Weekly note Feb 21

Brethren

I hope this note finds you in good spirits and looking forward to things to come!! There is so much good all around us if we take the time to notice.

In our last EQ meeting Bro Walpole led us in a discussion about the necessity for us to look to Christ at all times and then believe in his mercy. Sometimes we make hasty decisions that lead to heartache. I really liked the story Bro Walpole told about feeding the dairy cows. Apparently the fuel pump on truck they used to feed with broke, and so they decided they would have someone ride up under the hood on top of the motor, and pour gasoline directly into the carburetor. It ended up with the brother pouring the gas catching on fire and testing the stop, drop, and roll theory. Quite amusing now but obviously could have ended badly. I’m sure we’ve all had situations like this where we were in a hurry to get something done and didn’t think it through. Likewise, and more importantly, do we do this with our spiritual decisions. We have been taught that the Holy Ghost speaks in a still small voice. Sometimes maybe we are moving too fast and loud to hear. I definitely can get caught up in the mindset of go go go and get it done rather than slow down and make sure it’s what the Lord wants. We don’t understand all his ways yet we know he will guide us if we listen.

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to sit in counsel with Elder Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve. What a wonderful experience that was to listen and learn. I want to share a couple things he taught that I think can help all of us… Someone asked the question to him “ Looking back on your life is there anything you wish you would have taught your children more, or differently than you did?” His answer was… I would have spoke more about the Savior and less about the Church as well as more about how the Holy Ghost works in their lives. Brethren this is wonderful council. The thing that kept being brought up through this conference was how we need to make the Savior the center of everything we do. He needs to be the focus of all our thoughts and actions. The Church is wonderful and is a great place to get support but Jesus Christ is the Gospel!! Another thing along these lines he said is we need to look for times when we see the Lord in our lives and then write it down. This will help us focus on him, and strengthen our testimony of him, so when the world turns away we will be able to stand as his representative and not be ashamed. Brethren the world is moving away from religion. Christianity is declining. There will be times, if you haven’t already had them, where you have to stand for the Savior. It will not be easy unless you take the time, and put in the effort to build a personal relationship with him. I hope each of you will do this.

This Sunday is Ward Conference. Sacrament meeting is at 10:30am and then we will combine with the Relief Society in the gym to be taught by our Stake Leaders. It would be wonderful to have all of you there.

I hope your ministering efforts are going well. Please let me know if you would like any help in this area. I would be glad to go make visits with you, or just sit in council on ways to make it better. I’m always available to you. Thanks for all you do in this.

Last I want to give a huge thanks to those who helped with the parking and cleaning assignments for the special conference. It’s so awesome to have brethren step up and serve the way that you do. Makes me proud to be part of this group! ( on a side note we parked 273 cars in that grass field Saturday afternoon with probably another 220ish in the paved lot ) That’s a lot of cars!!!