Happy Autumn Elder Williams,
The leaves are beautiful and it is feeling like fall. I love this time of year. I've been busy harvesting, canning, dehydrating, and freezing all the food we have been blessed with.
Today we attended the Brigham City Temple dedication. I was really happy to listen to Elder Packer and others talk about the area, the history, and the significance of having a temple in Brigham City. I especially loved the hosanna shout with the white handkerchiefs. We live in exciting and challenging times.
Speaking of challenges, we are seeing the political landscape being scorched and burned. There are so many voices shouting from either side with shrillness. It can be hard to sort the truth from the lies. It reminds me of this scripture from 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9: "We are troubled on every side, but not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." We need to continue to pray, repent, and trust in God. I hope we can remain a free people.
I've been reading the books by Neal A. Maxwell that you gave me. He is so insightful and inspiring. He is also a master word-smith and can use metaphor in such a way that opens up new vistas of thinking. Here is one thought that I especially love: "When we speak of letting go of the world, this does not mean forgoing its sunsets, its beautiful music, nor, best of all its people. The 'world' is a way of life that takes us away from, not toward, God. Away from, not toward happiness. Away from sense to nonsense."
I hope you are doing well. Please send home your SD card---I would love to have some pictures. Buy another SD card and we can just send them back and forth through the mail.
I love you.
Mom
Dear Mom,
The leaves are changing here too. It has been nice to see the change in the weather. I don't sweat as much when we bike.
It is really great that you were able to go to the temple dedication. One of the visions that the stake presidency has for Santa Rosa is a temple here. I've had that on my mind a lot. I'm part of the ministry that can make that vision happen. I can imagine coming back in ten years or so to see its dedication. We were able to hear the stake presidency speak yesterday. Every transfer in Santa Rosa we missionaries gather at one of the stake presidencies home. We met at President Henderson's home yesterday. He is a very wonderful man. He is in his thirties, and was never a bishop. He went from a ward mission leader to stake president last year. He is going to do great things. He is very optimistic about the growth of the Church in Santa Rosa, especially these days. At no other time has there been so much publicity. I'm grateful to be serving in an area with good leaders.
I love that scripture you shared. I live in one of the most interesting political climates in the world, I think.
Elder Maxwell is wonderful. I am glad that you enjoy those books. I read a talk by him called "Patience". It is on the BYU speeches website, if you would like to read it.
I am grateful for the chance I have to serve. There was a story that President Newton, a member of the stake presidency, shared with us last night. When he was a boy, about three, he really wanted to help his dad change the oil in the car (reminds me of when we were working on the Summit house). His dad told him to take a wrench and tighten a bolt on the underside. Now, the boy was three, so he couldn't budge it either way. But, he thought he was helping his dad and was so happy.
He shared another story that was similar to that. His uncle talked about how we "paint with God". All of the work that I do isn't really my work, it is Heavenly Father's. I'm like the little boy, who may not even be a help, but is still so happy at the thought that he can help his Father out. Sometimes I'm clumsy and God has to follow up and fix whatever I attempted to paint. Still, He is letting me learn. He is letting me grow.
I didn't do the story justice, but it made me feel some more hope. So, I thought I'd share it.
Everything is going well. I'm constantly learning how to submit to God's will. Obedience is key. Sometimes it is a daunting goal, especially the ones that have to do with my mindset. I have confidence that I can do it, though. 1 Nephi 3:7 brings me a lot of comfort. That promise applies not only to things like getting plates or building ships, but also to changing our natures.
I love you Mom. I'll send my card home. I haven't taken many pictures, but I'll get you what I have.
Love,
Elder Williams
The leaves are changing here too. It has been nice to see the change in the weather. I don't sweat as much when we bike.
It is really great that you were able to go to the temple dedication. One of the visions that the stake presidency has for Santa Rosa is a temple here. I've had that on my mind a lot. I'm part of the ministry that can make that vision happen. I can imagine coming back in ten years or so to see its dedication. We were able to hear the stake presidency speak yesterday. Every transfer in Santa Rosa we missionaries gather at one of the stake presidencies home. We met at President Henderson's home yesterday. He is a very wonderful man. He is in his thirties, and was never a bishop. He went from a ward mission leader to stake president last year. He is going to do great things. He is very optimistic about the growth of the Church in Santa Rosa, especially these days. At no other time has there been so much publicity. I'm grateful to be serving in an area with good leaders.
I love that scripture you shared. I live in one of the most interesting political climates in the world, I think.
Elder Maxwell is wonderful. I am glad that you enjoy those books. I read a talk by him called "Patience". It is on the BYU speeches website, if you would like to read it.
I am grateful for the chance I have to serve. There was a story that President Newton, a member of the stake presidency, shared with us last night. When he was a boy, about three, he really wanted to help his dad change the oil in the car (reminds me of when we were working on the Summit house). His dad told him to take a wrench and tighten a bolt on the underside. Now, the boy was three, so he couldn't budge it either way. But, he thought he was helping his dad and was so happy.
He shared another story that was similar to that. His uncle talked about how we "paint with God". All of the work that I do isn't really my work, it is Heavenly Father's. I'm like the little boy, who may not even be a help, but is still so happy at the thought that he can help his Father out. Sometimes I'm clumsy and God has to follow up and fix whatever I attempted to paint. Still, He is letting me learn. He is letting me grow.
I didn't do the story justice, but it made me feel some more hope. So, I thought I'd share it.
Everything is going well. I'm constantly learning how to submit to God's will. Obedience is key. Sometimes it is a daunting goal, especially the ones that have to do with my mindset. I have confidence that I can do it, though. 1 Nephi 3:7 brings me a lot of comfort. That promise applies not only to things like getting plates or building ships, but also to changing our natures.
I love you Mom. I'll send my card home. I haven't taken many pictures, but I'll get you what I have.
Love,
Elder Williams
No comments:
Post a Comment