Two thoughts from conference--
“Fatigue is the common enemy of us all-–so slow down, rest up, replenish, and refill.”
October (some repeated from last week since I am doing this a week earlier than intended.)
8 Cort and Alicia 2004
12 Sawyer Smith 2011 (Timm's)
14 Ethan Webber 2004 (Cara's)
17 Robbie Smith 1991
18 Charlotte Bailey
18 Dodie Blake
Missionary updates:
Kieren Serving in Brazil: I have learned so much from my district. They are such amazing people. All the elders are 18 but they are very mature for their age. Our district leader, Elder Thurgood, shared his experience about receiving his mission call. he was his high school´s quarterback and did track and choir and all sorts of stuff so basically everyone knew that when he got his call and he said he got to share the gospel with so many people that way. I think that is one cool thing about people being able to go when they are younger, that they can share it with people in high school and stuff. He reminds me of Gavin (sorry if I embarass you) because everyone looks up to him and he is funny and nice, but knows what is most important in life and knows when to be serious and be a great leader. He leads the district in unity and dignity.
English is hard. Also, I can speak Português 50 times better than Spanish at this point even though I have studied Spanish since first grade and portuguese for such a short time. The gift of tongues is real.
I got to play for a special musical number with my friend, Elder Tello, who is an amazing singer from Argentina, I think. It was a wonderful experience and it has been so great to have so many opportunities to play the piano and share my talents here. So much fun!
ward.
Easton in Canada writes a brief thought. In Mosiah 27, an angel appears to Alma and calls him to repentance. After the charge has been made and the instruction given, the angel says this:
16 Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of aHelam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bbondage, and he has cdelivered them.
As I read this I took some time to ponder this invitation and why the angel would invite him to remember the captivity of his fathers. As I thought I was reminded of Moroni's Challenge at the end of the Book of Mormon. I then remembered several other verses from the Book of Mormon where people are invited to remember the past experience of their "fathers" and then to act on that knowledge. It seems to me that a remembrance of the sufferings and blessings of those who have gone before helps us to grow closer to God and to feel the Spirit's influence more in our lives. I have invited you before and will do so again: Take some time today to think of all the blessings you and your fathers have received from our Father in Heaven. Ponder on the great sacrifices of the early saints and the people of the scriptures. Count not only your blessings but the blessings of others that brought you here. When things get tough and you feel weighed down with worry and stress, take some time to remember your blessings and then go out and be a blessing to someone else. I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that these things are true. I know that the principles taught in the scriptures are written for us and to help us. I love the scriptures.
Liam in Madasacar told a nice story. We taught Germaine and Elisa Friday and Saturday. They are a married couple with two young kids (Matthew, who is 4 and a few month old baby). They are a wonderful couple and Germaine is the one who got his work schedule changed so he could come to church. Well, Elisa still hadn't made it to church. One reason, come to find out, is that she was embarrassed because she didn't have "good enough" clothes to go. We clearly explained that clothes are not important. What is important is US being there. God doesn't look on the outside and neither do the members. We are all going for the same reason. To be cleansed from our sins and to receive spiritual strength and nourishment. This Sunday Germaine and Elisa came to church looking so clean and happy! They looked great. And they looked so happy to be at church! It was great!
UPDATES
Here in Virginia, everyone has unexpected time to do things they had been too busy for. (Government shut down.) Tens of thousands of folks are just sitting around, waiting for Congress to get their act together. Bryce has used the time to fix some things around the house that I couldnt fix and he hasnt had time to do them. He also had time to shop for some new suits since his have gotten worn out. And he got a lot of church work done. We are hoping that everyone can go back to work soon, but it isn't looking very promising. Finally, I am happy to report that my service mission is off to a bang. I have been super busy the last two weeks, before it settled down a bit this week. I got my official nametag, which I am excited about.
In two weeks, Bryce and I are taking a trip to Utah. We are going because Bryce is co-presenting at the Sperry Symposium. (Here is a blurb about the symposium. The Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, held annually at the end of October at Brigham Young University, features speakers from BYU Religious Education, Seminary and Institute teachers in the Church Education System, and other gospel scholars. The symposium focus is traditionally on the topic for Gospel Doctrine and Church study for the upcoming year. The symposium[is held] Saturday [October 26th] with presentations from various presenters on Old Testament topics.) For those interested in attending, the symposium is free. There are 7 presentations each of 4 hours. Bryce presents with his friend at 10:00 am. They are presenting on "Parallels between Psalms 25-31 and the Psalm of Nephi."
Recently, Kenny/Natalie/Addie/Truman went camping with my niece/Natalie's cousin (on Bryce's side), Stephanie and her husband, Adam and 2 kids. Natalie's Addie (age 2) and Stephanie's Jack (age 3) are best buds. So they loved camping together. Everyone had a good time.
I mentioned last week that Katie and Connor had gone to California to go to Disneyland, and visited/stayed with Grandma Baker there. While there, Emmy picked oranges from Grandma's orange trees and made orange juice. I found some pictures I thought were fun. Katie and Emmy doing the same thing, just about 25 years apart.
Finally, David writes, "Because of his recent accident, Stu may be thinking of retirement.
The attachment allows you to anticipate what he will do in retirement."
On that sick note, I will end this one. Not a lot of news since it has only been one week, but that will make it easier/quicker to read!
Work hard, study hard, pray hard.
Carol
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