Monday, December 5, 2011

New Updates

Hey Everyone!                                                                          5 December 2011

Dad, I sure hope you are writing your memories down in a journal from your mission. Those are answers. Remember 2 Nephi 25:26:

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

It's good to hear that Amy, Amanda, Nick and David all had some fun at the party!! Write me some time and tell me how it was.

So recently I've been studying the scriptures and how to fix and address concerns from people and it's been going really well. I've been writing those sweet revelations down as they come.

Also, I've been really enjoying the exchanges I've been on. I'ved learned a lot and I'm beginning to apply all the revelation I've received! Also, because we've been going through a tough time, we've been tested as in Alma 8:31.."And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now this was done that the Lord might show forth His power in them."

The way that I understood that is that the trials of our faith are more precious than anything - as it states in 1 Peter 1:7: 7."That the trial of your faith; being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ;" I want to add verse 8: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."
(Elder Nick goes on to say....) Because of the trials that people go through - those trials are going to teach us something. In Matthew 11:28-30 the Savior says:

28."Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Taking his yoke upon us.. means that we must still work "taking on His yoke" to get a result; but the world's yoke and the Savior's yoke are two very different things. The world's yoke (work) will stress you, break you and destroy you. The Savior's yoke "work" will stress (stretch) you to points that you can handle (& I might add to help us to grow and become stronger).

1 Corinthians 10:13 states:13. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." There is always support and love for us and remembering 1 NE 3:7 we will succeed in these times.

7."And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

I asked myself this morning this question. "In the past year and the 1 year before my mission, has the gospel brought me to a place that has helped me manage my life, overcome trials I've faced and learn to look to the Son? And the answer is "YES"!!!

As it states in Luke 21:26 - 26."Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." I'm learning to put my trust in God, my Savior and my only Redeemer. They are the ones I can turn to for the everlasting love that my Spirit seeks, to find rest unto salvation. It helps me to move on. To love others and to learn to love myself, (I struggle with that) and I knew in that moment (3 years ago) that I felt that God knew me and I was to serve God - even if I didn't want to. But I knew I should because it's part of His eternal plan. I pray that my heart doesn't fail me. I hope that I will always remember my identity - that I Am A Child of God and that He loves all. I know He is willing to help those who are willing to come unto Him and have faith. In the name of my loving Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!

Family, I love all of you and worry about you all, all the time. I hope you can feel my love and especially the eternal love of God of which we can feel all the time!

http://lds.org/pages/mens-hearts-shall-fail-them?lang=eng

(I hope you all watch this WONDERFUL Mormon Message that he included) Here are also some pics of a tour the Elders got to take:
These are pictures from the
USS ENTERPRISE
Aircraft Carrier

Ship Tour!
AWESOME!


Here he is on Deck!


What a view!


Captain's Chair

"It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the Master of my fate,
I am the Captain of my Soul."

Excerpt from "Invictus" by
William E. Henley
 You can read the whole poem listed under his heading of "Scriptures"

Don added these following scriptures:

"You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm
in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.
Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie
in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost
assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for His
arm to be revealed."
** D&C 123:16-17
Elder Richards

Virginia Richmond Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints