"Random things from this week:
-the other Russian sisters' apartment got broke into which sucks but good news Happy Valley DuValley is the 3rd safest city in the nation (I think that's correct) so no exciting robberies or crazy hiests will be apart of our week.
-Also we went and did service for the lady in our ward we bought a treadmill for and I taught her how to use a smart phone. She is a sweet lady. Also I demolished her lavender bush.... I repented.
- We met this couple that was more than happy to talk to us about how we need help finding the truth. ("You're such sweet girls, we really appreciate what you're doing, but you need to look more into it, but we love what you're doing, but look into it. ) twas a grand convo full of much testifying. -9:20 PM, we recieved a knock at our door and a member in our ward was there with two containers of Ben and Jerry's ice cream.
-We discovered the miracle of bleach and other chemicals in our cabinets as we tried to erase an elders push up chart from one of our only white boards. Sister Anderson worked on this for like an hour
- We planned a zillion exchanges for the next few weeks.
-We were out tracting in the woods and met a man. It was a creepy encounter but we came out on top with a bag of blueberries, tomatoes, and a zuchinni (with more potassium than a banana) so all is well. Again remember Duvall is the 3rd safest city so even when on a creep dark road at night one needs not worry!
-We were nearing the end of our night and we didnt know what to do. It was 8:30 and we had visited all the people we had planned for. So we said a prayer and felt prompted to go to a certain apartment complex and the second door we knocked we found a new investigator!
-We had costco muffins for breakfast with the Stake presidency
-We had an AMAZING lesson reading the Book of Mormon with a guy. He had the perfect questions and the spirit was there. At the end, he shook our hands and told us that he knows God sent us because he is at a point in his life where he is looking for spiritual guidance.
-We had a member call and set up discussions with his 9 year old son so that he can get baptized
-We were on the side of the road and a member pulled up with a plate of cookies and some info on his neighbor as a potential referral
-We ate much Mexican food and it was the best
SO MANY MIRACLES
We are going to be doing a 40 day fast with our ward over the next 40 days. It starts today. Because of this, I was studying about when Jesus fasted for 40 days in Jesus the Christ. I love how it says "Our Lord was sinless yet peccable; He had the capacity, the ability to sin had He willed to do so. A thoroughly faithful man cannot culpably lie; nevertheless, his insurance against falsehood is not that of external compulsion, but of internal restraint due to his cultivated companionship of the spirit of truth. His honesty is an armor against temptation; but the coat of mail, the helmet, the breastplate, and the greaves are but an outward covering.The man within may be vulnerable if he can be reached." We can put on the armor of truth and righteousness to deter Satan. He will still be there, but we don't have to let him in. Will power is strong.
In D&C 64:14 it says "Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days." Then, in Nephi 15:24, it says "Whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." Something awesome about the Book of Mormon is all of the prophecies that we see being fulfilled. I especially love Nephi's vision in some of the chapters of 1st Nephi. 1 Nephi 14:14 says: "I Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory."
Here, we learn a couple of things...Satan is powerful and capable of tempting us. However, we are capable of resisting him at all times. But, we are more likely to be successful in our attempt to deny all ungodliness when we have put in the effort to protect ourselves.
"Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace." [Joseph B. Wirthlin] The covenants made at baptism and in the temple are that preparation. Luckily, keeping covenants does not mean begrudgingly checking off the list of to do's every night. It's not quite like remembering to brush your teeth or wear your retainer at night. Being a covenant-keeping people is a lifestyle.
Our relief society president was talking about how when we carry something heavy, we begin to start shifting to one side, and our body becomes croooked and sore. We are in need of an adjustment which usually includes putting down the heavy thing that we were carrying and stretching out a bit to straighten ourselves. In this earth life, we will never be physically or spiritually 100% upright by ourselves. There's always small things tugging this way or that. "We recognize the multitude of tests, temptations, and tribulations that could pull us away from all that is virtuous and praiseworthy before God...we become a Zion people, of one heart and one mind, a pure people who dwell together in unity and righteousness. 'For Zion must increase in beauty, and holiness.'" [Carol McConkie]
Holiness is in keeping our personal promises with God. Then, I know that we will be ready and prepared to stand before him and hear the voice, saying "Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the earth." We are called to serve others. After all, "the spiritual power that Jesus possessed had not been given to Him for personal gratification, but for service to others."
When you find it difficult to love or serve someone, ask yourself what encouragement might this person need?
I love you ALL! have a fantastic week :)"
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