Sometimes it's hard to "bless them that curse you!"

   Partly as a safety rule, we missionaries have "companions" just like kids that go to the pool might have "swimming buddies." We stay with our companions all day, everyday. It can be exhausting sometimes, but it can be really fun, too.
   Anyway, when you're around someone that much, you have to learn to put aside your differences and get along. Despite common belief, we don't automatically become best friends when we meet our new companions. And for those of you who don't know, we switch off "swimming buddies" several times in the two years of service we do.
   I've had to learn to have patience while I've been out here. But moreso, charity. Charity is a Christ-Like attribute that in some ways is related to patience. It means putting others' welbeing before your own, even when sometimes that person is annoying you! Charity is more than action, it's a state of being and a way of life.
   As I've learned to get along with my companions I have come to have a deeper understanding of my savior and of charity. Christ was the greatest example of it. Even when the people spat on him and hated him and eventually killed him, he allowed it to happen because He loved them and what He was doing would allow them to be forgiven of their sins. He loved the very people who killed him- He loved them so much that He paid the price for them, so they could be saved in the Kingdom of God and have eternal happiness! That price included His life.
   I've learned to love those that persecute me while serving as a servant of Christ, and only in that little way, I've felt some of what Christ endured for each of us! It was hard for me to have that love for just one person- it still is. I can't imagine how hard it was for Christ to do it for every sinner that ever lived- to love each of us enough to suffer in our place so we can be forgiven and live with God again! I'm not sure I could ever have that kind of love, but I am grateful for our Savior, who did! He truly lived and suffered for us so we can be forgiven of our sins and live with God again!

"..I do not boast in my own strength.."

   Once a week, Elder Waltman and I get together with some other missionaries and we teach and learn from each other. Today was my turn to teach. I had been asked a couple days ago to prepare a talk on a Christ-like attribute of my choice. I prayed about it and came to the conclusion I should talk about humility.
   "Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His
divine help." -Preach My Gospel pg 120.
   I really like how Ammon showed humility after serving the Lord and helping thousands of people come to a true knowledge of their savior Jesus Christ. Ammon began to talk about the success they had and one of his brethren cautioned him, "...I fear thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting." (Alma 26:11)
   "But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God." (Alma 26:12)
   "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..." (Alma 26:13)
   Ammon kept no honor for himself, but gave all the honor and glory to God- where it rightly belonged.
   Each of us has been given talents, ability, senses, knowledge or other gifts from God. Sometimes it is hard to see that everything we have and are, are gifts from God. And any good thing comes from Him. Anytime we have happiness or success, it is because He had His hand in it.
   I for one am grateful for the blessings He has given me. He gave me the ability to see the beauty of nature. He gave me a loving family. He gave me the opportunity to be here in Nashville and meet so many wonderful children of His. This list goes on and on!
   In our church we have a hymn called, "Count Your Many Blessings." I would invite each of you to take a moment to count your many blessings from God and see how He has touched YOUR life! Feel free to comment on my blog and share what you're grateful for!

Feed My Sheep

   Christ taught, "Feed my sheep." (John 21:17) As a missionary for the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was "called to serve" not "called to preach." Although preaching and proclaiming the Gospel is the main part of how we perform this service, we also try to serve people in other ways too.
   Just a few days ago, Elder Waltman and I were driving down the road when we saw a group of men with a big moving trailer outside of their house, hauling large and small items, little by little into the house. I looked to Elder Waltman and said, "do you think we should go help them?"
   Elder Waltman replied, "sure."
   So we did. There were probably seven men there already helping out, but we offered our help and they accepted. We helped unload the trailer they already had there, and a truck or two and another trailer. We got to help them lift furniture in their house, and random trinkets and bags. As we helped out we got to know the couple moving in a little bit. They had a young child, and were moving in from across town. They were the nicest people and we had a lot of fun helping them out.
   When all the moving was done, we talked to the man moving in for a brief moment and he told us of the church he goes to, and how they are reaching out to people who may not feel comfortable in regular church buildings. What a wonderful idea. He and his family were such caring, Christ-like people and we enjoyed being around them.
   We then said our goodbyes and began walking back to the car, when this man graciously called out to us and invited us in for some pizza. I wasn't expecting that, but we readily accepted the invitation and enjoyed some pizza and their company for a little while longer. They were so appreciative and thankful- and honestly we hadn't done much in a group of so many people. I felt so honored that they would be so kind to us for such a little thing. Some would call it Southern Hospitality, but I would call it an exalting and Godly attitude.
   From King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon we learn, "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)
   I would invite you to look for ways to serve others, and do a good deed here and there. When you do, you are serving God, and you can be at peace. I know in my life I have always been happiest when I have been more concerned with the well being of others before thinking of my own. When you put your all into selfless service you are doing exactly what Christ talked about when He said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."