Home-baked cookies, a picture, a particular ring tone... there are so many little things that can trigger so many memories. Maybe some of those things bring back memories for you of being home as a child or hanging out with friends, or maybe a particular point in your life.
Lately I've been having tons of those flashbacks! Thinking of people I haven't seen since I was in elementary school, and stories from my childhood. Some of those memories are very vivid! I remember a scout camp out when I used a plastic spatula to make breakfast and it melted onto the pancakes (we didn't eat them). Jumping on my neighbor's trampoline... I'm sure Elder Waltman's ears have just about fallen off from me sharing so many stories that have come to mind. But those memories can bring us so much happiness. Who doesn't want to remember the best times of their lives? I believe that our memories are a gift from God. J M Barrie once wrote, "God gave us memories that we might have roses in December." We can enjoy them, learn from them, and share them. Think back to the happiest times in your life. I would say mine are when I have been truly selfless and given my all in service for someone else because I care more about them than myself, expecting nothing in return. Especially when I can tell it meant a great deal to them. That's satisfaction. That's something worth remembering.
What do you remember? When in your life were you happiest? Why do you think that is? Feel free to leave a comment and tell us all about it.
Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Finding Peace
Some days are hard. Agreed? Missionaries are just like any of you- we have easy days and hard days, happy days and sad days. Sometimes it's hard to find peace in the hard days. It's hard to find happiness in the sad days. Sometimes it's tempting to just sit on the couch with some comfort food (I recommend mint-chocolate chip ice cream) or to take a nap, but as missionaries, our whole effort is for other people and we really don't have much time to sit and mope when we can be out in the world lifting up hands that hang down. So we have to find other ways to cope with the stresses and keep on trucking. Let me give some suggestions on how you can make it through the day and FIND PEACE in a difficult world.
1) I ALWAYS find peace when I read from the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. Jesus Christ promised to send us the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, and whenever we read from the scriptures the Holy Ghost comes into our lives stronger. And just like His name suggests, he comforts us and gives us strength to keep pushing and to do what is right.
2) Say a prayer.... alone..... OUT LOUD. You may feel awkward the first time you do it, but God hears you. I know He does. And every time I've done it, it's helped me really work out my problems. You'll find you receive answers to your prayers easier when you pray out loud and "counsel with the Lord in all thy doings..." (Alma 37:37). Talk it out with the all-mighty. He's a perfect therapist!
3) "Forget yousrelf and go to work." Some counsel Gordon B. Hinckely's father gave him, when he was on his mission in England. When we think of others first, our problems don't seem so bad, we recognize the blessings God has given us, and we are filled with gratitude. We are filled with love and care for others. ( http://lds.org/new-era/1995/05/sweet-is-the-work-gordon-b-hinckley-15th-president-of-the-church?lang=eng&query=forget+yourself+go+work )
Do you have any suggestions? feel free to leave a comment with some ideas on how to find peace!
1) I ALWAYS find peace when I read from the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. Jesus Christ promised to send us the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, and whenever we read from the scriptures the Holy Ghost comes into our lives stronger. And just like His name suggests, he comforts us and gives us strength to keep pushing and to do what is right.
2) Say a prayer.... alone..... OUT LOUD. You may feel awkward the first time you do it, but God hears you. I know He does. And every time I've done it, it's helped me really work out my problems. You'll find you receive answers to your prayers easier when you pray out loud and "counsel with the Lord in all thy doings..." (Alma 37:37). Talk it out with the all-mighty. He's a perfect therapist!
3) "Forget yousrelf and go to work." Some counsel Gordon B. Hinckely's father gave him, when he was on his mission in England. When we think of others first, our problems don't seem so bad, we recognize the blessings God has given us, and we are filled with gratitude. We are filled with love and care for others. ( http://lds.org/new-era/1995/05/sweet-is-the-work-gordon-b-hinckley-15th-president-of-the-church?lang=eng&query=forget+yourself+go+work )
Do you have any suggestions? feel free to leave a comment with some ideas on how to find peace!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
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."
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."
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