“Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness” – Barbara Johnson
This quote speaks to me right now. So much in the world is confusing and can create darkness around us but with faith, specifically in Jesus Christ, we can see and feel goodness and light even in darkness. Something to think about when darkness wants to creep into our lives.
With the kids coming home this week, I made a great effort to meet with most of the sisters for visits or companionship study that arrived this past week. On Monday, I headed to Victoria to meet with the sisters at 4pm to go appointments starting at 6pm. We went to two of their investigators and a member that recently has returned to church. A great experience on relying on the spirit, the scriptures, personal experiences and knowledge treasured up from individual and companionship study. The sisters we visited had concerns, experiences that hold them back from deepening their relationship with God through Jesus Christ and His Atonement. As we taught them I knew they needed to have an experience with the Holy Ghost for themselves of what we were teaching them was true. To feel the Holy Ghost, they would need to choose to act for themselves and allow the spirit of our message into their hearts. We invited them to pray about the message and the scriptures we were shared with them and if this was something they wanted in their life because if it was we would help and support them in their efforts to change and come unto Christ. It was a great experience with the sisters and a late night. I didn’t get home until after 11:30 because of the drive.
The kids participated in the Ogden Pioneer Days festivities on Monday starting with the parade in the morning followed by breakfast at Kneaders with the grandma and grandpa and some of the cousins. Later that night they enjoyed the Rodeo that included mutton bustin’, bull riding, bronco riding, steer roping etc. and the highlight of the night is the crowning of Miss Rodeo Utah. It doesn’t end there; the motocross show is amazing and fireworks follow. I love this tradition that our family has and look forward to participating it in the next year.
On Tuesday, I met with two companionships for comp study. I love the experience of back to back studies. The similarities and difference that happen so that we can teach with the spirit and to our investigators needs is a witness to me that God does indeed love his children. The questions and insights gained in those studies increases my faith in our loving Savior and His atonement that each of us can indeed change to become more like Him and our Heavenly Father. I attended the Richmond district Council Wednesday morning. This whole month the mission has been studying PMG chapter 3 more in depth. It has been a great study and my eyes have been opened more clearly to the principles that can bless our lives. I am grateful for this time to learn and grow.
The kids are back! Well at least Zac, Bode and Jessie are. I am so happy to hug them again and just see their sweet faces. They had a great time in Utah! I am grateful for family and friends that hosted them and loved them while they were there. Thursday morning Jessie went to Avery’s for a very planned play date that both were looking forward to. While she was there the boys and I went up to Lake 288 for paddle boarding, swimming and TRX. I also did a 2-mile jog around the lake to warm up before swimming the ½ mile loop not that I needed to warm up to get in the water. It was warm from the continuously hot days of summer we are experiencing. Six moms and several teenagers came this time. We had a great time! Wish we could go more often. After the boys and I got ready for the day we went to H&M to go a little school shopping. We don’t usually go on our own so it was kind of nice just being the boys and me. Aaron held a skills training meeting with the missionaries that came in about 8 weeks ago. We have seen great improvement in some of the basic missionary skills such as: how to begin teaching, teaching to investigators needs, asking inspired questions, active listening, extending commitment invitations and following up because of this training.
We held our MLC on Friday. Our missionaries had set a commitment goal of 46 baptisms for July and we ended up with 51 for the month! Sweet joy to see their hard work pay off! As part of the MLC, Aaron taught the principle of becoming leaders of faith and shared with them the example of Enos. In a few scriptures, you can find the pattern on how to increase your faith in the Savior… It first begins with hearing the word of God, either from the Lord’s servants or scriptures. In Enos’ case, he was reflecting on the words he had heard from his father. When we hear the word, we then need to let it sink deep within our hearts, something Enos did. Enos then describes how his soul hungered… In 3 Ne 12:6 the Savior teaches how those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled with the Holy Ghost. We know the Holy Ghost will witness that Jesus is the Christ to our heart and minds as we hunger to know him. We then show our love to God by keeping the commandments and our covenants. And finally, Enos wrestles with God in mighty prayer and continues to do so. In this process Enos develops complete faith and trust in the Savior. An inspiring MLC!
Before we went to pick up Allie from the airport on Saturday, Jessie requested for her birthday to see Despicable Me 3. A few of us fell asleep during it. After we picked up Allie, we went to Masala Wok for dinner again, at Jessie’s request. Let birthday celebrations begin!!!! It is hard to believe we’ll have a 19 & 17 year old and Jessie is in the double digits now. Life is speeding right before our eyes. I love these sweet kids of mine. They stretch me, open my eyes to new things and make my heart happy. We’re blessed beyond measure and I’m so grateful for what we continue to learn and experience.