been!
Written Letter Received:
So Today is what wouold have been 1 year as a missionary! One year ago today I entered the Manila Missionary Training Center. I had no idea the kind of adventures that laid ahead of me, the excitement and heartache I would face as I invited others to come unto Christ! And I had no idea how fast time would go! It feels as though this day a whole year ago was just yesterday.
Today I realized something wonderful. We contacted a referral last week whose name is Henry, but his nickname is DubDub. We are going to teach him and his parents for the first time later today. And I just realized what a big event this is. Their family is about to enter one of the greatest journeys of their life today and they are being given the opportunity to effectively prepare for eternal life. They didn't have this chance yesterday! Today, it all starts. And they have no idea. a scripture I found that seems to be appropriate for both these amazing events is D&C 78:17. In this relation to Joseph Smith the Lord says "ye are yet little children and ye have not understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands prepared for you"
As we wake up everyday we have no idea the kind of happiness our Heavenly Father has prepared for us. But everyday we have the opportunity to find out. The Lord then continues to say in verse 18 "ye cannot bear all things now, nevertheless, be of good sheer, for I will lead you along. the kingdom is yours and the blessings there of are yours and the riches of eternity are yours"
Even though we may be blinded by our everyday troubles we ned to look up and be of good cheer because he truly is here, Leading us by the hand and eventually we will one day realize just how great our potential is!
:Live each day to the fullest, cheerfully! They go by to quickly! I love you all and I am so thankful I have such amazing people in my life who love and support me. I will see you soon. Love Sister Hawkins
MIni Miracles
So... A new transfer and the same
companion! :) Sister Mole and I are still together. She goes home in
October so just 2 more transfers! I think Ill be the one to kill her
(that just means im her last companion!). We are gonna have lots of fun
this transfer!
This last week was a lot of fun and we saw some miracles as we were able to teach some people who have in the past not wanted to listen! We thought that Sister Mole was going to be transferred so she was showing me some homes of less actives in a particular subdivision. for some reason after she showed me, I just walked right up to the gate and rung the door bell. Normally I would say lets try here but for some reason I didn't even think about it! I just did it! And guess what! They let us in. We had a great chat and found out that she hasn't been to church for 10 years because there are "a lot of problems and unanswered prayers". But she asked us to pray for her and her family because they are experiencing some strain in their family! I am really excited to go back to this family! I know Heavenly Father has some great experiences waiting for them!
We also extended a baptism date to a man and
his mom who have been involved with the church for almost 10 years and
just haven't been baptized. Well the mans sister is coming to stay with
them from Washington for 2 months and she is fully active. I think she
is going to be a really big strength for them! But while we were there
they invited their friend, and they said that they should all just get
baptized together! yay!! Its one of the greatest things to see people
embrace the gospel! They even said "Hi" and stopped to talk when were
walking down the street! This last week was a lot of fun and we saw some miracles as we were able to teach some people who have in the past not wanted to listen! We thought that Sister Mole was going to be transferred so she was showing me some homes of less actives in a particular subdivision. for some reason after she showed me, I just walked right up to the gate and rung the door bell. Normally I would say lets try here but for some reason I didn't even think about it! I just did it! And guess what! They let us in. We had a great chat and found out that she hasn't been to church for 10 years because there are "a lot of problems and unanswered prayers". But she asked us to pray for her and her family because they are experiencing some strain in their family! I am really excited to go back to this family! I know Heavenly Father has some great experiences waiting for them!
Those Around US
So yesterday I was able to have
an interview with my mission President! (man i love that guy!)... But we
talked about who we affect as a missionary.. what are the outcomes. 1,
ourselves 2. Our companions and 3. those around us.
I've learned this about myself
Through this whole experience with some investigators I have learned something about myself. When faced with a situation that I cant change I don't dwell on it.. Its not that I don't think about it, or that my heart doesn't ache but I don't focus on it and drive myself as well as others crazy.
Every time we leave this investigators home my companion gets so sad, and just dwells on it and basically says the same things every time over and over. Anyways, I repeat it one time and then I am done with it. I am sure she thinks I have no feelings, but I see no reason to dwell on something I cant change. Rather I exercise my faith by doing my best. This is the only way his promises are sure and we all need his help..
My studies in Preach My Gospel (PMG) chapter 6 have been focused on humility! PMG.says that humility is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of spiritual strength. In Helaman chapter 4 the Nephites forgot to be humble they forgot just how important Heavenly Father is and the amount of strength they received from Him, verse 13 tells you what happened.
" And because of this their great wickdness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands."
Read it! Ponder it! Apply it! Humility also includes having confidence in HIS plan...I'm still working on this one! But I do know he has a plan, one much better and more beautiful then we could ever imagine. Im still trying to work on this but this is why I dont just sit around when something unfortunate happens.
To find happiness and enjoy His plan more often then not we must get on our feet and work. Never forget the strength he gives you or we may leave you to your own!!!
Don't forget to let me know about your PMG studies!! I love you, see you soon.
Every time we leave this investigators home my companion gets so sad, and just dwells on it and basically says the same things every time over and over. Anyways, I repeat it one time and then I am done with it. I am sure she thinks I have no feelings, but I see no reason to dwell on something I cant change. Rather I exercise my faith by doing my best. This is the only way his promises are sure and we all need his help..
My studies in Preach My Gospel (PMG) chapter 6 have been focused on humility! PMG.says that humility is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of spiritual strength. In Helaman chapter 4 the Nephites forgot to be humble they forgot just how important Heavenly Father is and the amount of strength they received from Him, verse 13 tells you what happened.
" And because of this their great wickdness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands."
Read it! Ponder it! Apply it! Humility also includes having confidence in HIS plan...I'm still working on this one! But I do know he has a plan, one much better and more beautiful then we could ever imagine. Im still trying to work on this but this is why I dont just sit around when something unfortunate happens.
To find happiness and enjoy His plan more often then not we must get on our feet and work. Never forget the strength he gives you or we may leave you to your own!!!
Don't forget to let me know about your PMG studies!! I love you, see you soon.
Family....Central To Heavnly Fathers Plan
We had mission workshop and the workshop President Sperry gave us was the workshop he gives the missionaries when they are going home. Since he and Sister Sperry are going home he gave it to all of us. It is about families and finding are eternal companion! Needless to say we were all a bit trunky! But we quickly got over it.
So he first started talking about the creation and how the earth was truly made for us to come and create families. Then we talked a bit about how important family is. We can see how important family is because of the greatness of Satan's fight against it. Some ideas given were same sex marriage, the degradation of the importance of children, the attitude of spouses to one another, selfishness, and the pleasures of the world and then the kicker....hanging out! You know, having personally gone through the affects of Satan's temptations I can say just how powerful and harsh they are, and they aren't going to stop!
President Hinckley once said that Satan's attack is now on the family. Why? Because besides Christ, family is central to his plan. We see many ways Satan is attacking the family, but as eternal law requires there is equal and greater tools and happiness available to families, like prayer, family home evening, making and keeping covenants, being honest, setting family goals, clinging (not just holding) onto your spouse, and allowing Heavenly Father into your life daily!
We examined the examples of Nephi and his family. They went back to Jerusalem to get wives ( I Nephi 7:1) and they even had weddings. Then the big day came when Nephi was done building the ship and they set sail to the promised land. As the scriptures tell in I Nephi 18:9 Laman and Lemuel and theiir wives began to make themselves merry and become exceedingly rude! They even bound up Nephi to eventually kill him. This is when we see the faith and love of his sweet wife in verse 19 it says, that not even the tears and prayers of his wife and children could soften their hearts. Nephi was large in stature, obviously a faithful and righteous man......What kind of person was his wife? Did she honor the priesthood? It seems to be this way. Nephi got the kind of wife that was comparative to himself. Laman and Lemuel as well.
So what kind of person do you want to marry?
Or what if you are already married, what kind of relationship do you want to have?
I know I am not married yet but I have seen lots of examples of how a good relationship works and how a not so good one works and the good and especially best relationships arent easy and they include 3 people ALWAYS!! The husband, the wife, and Heavenly 'Father. We must always rely on him to lead and guide us.
I am so grateful for my family. I know I knew them before we came to this earth and I pray everynight that we may each become worthy to continue our journey together as an eternal family. It is absoultely possible. We were once broken but by carefullly applying the teachings of Jesus Christ and using the atonement we have found happiness and hope for a brighter future. The family truly is central to this plan and there is a way to be sure of an eternal companion and to know how to raise failies in this ever changing and dangerous world. But as with all the commandements of God, we must first exercise faith!
I don't know Heavenly Fathers plan for me after the mission, but I'm excited to find out!
So he first started talking about the creation and how the earth was truly made for us to come and create families. Then we talked a bit about how important family is. We can see how important family is because of the greatness of Satan's fight against it. Some ideas given were same sex marriage, the degradation of the importance of children, the attitude of spouses to one another, selfishness, and the pleasures of the world and then the kicker....hanging out! You know, having personally gone through the affects of Satan's temptations I can say just how powerful and harsh they are, and they aren't going to stop!
President Hinckley once said that Satan's attack is now on the family. Why? Because besides Christ, family is central to his plan. We see many ways Satan is attacking the family, but as eternal law requires there is equal and greater tools and happiness available to families, like prayer, family home evening, making and keeping covenants, being honest, setting family goals, clinging (not just holding) onto your spouse, and allowing Heavenly Father into your life daily!
We examined the examples of Nephi and his family. They went back to Jerusalem to get wives ( I Nephi 7:1) and they even had weddings. Then the big day came when Nephi was done building the ship and they set sail to the promised land. As the scriptures tell in I Nephi 18:9 Laman and Lemuel and theiir wives began to make themselves merry and become exceedingly rude! They even bound up Nephi to eventually kill him. This is when we see the faith and love of his sweet wife in verse 19 it says, that not even the tears and prayers of his wife and children could soften their hearts. Nephi was large in stature, obviously a faithful and righteous man......What kind of person was his wife? Did she honor the priesthood? It seems to be this way. Nephi got the kind of wife that was comparative to himself. Laman and Lemuel as well.
So what kind of person do you want to marry?
Or what if you are already married, what kind of relationship do you want to have?
I know I am not married yet but I have seen lots of examples of how a good relationship works and how a not so good one works and the good and especially best relationships arent easy and they include 3 people ALWAYS!! The husband, the wife, and Heavenly 'Father. We must always rely on him to lead and guide us.
I am so grateful for my family. I know I knew them before we came to this earth and I pray everynight that we may each become worthy to continue our journey together as an eternal family. It is absoultely possible. We were once broken but by carefullly applying the teachings of Jesus Christ and using the atonement we have found happiness and hope for a brighter future. The family truly is central to this plan and there is a way to be sure of an eternal companion and to know how to raise failies in this ever changing and dangerous world. But as with all the commandements of God, we must first exercise faith!
I don't know Heavenly Fathers plan for me after the mission, but I'm excited to find out!
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