Thanksgiving!

12/2/13

Take a look at that word again:

Thanksgiving

I've learned this week that we show thanks by giving. Are we truly grateful? I know I always need to work on being more grateful, because if I was, I would be entirely selfless (that's the goal, right?). When you recognize that all that you have isn't yours, you are ready and willing to give it up. You are more humble and sacrificing things is easy. I know I have a lot of work to do in the area of gratitude, so I am grateful that we have this time set aside to celebrate everything we are blessed with.

They say that missionaries have a hard time during the holidays because it's easy to get homesick. I love my family and definitley miss them, but I can not think of a better way to spend this holiday season than to be giving of all my time, energy, and talents to the Savior. I invite you all to find a way to do that as well, because that is how you will find the greatest joy.

That is what we have been sharing with the members of the Green Hills ward these past couple weeks. From Elder Ballard's talk from conference:

"The key is that you be inspired of God, that you ask Him for direction and then go and do as the Spirit prompts you. When members view the work of salvation as their responsibility alone, it can be intimidating. When they view it as an invitation to follow the Lord in bringing souls unto Him to be taught by the full-time elders and sisters, it is inspiring, invigorating, and uplifting.

We are not asking everyone to do everything. We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and old, will reach out to just “one” between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior."

We invite you to take Elder Ballard's challenge for this holiday season and go the extra mile to reach out to someone that you wouldn't normally reach out to. Missionary work is so needed! Even in Utah! I remember that I felt like I couldn't do much in Utah before I left on my mission, but after the June Broadcast, I started praying for missionary opportunities, and I know that when we do that, the Lord will put them in your path. That happened to me! I got to have really great missionary experiences before I left because I simply asked. We can all look for someone to share the gospel with or our testimonies with.

Sister Tenny and I have really focused in on what we can do to be better missionaries. We have some great ideas that we hope to impliment! Here are a few:

-We have many less-active and active members who struggle to study the Book of Mormon, and therefore struggle with their testimony of it, because they don't understand it or know how to study the principles and impliment them into their lives. There is institute for the YSA ward, but not for adults in our ward. I remember how much my mom loved it, and I can understand why! It's a great pick-me-up during the week, and we feel that the ward members here would really benefit from something like that. So, we want to start a Book of Mormon class where they can attend and learn how to study effectively and learn how to really apply the teachings of the Book of Mormon into their lives.

-We are serving in the heart of NASHVILLE, the city of music! Everyone here is musical or appreciates good music and since Sister Tenny and I are both passionate about music, we want to have a regular musical fireside that ward members can participate in that teaches the principles of the Restoration. THIS will draw people's attention and will be an easy invite for ward members to their friends. They will come, feel the powerful spirit of the music and the principles, and learn about how what we believe is very similar to other beliefs in the South. Music speaks to people here, and we know that it is a great tool that we are not using to it's fullest capacity.

-We feel strongly to not only work with the members, but to work closely with the youth as well. We have worked hard to build relationships with them and have plans to have specific, powerful, activities about implimenting missionary work into their lives, and after that night of role-plays and training, we are going to have an activity that is really fun that they will all be encouraged to invite a friend to. We will go and do something really fun and then for the last ten minutes have a powerful spiritual thought. We know that doors will open through the youth that may not have opened through tracting.

I love it here in Green Hills! The work is definitley hard here. It feels like we are pushing against a brick wall most days, but then we have those days where it totally pays off and it's all worth it.

Ok, one more scripture, then I promise I'm done :)

1 Nephi 10:18-19

"For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

If you ask, He will give it to you. Whether it's the question of "Where should I go to college?"  "Should I prepare for a mission?" "Who should I share the gospel with?" "How can I possibly forgive?" He has all of the answers. He has a path for us, all we have to do is truly ask, with our whole heart, and work (study our scriptures, fast, pray) and He will tell us! It may take time, but it will always work out. I promise.

Happy Thanksgiving!