2Lovellscalled2serve: Selwin's First Talk

Monday, June 1, 2015

Selwin's First Talk

On our way to another day of service

This week has been one filled with service, literally. We have been helping people move most of this week. It seems summer is the time when everyone moves out and as missionaries we are always looking for those opportunities. You know we have to find someway to get our exercise in, got to get these muscles big somehow.

This week I gave my first talk as a missionary! Yeah, I know what you're thinking "really? your first one?" After being in two other wards and not having to give one I was pretty sure it would be the same here but they got me. I didn't mind because the ward here is awesome. So after getting my topic more than two (2) weeks ago I was prompted to speak on something else and that something else was about the importance of the Book of Mormon to us as individuals and as families. I shared the story about my brother and how he had stopped reading the Book of Mormon for a while only to realize later he was only one page away from actually finishing the book in it's entirety.

Another porch find!

One of the first things I did as a missionary was have an interview with my mission president. During that interview he inquired of me about my reading the Book of Mormon and when I got to my very first area I should start it over from the beginning. All I remember thinking was, “is this guy crazy? Do you know how long it took me to get to the book of Alma?" Anyway I didn't do it but I did take his advice about writing down the things that stuck out to me as I read from the Book of Mormon.

During my first transfer out here I decided to listen to a few talks by President Ezra Taft Benson and if you have ever heard this servant of the Lord speak you will know the Book Of Mormon will always be mentioned. But this is what he said that made me see the Book of Mormon from a whole new perspective:

“… The Book of Mormon has not been, nor is it yet, the center of our personal study, family teaching, preaching, and missionary work. Of this we must repent.”

And so I did just that and my studies got a lot more serious. What stuck out to me the most is every single page of the Book of Mormon teaches us a principle of the gospel. Principles which can be and should be applied in our everyday life. We have been given a gift in our day and it should be treasured because it testifies to us all of the love God has for us and that He lives. Regardless of your circumstance I urge you to read, ponder the words of the Book of Mormon and pray about what you have read. I promise you the Lord will open your minds and hearts to the understanding of His words and if you already are doing this, keep doing it. I know the Lord lives and He has blessed us with His words in our day so our lives and the lives of those around us can be blessed.

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Funny, interesting or amazing things they say

May 15 - Selwin spoke twice today - once in the Southgate 3rd Ward and then at Brookdale's Sacrament meeting. After the meeting one sister approached him and whispered in his ear saying, "my sister always told me to 'never forget how important you are'."

The second sister told him, "you should always smile because your dimples are so adorable!"

April 3, 2016 - The Cannon's, who had returned home on Friday after 18-months managing missionary apartments in the Mississippi Jackson Mission, stopped by the house to deliver a package from Elder Selwin who they described as "an exceptional missionary and an outstanding young man."

March 16, 2015 - Hi, my name is Deborah Albert, and your son (Elder Selwin) is here serving in my town (Gulfport) right now. I just wanted to tell you that he is a pretty awesome missionary !! We like him a lot !!

May 7 - Almost every day someone asks about our missionary twins. Today it was my doctor. We chatted briefly about how they're doing and how well Simeon and Selwin were integrated into our ward / neighborhood. "It doesn't surprise me," he said, "because they are fine young men and so easy to like!"

May 5 – We were at a funeral and in the middle of the service my caller ID showed an incoming call from "Jackson, MS." Since I only know ONE person in Jackson, MS, I jumped up to take the call, my heart pounding fearing something might have happened to Elder Selwin since missionaries are only allowed to call home on Mothers' Day and Christmas. I answered to hear a familiar voice asking, "Hi, do you know who this is?” It seems they can still make me smile - even from a thousand miles away!

April 1 - Kenrick Benn writes: The time is just around the corner when “our” two sons will be out in the mission field. I believe those two can convert even the hardest heart. Sister Benn and I would like to thank you two wonderful people for all you have done for us and for the two young men I love as a father loves his sons.

March 24, 2014 - Upon our return from SoCal, Selwin sheepishly said, "if you left the car in the driveway and the keys on the hook as a test, you should know, I failed!"