Re: Letter 50 of 3
Dear Riley:
It’s nearly 9:30 at night and I’m just sitting down to write. Not sure if I’ll get very far before you’re online, but this is how my Sundays will be for awhile until Tithing Settlement is over.
I can hardly believe it! Two more days until my two year mark as bishop and four days until your one year mark as a missionary. If the next year goes by even half as fast as the last one, you’ll be home before you know it. So, keep working hard. I can’t help but feel you’re being prepared for great things.
Congratulations on your recent baptism. It’s something special when you get to see the conversion process from the start which leads to baptism. It was a treat to see the pictures of you with your care package. I hope you were surprised. We tried to set your expectations somewhat lower than what we planned to execute, and we couldn’t have pulled it off without the help of Sister H’s mother. I know the bread isn’t quite as good when it’s a couple days old in a plastic bag, but it was made with love and hopefully it will tie you over for awhile and make home seem not quite so far away. One picture showed you with what appeared to be perhaps a third of the loaf just kicking back and enjoying it. I guess the rest was devoured by other missionaries??
Today was great day, but I’m exhausted. Our Sacrament meeting was excellent, which is usually the case, but I was particularly moved by the speakers. I had assigned a recently moved in sister the topic of Opening the Windows of Heaven – The Miracle of Tithing. I had no idea that this topic had such a personal connection with her, but as I listened I began to appreciate how inspired the speaker selection had been for this particular topic. She shared several tender personal experiences with tithing while she was a single mother of three small children just trying to make ends meet. Her experiences clearly demonstrated that God knows and loves each one of us personally, and that when we exercise our faith and agency correctly, we bind God to His word. He therefore MUST bless us. It was a very personal and extraordinary testimony of this concept. Sometimes God pours down manna from heaven, sometime he makes the flour and the oil last far beyond what is normal, sometimes he helps a dollar to purchase $10 worth of produce, sometimes he extends the life of our vehicles, appliances, clothing, or other expendable resources. Sometimes it comes by way of better employment, an increase in wages, improvement in health, an enhancement in our ability to perform our labors, etc. But bless He must and bless He will until our basket is overflowing and we are left to wonder at his goodness and power.
Our second speaker was a High Council member. He spoke on testimony and what it takes to keep it alive. It utilized two talks from April conference and was well prepared and delivered. I was filled with gratitude for the Spirit and the blessing of testimony. I just felt bad for those individuals who don’t and won’t see it or feel it.
I got to go to Cambry’s Ward today and hear her sing a solo. She’s gotten quite good and it was a simply gorgeous rendition of Be Still, My Soul. C played the piano and the whole thing was beautiful. They make quite the couple and are tremendously happy together.
In closing I came across something in my missionary journal which could be useful. In Brazil the Church was considerably younger and more prone to false doctrinal concepts. Throughout my mission in different areas, I mentioned this again and again giving examples of how off track they were in many areas. I laughed about it, rolled my eyes, even got embarrassed but, I think if I had it to do over again, knowing what I do now, I would be quick to correct (in private) and make sure the doctrine remained pure. Perhaps you’ve come across this and maybe you’ve even said something to get things back on track. I was not so assertive and believe now it was my responsibility as a missionary to assist in weeding out the doctrines of the world.
Well, it’s late and I’m tired. I hope I didn’t miss getting this to you. Take care, keep your head up. We pray daily for your safety and success.
Love,
Dad
No comments:
Post a Comment