Coming Home July 2011

"TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON AND A TIME UNDER THE HEAVEN." ECCLESIASTES 3:1

Working on new material for the blog!

It has taken me awhile to decide what to do with the blog. I felt lost not posting pictures of the missionaries and I've felt lost with not having my missionary routine. We are starting to settle into a different routine and I have decided to start blogging again. It will take me a little while to get things squared away but we are rolling into the next phase of our journey in life - recovery from the best experience of our lives ( the mission), knee surgery( Tim's), physical therapy for my back, and the economy with our business. We look forward to continuing our growth spiritually and preparing for what comes next!

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Zone Conferences April 2010

Zone Conference this transfer was on Chapter 8 of Preach My Gospel "USING TIME WISELY." Both conferences were very informative. Elders Howard, Allred, Hess and Goodfellow talked about the "AREA BOOK" which is a record of investigators, in actives, and members being taught. President Fry had each companionship bring their area books and went thur it to organize them and learn how to effectively use them. That was very helpful.The area book is a great missionary tool and if we keep the record up to date it helps the next set of missionaries that come into the area. SETTING GOALS was also talked about by Elders Williams and Elder Jones. They said" Be specific and realistic when setting goals. Look at past goals and evaluate them. Make better goals. Goals help us to reach our full potential. Elders Steele, Shipp, Duffy and Smith talked about ACCOUNTABILITY. Some of their comments were: Be accountable to 1) self (moral agency - moral discipline - sometimes we do what is easy - not necessarily what is right. We are accountable for how we use our time. We can be a more affective missionary by using our time wisely.)2) leaders (called by a Prophet of God to be here. We are accountable to our leaders as we strive to improve and be more obedient.) 3) God. (He has given us our talents and this stewardship - we need to give Him an account daily). Elder Beus and Elder Whitehead talked about PLANNING DAILY and demonstrated a planning session. It incorporated the use of the area book also. They said," Good success in the mission is due to good planning. Make planning a revelatory experience." The spirit was strong and the leaders have great knowledge and respect of the Gospel.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Elders Steele, Shipp, Duffy and Smith talked about ACCOUNTABILITY. Some of their comments were: Be accountable to 1) self (moral agency - moral discipline - sometimes we do what is easy - not necessarily what is right."

Muriel Strode said:

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

To which I say:

"If Muriel strode where there was no path... ...what did she leave a trail of?

Some paths are good, others not so good... now the question is; Are we really following a path or are we forging our own as we view the paths left by others, borrowing that which is good, for we see that it may help to bridge future uncertainties?"

To paraphrase one whose path I have borrowed from many times...

"Travel a path of heart... ...as opposed to a path of convenience." ~~ Daniel Grayling Fogelberg

Oh what a beautiful email I received.

-----------------------------

Dear Kyiv Ukraine Temple Mailing List subscribers:

The First Presidency has announced the dates for the open house, cultural celebration, and dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple. They are as follows:

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, August 7 - Saturday, August 21, 2010 (except Sundays)

CULTURAL CELEBRATION
Saturday, August 28, 2010

TEMPLE DEDICATION
Sunday, August 29, 2010 (in three sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m.)

TEMPLE OPEN FOR ORDINANCES
Monday, August 30, 2010

What a wonderful blessing this House of the Lord will be to the Saints!

Sincerely,

Rick Satterfield
LDSChurchTemples.com

-------------------------------

Thanks for all that you do.

Brett Martin Smith
Hillside Ward ~ Ward Missionary

Anonymous said...

PS... Let me share a missionary experience. Tuesday morning as I readied to go give service at the Bishop's Storehouse I thought that I need not bring my carrying case with copies of The Book of Mormon, El Libro de Mormon and other various and sundry LDS related items because, after all, would not all those who are there be LDS? But the Spirit reminded me that I was raised as a Cub and Boy Scout and that I should always "Be Prepared". So I took it with me. The first person I'm assigned to serve with is NOT a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints but Catholic. Her nickname is Country... ...My nickname is Country Boy Extraordinaire because although I wear what some would say is a Cowboy Hat, Boots, Wranglers... ...I am not a Cowboy... ...I don't brand cattle etc... ...but I grew of in the farming community of Lehi, Arizona with ducks, chickens, pigs, rabbits, horses, dogs, a "Thundering Herd" of cats as my mother would call them, pigeons and although we did not own a cow... ...I assure you that I do know how to milk one and how to strain it in the event the bovine animal happens to put her hoof in the pail. Now, I start sharing trhe gospel with Country and she says to me:

"Now you Mormon's think that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate Beings... ...but everyone else says they are one. Explain that!!!"

As guided by the Spirit I said:

"Okay. Who did Jesus pray to in Gethsemane? Himself?"

Country said:

"No... ...okay you got me on that one... ...but what about the Holy Spirit?"

Once again, as guided by the Spirit I said:

"When Jesus was baptised by John, The Baptist, did not the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus like a dove? Was there not a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased?"

She smiled and said:

"Yes."

I told her I would be right back and I went and grabbed a copy of The Book of Mormon, put my testimony in it. I shared with her Moroni's promise, Helaman 5:12, 1st Nephi 3:7, John 10:16.

When Country left that day she came to me and gave me a hug, and she left with a copy of The Book of Mormon.

I am a Ward Missionary... ...and I am thankful to God for the Holy Ghost... ...for without that member of the Godhead to guide me and my words... ...I am lost with nothing to say... ...with Him... ...I can speak with the Authority of God for "WE" do not convert anyone... ...the Holy Ghost does... ...but it's nice to be there when the conversion takes place. The following is from the Bible Dictionary under the heading "Holy Ghost".

"When a person speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost that same power carries a conviction of the truth into the heart of the hearer (2 Ne. 33: 1)."

The following day, I returned to the Bishop's Storehouse and was assigned to work in the cannery. I met a young man from the Navajo nation by the name of Lorrison... ...we shared poetry with each other along with stories of our beliefs... ...I talked with him about The Book of Mormon and he agreed to read it and pray.

Pray for Missionary Experiences and they will come... ...but when you pray for them, be committed to act upon the answers you receive for that is the definition of praying witrh "Real Intent" as described on page 73 of "Preach My Gospel."

What a joy this sweet sentance gives... ...I KNOW that my Redeemer lives!!!

I say these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen