Memorial - June 2, 2014

My heart is full. I feel like Nephi when he testifies to his brothers that the Lord is mightier than the earth, then why not mightier than the adversary? He gives us strength to go forward and DO his work! I believe the glass half full attitude Nephi had was due to a full heart, a heart of gratitude for recognizing the hand of the Lord. That carried him throughout his life; he successfully endured to the end. Also, Nephi had an open mind. If we have an optimistic outlook, then the Lord can use us as HIS tool. He cannot work through an already decided mind. If you decide that the person at the door you are knocking will not accept the Gospel, then sure enough they won't. Your faith begins in the small thoughts that run across your mind. It all starts in the mind, and the mind is SO powerful! If we focus on gratitude, and are seeing the hand of the Lord constantly, like Nephi, you fulfill your baptismal covenant (coupled with keeping the commandments) and you are PROMISED THE SPIRIT TO BE WITH YOU.

Interesting: the Hebrew translation of endure means to become anointed. Ponder it. It gives me goosebumps!

I'm always in AWE when I finish the Book of Mormon. Words cannot describe the feelings I had as I closed the book. I cannot describe how strong the spirit was. I want all of you to feel the way I did, and DO feel. My heart is full. Please, read. I am grounded in this Gospel and cannot move. 

Another thing about the Book of Mormon that I love is the dying testimonies of men who have ENDURED, and the things they write to their posterity (that they might know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins, and might I add, HOPE). Mormon to Moroni was about HOPE. Alma to his sons was about their purpose. Nephi to his posterity was about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the straight and narrow gait. I hope to be able to live like they do, continually PRESSING (exerting effort against an opposing force) forward, FEASTING upon the words of Christ.

When I say my heart is full, a funny thing happens, the depth of my heart extends to make space for more joy, more love, more faith, meekness, temperance, goodness... the fruits of the spirit. 

Last Monday we ended up getting 12 people up to the Joseph Smith Memorial:

From left to right: JoAnne, Sister Rufty, Brother Young, Sister Young, Sean, Gene (RC from the elders), US! Bottom row is the Estes family (a PMF we are teaching and seeing some miracles happen).

We had someone come and speak to our mission at the leadership meeting, and hearing what he said from others was amazing and has helped me to realize why our mission is the way it is: THIS IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE RESTORATION. JOSEPH SMITH'S ANCESTORS WERE HERE, AND MANY PEOPLE IN OUR MISSION ARE RELATED TO JOSEPH SMITH. Satan works HARD against these 7th generation New Englanders because they are related to him! They will come to know of the Gospel, and it is by us that they will know.

Sean, how I worry!! We'll see how everything goes this week... but he's gotta be keeping all the commandments with a repentant heart by this Sunday or we'll have to move his date, which he does NOT want to do. I will not baptize someone if they are not ready, I will NOT do that.

We wrote out 7 miracles we wanted to happen this week. For Kathy and Karen, our nonreligious neighbors, we asked if THEY COULD ASK US TO TEACH THEM. Our part was to keep every other day contact with them. Sure enough, Kathy comes down and tells us all about this book she is reading about some crazy pack between Lincoln and Joseph Smith. The author was well researched, she knew all the "mormon" terms! She had great questions! She asked that when she was done if we could come over and answer them! The Lord is workin' beside us, as He always has.

Another miracle we've been working for is with the Jefford family - that they would have a significant missionary experience. They're the only family in our boundaries that is active, so you bet we've been working with them! We've taught two FHE and played a ton of missionary games, real played, and studied PMG. Sunday Sister Jeffords came up to us and told us that they have found a FAMILY FOR US TO TEACH!!! Our commitment to them was just to invite someone over to their house for dinner within a month, with or without us. Sure enough, they kept their commitment and the Lord placed a family in their paths! They're going to have them over for dinner then have us over. Hopefully it goes well, if not, you probably won't be hearing about it ha!

Gigi's lesson was sweet this week... We were bold. I asked her (after teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her saying that she'd already been baptized....) if she was 100% THAT HER BAPTISM WAS VALID. She hesitated and said no, then she caught herself and tried to save what she had already said. She is not going to get on her knees and PRAY to know if the Book of Mormon is true (which she already says is, what's holding her from baptism? We'll find out...) and then to be baptized. Hopefully a miracle will happen there, I'm expecting one. 

Side note, I am lost without weekly planning. We haven't had time to really plan this week and I feel like I am running around with my head chopped off. No more of this. 

DO IT UNTIL IT'S DONE. WORK UNTIL YOU CAN'T WALK. RUN RUN RUN!!!

We saw the baptism of a family this week. So sacred. So wonderful. They had me give one of the talks and I couldn't contain the Spirit I felt. It was carrying me like never before!