tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89729436400643200892024-03-05T17:18:21.454-08:002Lovellscalled2serve"I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded ..."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-3175846415202034442016-06-24T11:23:00.001-07:002016-06-24T11:23:08.808-07:00Simeon Now a Graduate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Simeon graduated last night from Southwest High School here in St. George. He signed up to get a GED a couple of weeks after returning from his mission. He hadn’t finished high school in Guyana – dropped out so he could find a job to help his family – but felt strongly he needed to cross that finish line in his life. A few days into his studies at SWHS, he decided he wanted to get a diploma instead! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In an effort to complete the required 22 packets, his studies frequently kept him up until midnight or later after a full work day in the hot sun … but, not only did he complete 13 credits, he did so in record time, finishing faster than any student had EVER done at SWHS - and with <i>20 A’s and 2 B’s</i>. Then to cap off his successes, he was asked to be the commencement speaker!!!<br /><br />We are so proud of this great young man who is hardworking, determined and anxious to succeed in school and in life!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-41042819459559826622016-05-31T07:16:00.000-07:002016-05-31T07:16:06.690-07:00Simeon on the Move<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe2HMBxG7hI6emA1dvENTOuIeIiuJtDX-V-KfbrzSzVHu49fEoKFnjCzEK0MgdkrsEx6OOX6mHzYRXTI7aaZAVoAgmtqxNW6TpeR4GSsVFXo1NuZl11FnMBZH5BD193nU2FYfwUfAVTg/s1600/Downloads1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe2HMBxG7hI6emA1dvENTOuIeIiuJtDX-V-KfbrzSzVHu49fEoKFnjCzEK0MgdkrsEx6OOX6mHzYRXTI7aaZAVoAgmtqxNW6TpeR4GSsVFXo1NuZl11FnMBZH5BD193nU2FYfwUfAVTg/s640/Downloads1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Since arriving home in St. George, Simeon has been busy, busy, busy! The first order of business was to get a job. Hours after he got off the airplane, he was hired by Pool Tech to clean swimming pools. Then he signed up at Southwest High School to complete his GED, but decided after a couple of classes, to go for his diploma instead. He (and Selwin) also enrolled at Dixie State University for the fall semester.<br />
<br />
In his limited amount of leisure time, Simeon even participated in the BYU Alumni Association - St. George Chapter's 5K FunRun on Saturday, May 21 ... where he placed 2nd and won a free all-you-can-eat buffet dinner at Golden Corral. Fun times!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-67075553931504278492016-05-26T18:43:00.000-07:002016-05-27T06:59:02.255-07:00Selwin Saying Goodbye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EFvRZkZ6dWAAEcmlXK4VbYbOGV_Mn2AkzU_38dKe70i3KR_slUTw8AvmWoyC21momABBQMO_gZ-UTtTpMt7fNnhEgNd6OZQB1cNAU3dlKl_FldpFjySeJrgzCMOXElZbA4LFu42bWYY/s1600/selwinsmissionpicture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EFvRZkZ6dWAAEcmlXK4VbYbOGV_Mn2AkzU_38dKe70i3KR_slUTw8AvmWoyC21momABBQMO_gZ-UTtTpMt7fNnhEgNd6OZQB1cNAU3dlKl_FldpFjySeJrgzCMOXElZbA4LFu42bWYY/s640/selwinsmissionpicture1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Top left: The Martin's from Purvis, MS; Sister Matealona and Sister Rose; Troy and Charlotte Spiers of Purvis, MS;<br />Elder Stokes being Elder Stokes; and the Dennees and the Evans of Purvis, MS.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2Dv3dWl-jHMkeSqGK9fXOuivcrxdq0KZOFICbhQ5s5YGGVEwbtSlyssZ0pQzprPoGZwxXoOsv6nR44ybCYzq6nAnO1jBBwxkQ5bb_jiD37R0v-7xO0vnbd8Mloic7RHCPULYd9SgthY/s1600/selwinsmissionpicture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2Dv3dWl-jHMkeSqGK9fXOuivcrxdq0KZOFICbhQ5s5YGGVEwbtSlyssZ0pQzprPoGZwxXoOsv6nR44ybCYzq6nAnO1jBBwxkQ5bb_jiD37R0v-7xO0vnbd8Mloic7RHCPULYd9SgthY/s640/selwinsmissionpicture2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>From left: Robert Seay of Bossier City, LA; the Parks family of Bossier City, LA; Elder Franklin;<br />the Osburns of Bossier City, LA and the Reynders,</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0OSQ3ih0MJdsdyjyV47OhLGoSSQY79rayXHn5QtF4gd8lyAFbHao3HxHfZxv9WZdnAyW5cfqmFVSNg7yvqXCSJFKB5BbeHPg5TJu5_IkeqMoWKDMXOuJshwo79XgIHIv50IshkiArVY/s1600/selwinsmissionpicture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0OSQ3ih0MJdsdyjyV47OhLGoSSQY79rayXHn5QtF4gd8lyAFbHao3HxHfZxv9WZdnAyW5cfqmFVSNg7yvqXCSJFKB5BbeHPg5TJu5_IkeqMoWKDMXOuJshwo79XgIHIv50IshkiArVY/s640/selwinsmissionpicture3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>From left: Jim and Brigitte Arroyo; the Kucks; Charles and Sonia Herrin;<br />the Austins and the Shan and Karma Thompson family ... all of Purvis, MS</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI2Yksc-U77LyrqCx8qxiclGFJHvAnNlHx7IDF9Xs_A9R1amSCGxFlldzLYTUk_LgYnihvu-Y_WYbF81L-FsCaRbl1f28CVCGcqgwR8QJKc1rOhYv6Fi4Ti7zwwT-JCDgnj_BO187p-A/s1600/selwinsmissionpicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI2Yksc-U77LyrqCx8qxiclGFJHvAnNlHx7IDF9Xs_A9R1amSCGxFlldzLYTUk_LgYnihvu-Y_WYbF81L-FsCaRbl1f28CVCGcqgwR8QJKc1rOhYv6Fi4Ti7zwwT-JCDgnj_BO187p-A/s640/selwinsmissionpicture.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Top left: on our way to the airport; missionaries all heading for home;<br />Richard and Candi Thrasher of Purvis, MS; Elder and Sister Campbell; and Elders Hansen, Petersen, Marvin and me</i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">Elder Selwin Lovell was reunited on Wednesday, April 13, with his twin brother Simeon and the rest of his St. George family after an honorable release from two years of full-time missionary service in the Mississippi Jackson Mission. The Guyanese "son" of Ed and Linda Sappington called his experiences in Mississippi, Louisiana and parts of Arkansas and Texas "awesome," "life-changing," "exciting," "full of fun adventures," and "a great opportunity to meet amazing and one-of-a-kind, beautiful people."</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">The best part of his mission, he says, was "finding the Lord's lost sheep." Only slightly less enjoyable was the last 2 1/2 months when he was assigned as a Special Assistant to the President while on crutches because of a broken leg. Although he was able to travel the mission and work closely with the missionaries, his limitations prevented him from the joy of "finding." </span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">The most important lesson learned in his "best two years" is "the importance of following the Spirit in everything you do" while also having the "wonderful opportunity to get to know my Savior."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">Selwin's mission president Bruce L. Olson wrote: "We are grateful to have had Elder Lovell in the Mississippi Jackson Mission. Sister Olson and I have loved serving with Elder Lovell. We have watched him grow in his faith and love for the Savior. We have seen him strengthen the missionaries and members around him. He has been an outstanding missionary and will be missed."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">The MJM is the only mission in the Magnolia State where the Church has seen slower-than-usual growth with Church membership now totaling 21,630 in 44 wards and branches.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">What's next for this Elder Lovell? "My Plan," which missionaries are expected to complete prior to release includes, "work, school and - for my eternal welfare - to find a wife."</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-56738994662053949012016-04-14T06:43:00.003-07:002016-05-25T07:39:09.328-07:00Together Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Uy31cIM6EoIl-R08FQLXIXeHFxVHI6g0fsra-tm3dePGW4pbnwyN4AmcGNkOlS6i37pAqJ4wVraHGOE43zMYUUQqpLKLKIKVXY_ISPolhvXml04pgGtiiMsGBQEIZtFPPCbZQeg4n0M/s1600/Selwinshome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Uy31cIM6EoIl-R08FQLXIXeHFxVHI6g0fsra-tm3dePGW4pbnwyN4AmcGNkOlS6i37pAqJ4wVraHGOE43zMYUUQqpLKLKIKVXY_ISPolhvXml04pgGtiiMsGBQEIZtFPPCbZQeg4n0M/s640/Selwinshome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC29xeJ8xiPgQxCTvt5lOzJSh5hARWIJf89jaY1DEYIdoMyyVqYxqdKtY3w3P4G2iZGMxnvPtQ-6bcxZkTZ85iR699IzKCI6aHMlOFXN4fKf60m87t9lexZdJoQrjRvOJWzocl4OrHaPE/s1600/Selwinshome1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC29xeJ8xiPgQxCTvt5lOzJSh5hARWIJf89jaY1DEYIdoMyyVqYxqdKtY3w3P4G2iZGMxnvPtQ-6bcxZkTZ85iR699IzKCI6aHMlOFXN4fKf60m87t9lexZdJoQrjRvOJWzocl4OrHaPE/s640/Selwinshome1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;">It was a joyful reunion at the St. George Airport, when on Wednesday, April 13, Elder Selwin Lovell was reunited with his identical twin brother Simeon Lovell after their combined 26 months of full-time missionary service (Selwin in Mississippi Jackson and Simeon in Georgia Atlanta). </span><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;">Selwin's mission president Bruce L. Olson wrote: "We are grateful to have had Elder Lovell in the Mississippi Jackson Mission. He has been an outstanding missionary.</span><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;">"Sister Olson and I have loved serving with Elder Lovell. We have watched him grow in his faith and his love for the Savior. We have seen him strengthen the missionaries and members around him and he will be missed. We have encouraged him to continue to be faithful and keep his sacred covenants, to serve where he is called and to continue to bless the lives of all those with whom he comes in contact. We express our gratitude for your support and love for him during his service. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family."</span><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;">To Southgate Stake President James Bown, Selwin's mission president wrote: "Elder Lovell has served faithfully. He has studied and applied the gospel and has acquired Christ-like attributes which will bless and benefit himself and others throughout his life. He has been an example to all of the missionaries with whom he has served and has strengthened the faith of members in wards and branches."</span><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;">Selwin was also welcomed home by Stacy and Rick, Kendi and her friend Taylor, Taisley, Danielle and our Bishop Mike Bair and his family including wife Lori, daughters Brianna, Cara and Aspen. Following Selwin's meeting and release by St. George Southgate Stake President James Bown, family and friends gathered for a hamburger cookout at home.</span><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><br style="color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;">Certainly many stories are still to come from this "exceptional missionary and fine young man" who served in the deep South, but the future is bright for the twins, though certain to include hardwork, school and eventually marriage and families.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-20807879980879348432016-04-12T21:12:00.002-07:002016-05-26T18:22:20.090-07:00Selwin's Last Letter from the Mission Field<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Jason and Krista Grover family in Purvis, MS</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;">So
the time has been spent, memories made and awesome adventures had and it has
been a blast. This week we had the opportunity of visiting with fourteen or
more companionships (I lost count). It was just amazing to say the least. The
spirit was our biggest teacher this week and it was awesome. Well, the time has
finally come and after two years of full time service as a missionary I'm
coming home, but the work continues. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Well,
I don't know what else to write but heres a little something for you:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In
the garden He bled for me <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">On
the cross He died for me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Resurrected
He set me free, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yes,
Christ certainly paved a way for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7gkORyTtmLKYTXzAEb5Vs33KABsJi2mWfkU_aLkGtp8-0ZjZS1waHERIpg3J6L9TRPJG57RaKXqjx05d04_L49OVQOwUjuuoXYjDRaLi0zad7qmiv_pOWzmcJXZD9kYqrjr9hh0LxMY/s1600/DSCN3771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7gkORyTtmLKYTXzAEb5Vs33KABsJi2mWfkU_aLkGtp8-0ZjZS1waHERIpg3J6L9TRPJG57RaKXqjx05d04_L49OVQOwUjuuoXYjDRaLi0zad7qmiv_pOWzmcJXZD9kYqrjr9hh0LxMY/s400/DSCN3771.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Selwin's biggest fans: the Ishee family in Petal, MS</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I
give Him all the thanks. I give Him all the glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Just
look at the Bible and Book of Mormon and you'll see this isn't a made up story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">His
Father's gospel He taught. The straight and narrow path He walked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yes,
He was definitely without fault, yet they nailed Him to that cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Perfect
in all attributes worthy to fill every shoe and yes He did it all for me and
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Well
that's all that I've got for you so until I see you later.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-73604124653730160212016-04-05T17:27:00.002-07:002016-04-05T17:27:56.768-07:00Selwin is Fired Up by the Words of the Prophet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7u2OhiTy46A9U6EdSed5JbkNdlPPFgW0nsir3nbGxS6iSRSYwbLfYTZ1JSyd-VjeWxcp6IXdBT7nxKbyjzS9ep6C-xOt1-Cu12YAY1lfVUCZrplG2jl92geCGEjfuWk5bxFOX-gSw9I/s1600/Downloads1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7u2OhiTy46A9U6EdSed5JbkNdlPPFgW0nsir3nbGxS6iSRSYwbLfYTZ1JSyd-VjeWxcp6IXdBT7nxKbyjzS9ep6C-xOt1-Cu12YAY1lfVUCZrplG2jl92geCGEjfuWk5bxFOX-gSw9I/s640/Downloads1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Top left: Brookhaven District, Me with Elder Stokes. <br />Bottom left: Itinerary for travel to St. George and the Wake Village and Stonewall sisters.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week we drove for what seemed like forever. We were also apart of a few meetings and a couple other changes taking place in the mission. To top it all off General Conference was just awesome!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We only met with six (6) companionships this week but it was an awesome experience never the less. We got to drive home late - yep, no time limit on us though it told on me the next day. General Conference for me was one where chastisement was put on and delivered with love. It was also a call for me at least to keep pressing forward. It was awesome. During the priesthood session, as President Thomas S. Monson spoke, he said something which really hit home. If it had been the only thing he had said it would have been alright with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He said: "You are a child of promise, you are a man of might, you are a son of God." My soul was engulfed with the spirit and I felt a burning desire to live up to that saying, in fact I'm even more fired up, so look out world! It is another testimony to me of why we need prophets in our day. We are still in need of guidance from God regardless of where we stand in life, because the path needing to be travelled is not an easy one but one that once endured will be well worth it. And the Lord knows it, hence why we have leaders who can tell us of the Lord's will for us as we strive to return to live with Him again and one day we will hear Him say " well done thou good and faithful servant."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are all in this great work together and the Lord is at the head of it. This is His church and His gospel and I count it a great honor to be apart of it. The Lord said in Moses <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1634648071" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1:39</span></span>: "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a blessing and what a great promise the Lord is bestowing on us becuase of the great love He has for us. I know He lives.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-8770955151961157942016-03-28T13:02:00.001-07:002016-03-28T13:02:20.903-07:00Selwin is Driving, Teaching and Imparting Counsel<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZL_fZ_nNUnaAX5j9v7sckTduePQ2fVnBN6Y6h6McEqKJ4NlM9PevH0-ct5uTC5liOHQE1T84_kT1XMiSGtr0sIiKUldl0TvjuY-KvRtzgOvNL9JSeRUi5a9Cb72Rz0pxfqkhyphenhyphenM9b_yk/s1600/Downloads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZL_fZ_nNUnaAX5j9v7sckTduePQ2fVnBN6Y6h6McEqKJ4NlM9PevH0-ct5uTC5liOHQE1T84_kT1XMiSGtr0sIiKUldl0TvjuY-KvRtzgOvNL9JSeRUi5a9Cb72Rz0pxfqkhyphenhyphenM9b_yk/s640/Downloads.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Teaching and training in the Jonesboro, Ruston, New Boston and West Monroe Districts</i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week was one filled with driving, teaching and imparting advice as we traveled through two zones in the mission.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We visited with seventeen (17) companionships in these two zones as we tried to strengthen, uplift and motivate them and most importantly to help them to build and exercise faith in their Savior Jesus Christ. But the greatest part was watching the Holy Ghost take charge as He helped us discern needs, answer questions and give advice on improving missionary skills. We also talked a lot about member work and of the importance of strengthening those members by teaching with power from the Book of Mormon as well as the missionary discussions. But the thing that stood out the most was our talk on obedience and what really fuels it. Is it fueled by obligation, fear or love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doctrine and Covenants 130: 20-21 reads:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so we see blessings come as we are obedient to the Lord and that it was even before the foundation of the world. So are we obedient out of obligation because we know blessings will come or are we obedient because of the love we have for our Heavenly Father? I asked myself that question and realized I didn't even know why I do what I do. So I turned to the Savior and looked as the way He lived His life and I realized every commandment He received from His Father He followed out of love even down to His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane to His Resurrection from the grave, everything was done out of love. So it should be with us. The Savior taught after having been asked the question "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" to which the Savior responded, "Though shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy mind". Yes everything not just something,but everything we do should be out of love and the Savior said and taught it best by the way He lived His life. Know it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#The Gospel Is True.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-59965197763456144122016-03-21T19:04:00.004-07:002016-03-21T19:04:54.931-07:00Selwin is a SAP<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eeymCQwyZvAGTWtByGaB8-B9l8QafVRNBRMjpFX5q13fy961Q13PBw8p75QJxLu80QAnjJSy0IkwnGWurv6pTE02T-W4M1se8UmiS4ef-NHXB586XbCaZtKvI9WC8dHEavOe3EH1sCM/s1600/DSCN3695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eeymCQwyZvAGTWtByGaB8-B9l8QafVRNBRMjpFX5q13fy961Q13PBw8p75QJxLu80QAnjJSy0IkwnGWurv6pTE02T-W4M1se8UmiS4ef-NHXB586XbCaZtKvI9WC8dHEavOe3EH1sCM/s640/DSCN3695.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shreveport Zone with President and Sister Olson</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there was a lot that took place this last week and, yes, the rains came again. This time the rain drops were triple the size of a normal rain drop. I've always said when the rain falls it's because heaven is weeping because of the sins of the world which means we have got a lot more work to do because there has been a lot of rain here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was re-assigned this week, so I'm no longer in Shreveport, Louisiana. Instead I'll now be based out of Jackson Mississippi. My mission president, President Olson has asked me to do something which has never been done before in this mission. Now instead of teaching individuals more about the gospel of Jesus Christ we will be teaching and helping missionaries in the mission and basically strengthening them and helping them to build their faith in the Savior and in His gospel. So for the last weeks of my mission I'll be a Special Assistant to the President, aka SAP or as they would say back in the good old days a Travelling Assistant. But so far it's been a blast and we do a lot of driving but it's all worth it and I count it a privilege to be of service to my fellow man. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMb18jqrwnoHMq1c_9pxO7l7DMM_2I8I8Uze64I6q5PbGj60-KyIdUxwyZD_Pkv5zRw5XlsyjQ3Bvl6Qj1W9lIGCjqS5w75ultk-4HPKznKai11wvzndi0XIR9SjW6NfHxfuwwyulpeU/s1600/DSCN3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMb18jqrwnoHMq1c_9pxO7l7DMM_2I8I8Uze64I6q5PbGj60-KyIdUxwyZD_Pkv5zRw5XlsyjQ3Bvl6Qj1W9lIGCjqS5w75ultk-4HPKznKai11wvzndi0XIR9SjW6NfHxfuwwyulpeU/s400/DSCN3717.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My companion Elder Hansen who was my MTC companion, too.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">King Benjamin taught his people:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="" name="5853525586464905448_18"> </a>18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="" name="5853525586464905448_19"> </a>19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus Christ was the perfect example of one who gave service without being asked and He encouraged His disciples to do the same. As disciples of the Savior His mantle is passed on to us. So just look for those little ways in which you can serve and I know the Savior will be smiling because you went out of your way to make another's day. #Hallelujah.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-88123484062560562752016-03-15T13:39:00.003-07:002016-03-15T13:40:20.517-07:00Selwin is Singing in the Rain<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqn6MP49qrgLyhRTV7x5SoG8LYAHhdjBEDBJb6V_y3SNuWvrgcWEiMlcsuUcGodNKazOwPjo4eRCK3CyEJeQ90aa8IXaFqZhKQAgL-dpII2oEdDmEgpcJqt6MKqEBowZdcaiYd_eCil4/s1600/DSCN3685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqn6MP49qrgLyhRTV7x5SoG8LYAHhdjBEDBJb6V_y3SNuWvrgcWEiMlcsuUcGodNKazOwPjo4eRCK3CyEJeQ90aa8IXaFqZhKQAgL-dpII2oEdDmEgpcJqt6MKqEBowZdcaiYd_eCil4/s400/DSCN3685.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Filling sandbags with help from the guys in stripes!</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This week we were hit with a lot of rain. It was so cool and reminded
me a lot of home during the rainy season but as cool as it was for me it was
devastating for others as it caused severe flooding in some areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We spent 2 1/2 days doing nothing in our trailer (which reminds
me, we live in a trailer but, don't worry, it's a nice one). We finally got out
on Friday afternoon to help fill sand bags so we got some service done. On
Saturday we helped out a member take out his old garden so he could have room
for his new stuff. We got the opportunity to meet with our Jamaican friends and
one of them reminded me of my Uncle Sherlock back home which was weird. We had a good conversation and they agreed to
read from the Book of Mormon. We then went to the Spanish elders’ baptism
and got to see two young children begin their journey following the Savior so
that was awesome. Yesterday, we visited a few investigators who we hadn't been able
to contact in a while. One of them said,
"man, I thought y'all had given up on me.”
That was a reminder people are always looking for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtpruV25-GNLjSFa53ZNHGJDyAl2xmXh148i6lwtahhE-P2gteTOZ3xyLHXt7JakjDaJ0HN1cj99BzSao0Fww-HSY7jNDIcK8LtaU0NnXRI7zeb2kbBYKo5iHeF4-fiv0oXNIJ06O7WI/s1600/DSCN3674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtpruV25-GNLjSFa53ZNHGJDyAl2xmXh148i6lwtahhE-P2gteTOZ3xyLHXt7JakjDaJ0HN1cj99BzSao0Fww-HSY7jNDIcK8LtaU0NnXRI7zeb2kbBYKo5iHeF4-fiv0oXNIJ06O7WI/s320/DSCN3674.JPG" width="217" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During studies this week I was really struck by a quote <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">from Elder
Robert D. Hales as he talked about the persecutions of the Lord's servants.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He said: "There is meaning and purpose in our earthly
challenges. Consider the Prophet Joseph Smith: throughout his life he faced
daunting opposition—illness, accident, poverty, misunderstanding, false
accusation, and even persecution. One might be tempted to ask, ‘Why didn’t the
Lord protect His prophet from such obstacles, provide him with unlimited
resources, and stop up the mouths of his accusers?’ The answer is, each of us
must go through certain experiences to become more like our Savior. In the
school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons
are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us." </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Just
a clear reminder everything we are faced with in life is to build us and to
move us even closer to our Savior, which means we turn to him in everything we
do and not just some things.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-65783493262487040042016-03-14T06:38:00.000-07:002016-03-21T06:41:24.992-07:00Simeon's Final Thoughts as a Full-time Missionary<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLBYcxcIbxgnIP5-o5JUrpHINHTqM9xxzuXZt30cKbrHCmEhIdosYXWHXC8lp9n34mR9LfkeRx0PWVBvdG96s7jB2jzaUflU0SWsfCZ1EW4OCsVSrIomtqRhQdHzIZ-yDWwlMgMMekCE/s1600/Downloads22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLBYcxcIbxgnIP5-o5JUrpHINHTqM9xxzuXZt30cKbrHCmEhIdosYXWHXC8lp9n34mR9LfkeRx0PWVBvdG96s7jB2jzaUflU0SWsfCZ1EW4OCsVSrIomtqRhQdHzIZ-yDWwlMgMMekCE/s640/Downloads22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>All of us going home, LaPaz' baptism and six missionaries in the cop's lights.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Well, it has been an amazing two years as a missionary for my Savior Jesus Christ and for his true church, but does it stop there? No, it does not! It continues onward for we are always missionaries and we wear that precious name tag on our hearts always! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The last week of my mission was probably the most interesting because on </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_388008702" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204 , 204 , 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> we went out to dinner and the rain was pouring down. As we were driving home, the other elders' car broke down (we were not in it) so we stopped to help them and ended up staying with them for over an hour. A police officer pulled up to the scene with lights flashing and all, so there we were: six missionaries with cop lights blaring around them. Then we all got in our one car with the cop watching us and drove back to our apartment where we all slept for the night and almost passed out due to way too much heat on our small apartment. Luckily I turned on the air condition unit which saved us. The next few days were super cold. We also found out someone we were teaching got mugged and was not in good condition. We could do nothing to help in that situation, then to top it off, I did not even get my picture with the Sullivan's the family from the movie "Meet the Mormons" but alas it was all still wonderful!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I know my life mission has only and truly just begun and it has begun for all missionaries and returned missionaries for as Elder Holland said so plainly and boldly, "RM does not mean retired Mormon, it means 'Returned Missionary'." I am one who carries on his Heavenly Father's and Savior's work and will continue to do so for there is truly no better duty than that. I know the Book of Mormon is true and the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know families can be together forever and as we endure and "endure with joy" we will see the Lord's blessings in our lives always. I wish to thank the wonderful members of the Bloomington7th ward for supporting me and my brother and for the Sappingtons who truly are miracles to us and God has truly guided us here for a purpose. With His help and our Savior's help we will do just that! Georgia Atlanta Mission, yeah! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-40011967967620507502016-03-07T18:00:00.000-08:002016-03-08T06:04:58.261-08:00Selwin's A Traveling Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5SkcGFSkvpaKtHxNrKpqGdZYKtf_25ZTMaYR-6SXCYUrBVf6uAce4sHwTmvA3Yi_q9nl7q74SEk7FBz8tiDP5OjiOZmr8aBZ6gUvJAL81DKwQQMNePi21V7DA3O67RUR2W9Fn4KPNKA/s1600/Downloads18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5SkcGFSkvpaKtHxNrKpqGdZYKtf_25ZTMaYR-6SXCYUrBVf6uAce4sHwTmvA3Yi_q9nl7q74SEk7FBz8tiDP5OjiOZmr8aBZ6gUvJAL81DKwQQMNePi21V7DA3O67RUR2W9Fn4KPNKA/s640/Downloads18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This
week has been one where all we did was drive a lot, in fact we visited every
state in my mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit it was
really awesome and what made it even more awesome is we did it in one day. Whoa!!!!!.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This
week though was a bit rough on us as even more individuals gave us the infamous
"I'm not interested anymore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, one lady sent her husband, who was a deacon in his church, to
confront us. I wasn't in the mood so we talked for a bit and left, but it did
explain why she didn't return any of our calls. It still made me wonder why she
gave us her number in the first place? We had a lot of people tell us to come
back, as well, but the coolest thing ever happened when my companion saw a
license plate with the word “GUYANA.” I flipped the car around to investigate
and sure enough that's what it said. So, your guess is right. I proceeded to
the door and met the lady, but she was sick and said to come back later in the
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was super-awesome to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, we met with a Jamaican, which just
made the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again the Lord showed
me how, by being persistent, we can accomplish things. Nothing feels better
than sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with someone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">President
Thomas S. Monson once said: "In the performance of our responsibilities, I
have learned that when we heed a silent prompting and act upon it without
delay, our Heavenly Father will guide our footsteps and bless our lives and the
lives of others. I know of no experience more sweet or feeling more precious
than to heed a prompting only to discover the Lord has answered another
person’s prayer through you".</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Everyday
many offer prayers to our Father in Heaven for various reasons and they seek an
answer.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Most time the way the Lord
answers their prayers is through us, so let us always be worthy in all we do so
when those promptings do come we can heed them.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">
</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">The joy you will feel when you know you have done good is beyond what
words can describe and great shall be the rejoicing in heaven.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-14460679009976275862016-03-07T06:30:00.000-08:002016-03-08T06:32:35.050-08:00Simeon is Coming Home<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn3YvE9JSe2uIkHmBXmuHAVPryDG2mqu0Aa__P5m2yNQxPqgGXZoZ4yqZ6BG-nhux0gpOBEbwUKJSLhEby1mG_VW9OdBCmR1PpfPc20EDJIfFpb-eFhudSJGEhcRR7friw4gPlxO3HcA/s1600/Downloads19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn3YvE9JSe2uIkHmBXmuHAVPryDG2mqu0Aa__P5m2yNQxPqgGXZoZ4yqZ6BG-nhux0gpOBEbwUKJSLhEby1mG_VW9OdBCmR1PpfPc20EDJIfFpb-eFhudSJGEhcRR7friw4gPlxO3HcA/s640/Downloads19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Saying goodbye to the McKinleys (upper left), the Butler family, Brother Cline, the Anderson family and Brother Qian.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't
believe I'm coming home after two years in the vineyard of the Lord as a single,
full-time missionary. He needs me back to build His kingdom and, though sad, I
know it must needs be, for He is preparing me for something far more grand than
I can now see.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the Savior said to his
father when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Thy will be done.”</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So it is with me as I will do my Savior's
will and carry on and, so as not to cry here in the library, I will end with a
poem I came across a while back which has helped me to know the work of the
Lord goes on always.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">"Feed My Sheep"</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Feed my sheep was the Savior’s simple command, but we
have often wondered and pondered how do we go about doing something so
grand. It is too hard says one, and it’s too tough says another and sometimes I
truly do wonder if the Savior were here what answer he would give to the one
and what answer he would give to the other.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> It would probably go something like this….</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">I was born for a purpose and My purpose was fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came forth born of a virgin named Mary in a
little town called Bethlehem. Born in a manger I neither cried nor fussed for
my Heavenly Father had made me meek and mild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a lad I grew raised by an earthly father but my Heavenly Father I
always knew. I taught in the temple and others marveled at my words for they
knew not that I was the only begotten, yea, the very Son of God. As the years
went by I grew into a man and went to carry out my Father’s plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fasted for forty days and forty nights and
allowed myself to be tempted by the adversary in all his might.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> But I withstood him with ease for I knew my Father’s
plan was perfect. I was baptized by the one called John, sent to prepare the
path for the coming of Me, the Savior and Lord. He was chosen before he was
born and God gave him the authority to preach his holy word. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down into the water I went to fulfill all
righteousness and as I came forth out of the water I heard my Father say, “This
Is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he sent the Holy Ghost to me in the form
of a dove.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> I called twelve to be my Disciples by inviting
them to “Come, Follow Me” and we went forth teaching and preaching the Gospel
my Father hath given me. I did Miracles beyond compare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I healed the sick, raised the dead and testified
with all my might of the truthfulness of what my Father said. I was mocked and
persecuted but I was neither afraid nor worried for I knew I needed to be ready
for the grand finale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I went into the
Garden of Gethsemane to pay the ultimate price for the sins and salvation of
the world.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Oh, what torment I had to bear as I bled from every
pore. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked my father,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If thou be willing, remove this cup from me,
but not my will but thy will be done”. I was comforted in my agony by an angel
my father sent me, but I suffered alone in that cold Garden of Gethsemane. I
was betrayed by one of mine own with a kiss and another denied me thrice that
all might be fulfilled just as the prophets had hitherto foretold.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> I was driven like a lamb before the slaughter and
willingly I went forth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was cursed,
accused and spat upon by those who before had rejoiced and called me their Lord
and King. I was judged by Herod and then Pilate but indeed I was found innocent
even with all the false charges and accusations my persecutors gave. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cried, “crucify him, crucify him” and I
was sent forth according to the voice of the people to be slain. Water and vinegar
they gave me to drink before my back was laden with forty lashes. I then took
up my cross and carried it alone before being nailed to it.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Oh, how the pain truly hurt my body and soul and I
cried, “Father, why hast thou forsaken me?” As I looked at my persecutors
gambling for my belongings I said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what
they do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hung there in agony before
finally saying, “Father, it is finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Into thy hands I commend my spirit”.”</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">I was taken from upon the cross and laid in Joseph’s
tomb, but on the third day I rose again! For I am the way, the truth and the
life and whomsoever follows me shall I give eternal life, for I live! And
whomsoever shall lose his life for my sake the same shall save it! Now we know
what the Savior would have us do, for he knows just as we do, this Restored
Gospel and it’s message is true! So let us tell our brothers and sisters of the
great news of everlasting life, for truly it is such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we ever so testify to all of
Eternal Marriage, Eternal Families, and Eternal life for this is what the
gospel truly offers. I pray we may ever humbly do as our precious Savior
commands and follow the Master’s plan to go find and feed his sheep!</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> Elder Lovell -2015-</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span>Georgia
Atlanta Mission</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know the Book of Mormon is true and is Another Testament of
Jesus Christ. This is His True Church here
on the earth once more to bring peace, joy and eternal life with our families. Oh, how we shall go on in so great a cause!!!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-48940384458207166092016-02-29T20:29:00.000-08:002016-02-29T20:29:02.232-08:00Selwin Separating the Wheat from the Tares<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTF3_3bbqQX14omU49yj7srItQVT6V7-IUq0XKxyk0nMKFfhkcWuDxc0DeE5K5YkjjUmMI8qd6Qmup0OHWGWtqZLklbcmZbGdXwvgSTDo-rB22SOSM40wxL-KNGtpjZX8I2hPP1HXcrYs/s1600/DSCN3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTF3_3bbqQX14omU49yj7srItQVT6V7-IUq0XKxyk0nMKFfhkcWuDxc0DeE5K5YkjjUmMI8qd6Qmup0OHWGWtqZLklbcmZbGdXwvgSTDo-rB22SOSM40wxL-KNGtpjZX8I2hPP1HXcrYs/s400/DSCN3611.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me and my companion, Elder Larsen</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a week of ups and downs as we engaged ourselves in the battle of separating the wheat from the tares.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It started off really well for us as we tried a few individuals we had met before and we got the opportunity to share with them the important message of the 'Restoration' of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But then in came the weekend and it brought in a not so good storm as investigators started dropping us faster than a cheetah about to pounce on it's prey. This included our most promising investigator who just couldn't give up certain things. And then we just kept striking out. For a moment I was thinking in my head "what is going on?' while my companion Elder Larsen is saying, "It's all my fault. I brought the bad luck" to which I kept telling him that he didn't. I thought, "well, what do we do now?" After much pondering I heard a voice say, "keep going". This brought to my remembrance what the Savior said to Simon Peter in John 21:15-17:</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It reminded me of how we are called to "feed the Savior's sheep" with the words He taught and with the words which will bring us eternal, life if followed and applied in one's life. And the Lord did bless us as we persevered as a recent convert family (the Osburn's) invited their close friends to listen to the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was super amazing. And as I thought to myself, I wondered, "what if we had thrown in the towel for that day and just given up?" I probably would have gotten some much needed rest, but the opportunity would have been missed, if I had. Hence it is in life, so "never give up". Every opportunity must be grabbed with both hands especially sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Savior lives and His gospel in it's fullness is here on the earth again to be enjoyed by those who embrace it and love it, so share it.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-69001117048369420492016-02-29T17:30:00.000-08:002016-02-29T21:01:38.175-08:00Simeon's Pretty Good Week<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2jV6QvDW8NGJvctLPuQ-sjvoGN4bJRnrIfZDeE7NnPmwF4chNOLMYn0AXpU0FlJc9SrrBpRNl9cSmA5lMMJIvMA4DKW0WP_0yIZr7gP2N8tJ8ZJIfR_eORTDf11gp3xRcsUyW_u5Vio/s1600/DSCN1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2jV6QvDW8NGJvctLPuQ-sjvoGN4bJRnrIfZDeE7NnPmwF4chNOLMYn0AXpU0FlJc9SrrBpRNl9cSmA5lMMJIvMA4DKW0WP_0yIZr7gP2N8tJ8ZJIfR_eORTDf11gp3xRcsUyW_u5Vio/s400/DSCN1873.JPG" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me on Waterboy Street</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week was pretty good! We got out doing the things I love to do best and that is to teach people! We went out despite rain storms and everything - ahhhh, yes, good times indeed. This week I was able to attend the baptism of Muka's sister-in-law who actually was the first person we found and talked to in their family, It's funny because she was the last one baptized but hey all in the Lord's timing, not ours. It was wonderful to see and brought me so much joy. We were also able to teach a lot of members this week as we continue to strive to build their faith and trust in us. We are finally getting somewhere so that's a plus. The lesson we shared was quite simply a poem. It was amazing to feel the Holy Spirit in their homes as we shared this poem. In one instance we got to a family's home very late due to the time we took to travel from one point to another and the dad said, "we were getting ready for bed." We kind of pleaded and apologized all at the same time and he finally said, "alright, come in." We got in there and let's just say the Holy Spirit took charge because when we left they were all in a happier mood and feeling the Holy Spirit so strong we knew we were going to be invited back the next time. So said, so done! So if the missionaries are late you should give them a chance because you never know if what they have to share will bless you in that very moment you don't think you need it. But all went well and we barely made it on miles with all the travels we did for the week, so phew. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc-XvSPw52kcbMnRwVT7BHn2B6pmYOj5VWygbfsLffVsFY2fthwpelmHQJJmXOMKM3el79YFrkBWvOhUZVkrxVCMCXDiCX2n89rKVpEaqZbEfvII8aF40xZiE-2lAF_O3qtUo5EZ9l08/s1600/DSCN1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc-XvSPw52kcbMnRwVT7BHn2B6pmYOj5VWygbfsLffVsFY2fthwpelmHQJJmXOMKM3el79YFrkBWvOhUZVkrxVCMCXDiCX2n89rKVpEaqZbEfvII8aF40xZiE-2lAF_O3qtUo5EZ9l08/s400/DSCN1875.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A cool painting in Fairborn, Georgia</i></td></tr>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During my studies this week I came across a lovely little quote my companion's dad sent to me. It makes a lot of sense to me so I hope it does to you also. "Where there is hatred, let me show Love; where there is injury. Pardon; where there is doubt, Faith; where there is despair, Hope. Where there is darkness, Light; where there is sadness, Joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to Console; to be understood as to Understand; to be loved as to Love; for it is in Giving that We Receive; it is in Pardoning that we are Pardoned and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life" (St. Francis Of Assisi)</span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it is all talking about charity for just as the Savior said, "unless a man has charity he cannot be saved" and these little things we do help us receive that wonderful gift of Eternal Life. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-40150071639853275972016-02-22T19:33:00.000-08:002016-02-29T20:00:08.076-08:00Selwin and Tom<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4eMdBOG-3Rrl-g-eZwkMJtPMcMomxpsSM9dGzmi8BVKyjrfcBWMoDjLiT9bimYMI4b3O0AHE1teMY4FJAe2IcJG3sUozLyrhQx1hCmtK5lw7PiNnBRJpgRA7vrP8Tc7Jw37W5r9U_4M/s1600/DSCN3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4eMdBOG-3Rrl-g-eZwkMJtPMcMomxpsSM9dGzmi8BVKyjrfcBWMoDjLiT9bimYMI4b3O0AHE1teMY4FJAe2IcJG3sUozLyrhQx1hCmtK5lw7PiNnBRJpgRA7vrP8Tc7Jw37W5r9U_4M/s400/DSCN3580.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The hustle and bustle of transfer day</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
is the week of transfers. I will be getting a new companion later on today so
more on that next week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
week we didn't get to do nearly as much as we wanted. It seems we spent more
time driving to and from places more than anything else. We did, however, have
one of our investigators taught in the home of a member this week and it was
just amazing. What's even better is we hardly said a word as the father taught
about the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his children. Our investigator whose name
is Tom, by the way, thoroughly enjoyed it and was delighted at how the children
knew the answers to their father’s questions. This week as we entered into his
home there was an entirely different feeling in his home and also from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even said the prayer himself. It’s really
interesting because my companion and I, a few weeks back had taught him about
prayer and how to say it properly, only to have him totally say it the wrong
way at the end of the lesson. We came out of that lesson saying, 'well, looks
like we need to re-teach that lesson' but now he's got it done, which was a key
reminder to us the Lord works with His children at His own pace and not
ours. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA_kD8OvIrSnAXnQO-PD7AjYXmjNO2FDWThf6FQLkVqV3zYx_AwMUApUw7dfjfo1DT5x9KC426LOyVfJ7n85v1tK_dcA7l1ky2YBjIinB6_1lT-oacWciZo5MX6axw4oWBhyCAuntfuQ/s1600/DSCN3602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA_kD8OvIrSnAXnQO-PD7AjYXmjNO2FDWThf6FQLkVqV3zYx_AwMUApUw7dfjfo1DT5x9KC426LOyVfJ7n85v1tK_dcA7l1ky2YBjIinB6_1lT-oacWciZo5MX6axw4oWBhyCAuntfuQ/s200/DSCN3602.JPG" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elder Campbell ... <br />our trusted driver</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
week as I was reading in the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi's
experience with the Lord truly stuck out to me when he said in1 Nephi
1:14-15:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14
And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and
marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: Great and
marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the
heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of
the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come
unto thee that they shall perish!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 15
And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God;
for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things
which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shown unto him."</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIcTWbxaoT0ho-OIAIe8ahZkFcgXoWl-znYCVITzlbQGU_2mA25rOLTUiuhKxYe9PLCVmFPC8ygBHo__fW6tGtJZbnSAyyDPZ08XjmvbhT63gqyys4Sk4UqmRvosbN6ZBrPbtPMkrQ6g/s1600/DSCN3568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIcTWbxaoT0ho-OIAIe8ahZkFcgXoWl-znYCVITzlbQGU_2mA25rOLTUiuhKxYe9PLCVmFPC8ygBHo__fW6tGtJZbnSAyyDPZ08XjmvbhT63gqyys4Sk4UqmRvosbN6ZBrPbtPMkrQ6g/s320/DSCN3568.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Two dogs behind the wheel</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
prophet Lehi was so thankful to God for showing him all these things his soul
rejoiced. Then what about us who have the Gospel of Jesus Christ restored in
all it's fullness?, Should not our souls rejoice and our hearts be filled
because of it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a blessing it is to
have the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to know we can apply it to our own lives
and know we can live it each and every single day. I have seen it change the
lives of others and most importantly I have seen it change my own life. So,
like Lehi of old, I rejoice and my heart is filled because the Lord has shown unto
me the path He would have me walk. I know it is His will to do it for us all,
so why not let Him. And if we do so it is my promise your soul will rejoice and
your heart will be filled because of what you will experience. I know it.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-51649112303731273012016-02-22T18:16:00.002-08:002016-02-22T18:18:13.750-08:00Simeon Teaches "You Are Special"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-yM2UuXeriSj2_6HlZEkFal5SVgY5H5_xIP1-hIWLCvCzYN90r2vnlA98qwIR9w4blHeE4fyqEYHAWcRZF64h0hseG4aF4Sb7IW0yZ9uAs44i6K6ZbZrxl1_Js5nHMfuOHz2qMUKRcc/s1600/DSCN1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-yM2UuXeriSj2_6HlZEkFal5SVgY5H5_xIP1-hIWLCvCzYN90r2vnlA98qwIR9w4blHeE4fyqEYHAWcRZF64h0hseG4aF4Sb7IW0yZ9uAs44i6K6ZbZrxl1_Js5nHMfuOHz2qMUKRcc/s400/DSCN1722.JPG" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My friend Paul ... doesn't he look like Jimmie Neutron?</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week we did not get to do a whole lot as we had planned but, we got stuff done which made it all the better! We had
exchanges this week with our district leader from St. Lucia. It turns
out he knew a few missionaries I knew who served in his country a while
back which was sweet. Unfortunately, he was sick so he was
ordered by the mission nurse to go home and rest. So with time on my hands I decided to read the Book of Mormon. It was surprising to me to see that was the direction I was prompted to go because before my mission I would read for 20 minutes then go shoot some hoops or something. I ended up reading until 8 pm that night from about 4 pm in the afternoon. What a really wonderful change for me to see! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week as we went about
teaching members I walked around with a little story book entitled "You
Are Special." It is a nice story of a wooden boy who thought because of what everyone else said he was not special and that made him sad. It reminds me of the world today because if you don't do what everyone else
is doing then you don't fit it or you don't make it. In this story the wooden boy comes to realize his maker cares about him because he made him. If he thought about that instead of what people may say or think then
it will not matter or offend him because he knows someone loves him. That is the same today in the world we live in because people and the adversary
will fill our minds with bad thoughts or words and the thing that will bug us the
most is believing we don't fit in! But who says we have to! God, just like the
woodcarver, knows us and made us and sent his son to us for us to know we are special. He wants us to know we are needed because we truly are and when we think everyone else makes fun of us because of who we are, there is One who looks up to you and admires you for doing just that! So we must be who God made us to be and don't worry about fitting in. Worry more about helping him and you
will come to see how truly Special we are to him indeed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5kqy8MUqxCTLwtCrvehJaH7ImKTai9JXO1sS6u575-B6c8ic3JmIzrXVoI70CB58i3wwU9fBs40-I4UuHT3TfwlFECdtse-T-xX9Qb-gPJYgh95ZXzOYTuL8XQiLEMFa9A265pCXNcU/s1600/DSCN1715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5kqy8MUqxCTLwtCrvehJaH7ImKTai9JXO1sS6u575-B6c8ic3JmIzrXVoI70CB58i3wwU9fBs40-I4UuHT3TfwlFECdtse-T-xX9Qb-gPJYgh95ZXzOYTuL8XQiLEMFa9A265pCXNcU/s400/DSCN1715.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my studies this week
I came across a familiar passage in the Book of Mormon which made me remember we can do all things with the Lord. In 2 Nephi 4:28-35:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626;">28 Awake, my soul! No longer
droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my
soul.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not
slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626;">30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O
Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God,
and the rock of my salvation.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626;">31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me
out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the
appearance of sin?</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626;">32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me,
because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou
not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path
of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626;">33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy
righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine
enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a
stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and
hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626;">34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee
forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is
he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth
his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that
asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up
my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my
righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and
mine everlasting God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so my family and friends, I ask
shall we not? Oh yes, we shall!!! </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-14351829893287824192016-02-16T18:15:00.004-08:002016-02-16T18:15:59.572-08:00Selwin's Full Week<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4P7-sjrGqK2kEliMycuOJqOSQ-Ah_dLJnfInuxmE6ShI1dy_swdnZ1InKFRVzfIqjrh9aZebyDYQ7GIVct2EOkTJbvQNOd8FcB1K7NKPBmty9-NksNPyDji5-j3tE_dxCwMXW3_8CzQ/s1600/DSCN3555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4P7-sjrGqK2kEliMycuOJqOSQ-Ah_dLJnfInuxmE6ShI1dy_swdnZ1InKFRVzfIqjrh9aZebyDYQ7GIVct2EOkTJbvQNOd8FcB1K7NKPBmty9-NksNPyDji5-j3tE_dxCwMXW3_8CzQ/s400/DSCN3555.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>President and Sister Olson</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Hurray!!! We finally got to spend a full week in our area
again. It was really good.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This
week we were also blessed with the teachings of President Olson at our <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zone Conference and it was really good. It's
amazing how much more you learn when the man who holds the keys to the mission
teaches and the spirit which comes with him is definitely incredible. We got to
be part of the conference and got to do some acting for them and let's just say
it was something they will never forget as we taught them about planning more
effectively for those individuals that the Lord has blessed us with and not just
considering them another statistic. We also got to do exchanges with the elders
from Texarkana, Texas and that was awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got to double work our area so that was even more awesome. We taught
quite a bit this week and we are seeing some progression in one of our eternal
investigators. It’s really promising. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0tdYnemFxvOeK884lkfk7PWmribw3p0fsIRWrcWMdePOT8xbuvEpHuiPQgWmU3b_bDJdXra37qivEn50P_eOSCAMP4r5YVmRcI7g1lPnFK_vToT9LI4x2RLA34Jgyb_smCXwbeDPvlc/s1600/DSCN3572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0tdYnemFxvOeK884lkfk7PWmribw3p0fsIRWrcWMdePOT8xbuvEpHuiPQgWmU3b_bDJdXra37qivEn50P_eOSCAMP4r5YVmRcI7g1lPnFK_vToT9LI4x2RLA34Jgyb_smCXwbeDPvlc/s320/DSCN3572.JPG" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My companion Elder Mughal catches <br />a few winks!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This
week I was reminded of where we have to stand as individuals and as families as
the world becomes more accepting to the standards of men rather than God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Peter said in Acts 5:29, “Then
Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather
than men."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">President
Gordon B. Hinckley then said: "The world is constantly crowding in on us.
From all sides we feel the pressure to soften our stance, to give in here a
little and there a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“We
must never lose sight of our objective. We must ever keep before us the goal
which the Lord has set for us. …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“We
must stand firm. We must hold back the world. If we do so, the Almighty will be
our strength and our protector, our guide and our revelator. We shall have the
comfort of knowing that we are doing what He would have us do."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I
don't think anything needs to be added to that and to my bro, don't worry. You'll
always be a servant of the Lord. The Savior Lives!!!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-69045929917631468252016-02-16T18:00:00.000-08:002016-02-16T20:36:42.558-08:00Simeon Has His Travel Itinerary<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_5zJGP43Zh0hA9PWV00673LyRwubER9O7RBBnvCK_64bkZneJhRnex1SkZB00YlqpImnwHZasoJPh785xzSGo5t-u56PPmV6AoxTKZb_xLM2-WeOY-asAe0-lIDeHOuduAEC2P8wpG0/s1600/DSCN1838-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_5zJGP43Zh0hA9PWV00673LyRwubER9O7RBBnvCK_64bkZneJhRnex1SkZB00YlqpImnwHZasoJPh785xzSGo5t-u56PPmV6AoxTKZb_xLM2-WeOY-asAe0-lIDeHOuduAEC2P8wpG0/s400/DSCN1838-1.JPG" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Look who's coming home? <br />Elder <span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Keller walked away in disgust, but he still loves me</span></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week I got sick, went to the temple, got over coming home and
got my flight itinerary!!! Yeah, St. George, here I come and, hey, it's about
time. Of course you will still have to
wait about three weeks and leave the big party for Sel. He loves that. I am just simple Sim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week I got a super bad headache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mission nurse said, “Elder Lovell, I love
you too much to hear you are not feeling well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I look up to you so do what I say and get better!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was very serious when she said the last
part but I knew she meant business, so I said “yes” quite a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ended by saying, “I love you” about three
or four times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strange, I never really
knew what kind of impact I have or had on people. I’ve just tried my hardest to
love everyone the way the Lord loves me. Anyway, I do feel better now, Sister
Sappington, so that will make you very happy, as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week I was able to do the temple work for my Uncle who passed
away since Sel and I have been out on our mission. It was wonderful and my joy
was full to know, after almost 2 years of him passing I was able to do so. I
pray he accepts it and with that went everything else about coming home so I
was pretty excited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcopb-Qse4e1n-fVYAIkNCEtA7LKNp3b6NQ09ibFVTg5c8v9jl_e4xE78i8rRsIvLcC1IFqhhr4NXkNMZjBW3ETBRED-VXem1olsVc_yleSh84BGazBatRaFS-sJZ884YUTXNDGeGQNE/s1600/DSCN1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcopb-Qse4e1n-fVYAIkNCEtA7LKNp3b6NQ09ibFVTg5c8v9jl_e4xE78i8rRsIvLcC1IFqhhr4NXkNMZjBW3ETBRED-VXem1olsVc_yleSh84BGazBatRaFS-sJZ884YUTXNDGeGQNE/s320/DSCN1836.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My travel itinerary</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then on Thursday I opened my mail box and boom there it was and I knew
what it was, too. I ran around our apartment with Elder Keller looking at me
like I was crazy. After a composed moment, I said, “so, Elder … shall we plan?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep, good times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week we tried our best to help many of those we are teaching
move along, but it's tough sometimes. There is not much you can do but your
best, as gran would normally say, "Do your BEST and God will do the REST.”
I wish everyone would just realize I will do my best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I was studying this week I came across a true fact as I thought
upon my mission and this is what I came up with. "I do not strive to be
the greatest missionary. Yes, I work hard and do my best, but my goal is not
statistics but the joy of bringing some souls unto Christ to receive Salvation
and me receiving Salvation with them." It made me think back to, not just
my purpose as a missionary, but my purpose as a disciple of Jesus Christ, as I
so say I am throughout life. it has helped me to see we must never stop helping
others “come unto Him” and be perfected in Him but we should strive to do so,
for if we say we have the pearl of great price then why not share with your
friend where you found it and how he or she can have it, too! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I will willingly do and I pray you will do
so with me!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-7247404920014783022016-02-09T11:32:00.000-08:002016-02-09T11:49:35.318-08:00Selwin Drives the Distance<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyx-dIf2jOnWiFPopH7DkDBTGiFtjhOPGaM3jgGpdn_sKveVxMfx0dhTZosoNFouJUasCAvOcC-mNqK0UQ6Yrtv4V9QzlHl_jaiqagvDTl08RmgyjL3IXJdhG76U6ReVatDkhd-Zye7g/s1600/DSCN3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyx-dIf2jOnWiFPopH7DkDBTGiFtjhOPGaM3jgGpdn_sKveVxMfx0dhTZosoNFouJUasCAvOcC-mNqK0UQ6Yrtv4V9QzlHl_jaiqagvDTl08RmgyjL3IXJdhG76U6ReVatDkhd-Zye7g/s400/DSCN3556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me with Sister Ali Savory from Vreed-en-Hoop</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">This week, we traveled for what felt like days. I think I'm car
sick if that even is a thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">This week was one filled with exchanges and meetings and one
where we really had no time in our own area to work except for Sunday. That was
a stretch in itself but we made it. We drove all the way to New Boston, Texas for
exchanges with the elders there on Tuesday, then drove all the way to Clinton,
Mississippi on Thursday for a training meeting after getting home on Wednesday
afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on our way home we had a
flat discovered in El Dorado, Arkansas after dropping off a car for the elders
in that area. We had to drive home on the donut tire at 50 mph. Glad I wasn't
driving. On Saturday, we had exchanges with the Brownlee elders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It went well, not to mention hours of
planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was crazy but
awesome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOxifCmIp0Cmdhe3UAX3t4jCfcKT8C9Xk4KXueDDUjo1HK_TmvZKgmNo2dwsfa7GPxJ_u1Q_G0baKIpl1mps-zOppDZ8PTwslriAWRCHbKq9d3p-hG3GUqRvsdth-kL2yzWVl0yD7iKI/s1600/DSCN3533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOxifCmIp0Cmdhe3UAX3t4jCfcKT8C9Xk4KXueDDUjo1HK_TmvZKgmNo2dwsfa7GPxJ_u1Q_G0baKIpl1mps-zOppDZ8PTwslriAWRCHbKq9d3p-hG3GUqRvsdth-kL2yzWVl0yD7iKI/s400/DSCN3533.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial"; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Me with my bro's Mughal, Hatch and Hill</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sunday was super awesome as we got the opportunity to hear
members bare their testimonies. They were good and the spirit was so strong.
But it was during my studies this week I came across a quote which has been on
my mind all this while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was from a
talk by President Harold B.Lee about Peter lifting the man at the gate by the
hand (Acts 3: 6-8).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">He said: "You cannot lift another soul until you are
standing on higher ground than he is. You must be sure, if you would rescue the
man, you yourself are setting the example of what you would have him be. You
cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I
had never thought about that before but it just rang through to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really makes me think of why we are asked
to be examples of the believers. Simply put, if we are in the same boat as
those we are trying to help we can't help them because we haven't jumped out of
the boat, as yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We, ourselves, still
need to get out. But when we make it out we will know of a surety how we can
help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel of Jesus Christ is
a beautiful gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us use it everyday
and everywhere. The time does not matter for it will strengthen us and bless
our lives and the lives of those we are trying to strengthen, of that I am
sure.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-648420834621831432016-02-09T09:33:00.000-08:002016-02-09T11:48:53.163-08:00Simeon's Thoughts of Home<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfNdxJPD2eGZULG4zqOw175RzGKwypYEwHnEvrdHd5eaX7ne62ixd6-X5UCZmtDxSn56qUctYlw2j-yJ2CXrMgDBXOt6aLMDfuHjJGFmeklptGYOpzApA8FosAVRHgc_sZ-NpBj-wtes/s1600/DSCN1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfNdxJPD2eGZULG4zqOw175RzGKwypYEwHnEvrdHd5eaX7ne62ixd6-X5UCZmtDxSn56qUctYlw2j-yJ2CXrMgDBXOt6aLMDfuHjJGFmeklptGYOpzApA8FosAVRHgc_sZ-NpBj-wtes/s400/DSCN1814.JPG" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me with Elder Sheperd and Sister Simmons (from St. George)</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was a very tough week for me, to be honest, probably
because I worried so much about coming home. I have no idea why but I did, so
my focus was just not where it needed to be. It took a lot to get back on
track! It seems the adversary wanted to put a nice little scare in me, and at
first he did, but then I turned all my problems over to the One who has
promised me, if I do all he asks of me, He will be by my side always. So that
is what I did and He helped me in ways far better than I could have imagined. It was wonderful. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week we did not get to do a whole lot of teaching but we
did hit the pavement and went out to find some of our lost brothers and sisters,
so that put a little pace in my step. We had a ton of appointments fall through
but I have learned to deal with that now. I just call and reschedule. It’s as
simple as that! We did have a really nice lesson with an investigator we had
lost track of for a while. Both he and his wife sat in and it was pretty good.
He truly is looking to change. The funny thing is, as we taught him he kept
getting calls. On one of his calls he answered, "What's up? I'm here with
my two minister brothers and my baby."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah he is a very funny guy but none-the-less a really good lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great fast and testimony meeting which
was awesome and just what I needed to pick me up even more. I look forward to
this new week with a new found energy from the Lord, of course, and onward I go
a Christian soldier for my Savior Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwehs_sVaofXpYC9BjtkJ_W-SDtoadzXgp_2fxKX2SaKck-XU3Hy1r7EC5BHtM6wPlN2VGRXA_A9Pawmb_s-8RyRUmqT8yKmqZ8ZP0EOnKkIw7mstt8Z1ZnV-XoyL_z9wVoD-HNSy6Ndc/s1600/DSCN1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwehs_sVaofXpYC9BjtkJ_W-SDtoadzXgp_2fxKX2SaKck-XU3Hy1r7EC5BHtM6wPlN2VGRXA_A9Pawmb_s-8RyRUmqT8yKmqZ8ZP0EOnKkIw7mstt8Z1ZnV-XoyL_z9wVoD-HNSy6Ndc/s200/DSCN1823.JPG" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Me with an autographed<br />bat given to me by one<br />of the members</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found an interesting quote this week that made me think of my
continued service as a servant of the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">President Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth president of the Church,
taught: “Men
and women who turn their lives over to God will discover He can make a lot more
out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision,
quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply
their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up
friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God
will find eternal life” (“Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” <i>Ensign</i>,
Dec. 1988, 4).</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-44464365655797867522016-02-01T11:05:00.001-08:002016-02-01T11:05:38.694-08:00Selwin and the Original Mission Home<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjARudL3ceQyglXkHafoKFoqJxSLEUg39COfI8CQjocliXzt4Wnb52ltmh9JTN7GseFU_JDaz2fWpJALqP3tofTQxanYezPB9UMezm9RQgiTkwtmzLz5xt_MEe2KJuA18wbvoQ6-O01g/s1600/missionhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjARudL3ceQyglXkHafoKFoqJxSLEUg39COfI8CQjocliXzt4Wnb52ltmh9JTN7GseFU_JDaz2fWpJALqP3tofTQxanYezPB9UMezm9RQgiTkwtmzLz5xt_MEe2KJuA18wbvoQ6-O01g/s400/missionhome.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Original mission home in Shreveport</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been a week where we finally got some work done in our own area. We also got to meet with our mission president and his wife for interviews so that was super fun and we got to take them to the old mission home in Shreveport, LA.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a good teaching week, too, as we focused on helping those we are teaching to progress and to help them to know of our purpose in meeting with them. It was tough but it had to be done and it went well. We met quite a few individuals this week and got a few return appointments. We met with one young lady yesterday while tracting who shed a few tears as we shared with her how much God really loves her. We knew the Holy Spirit had borne witness to her that what we were saying was true. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGdMuWQmSlhuBoknQgnXUdjopnQs-4NycMqYfvrrpBDZa3yUCoeYuJKN0QFRuhsi94L_1zYDEPmdp3XWJyWV9ckV8HyXwt0UEshoG2T_xPMgnx36lQtcMsUzIyuUJ4A9PdZdiG2tf8Bc/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGdMuWQmSlhuBoknQgnXUdjopnQs-4NycMqYfvrrpBDZa3yUCoeYuJKN0QFRuhsi94L_1zYDEPmdp3XWJyWV9ckV8HyXwt0UEshoG2T_xPMgnx36lQtcMsUzIyuUJ4A9PdZdiG2tf8Bc/s320/sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we set up a return appointment with her for next Sunday only to get a text from her about 30 minutes later saying that she couldn't meet with us anymore, which we knew was probably brought on by someone else. I know in a future time when she is presented with the opportunity to hear the gospel again, and when she will be able to make her own decision, she will accept it. We were definitely meant to find her yesterday. It's always amazing how many people are turned away from the gospel by others but it's even more amazing when those individuals accept the gospel when presented with the opportunity again because they remember the experiences they had. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord's work will go forward no matter what and He will continue to bring His children to a knowledge of His gospel and of all the truths it contains and we will be His instruments in doing so. He has blessed us with leaders who will guide us in helping Him fulfill His will for all mankind so we must continually give heed to their teachings.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elder M. Russell Ballard said: "Today I make you a promise. It’s a simple one, but it is true. If you will listen to the living prophet and the apostles and heed our counsel, you will not go astray".</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord has called a prophet and apostles in our day and has qualified them to help us follow His counsel. Let us strive with all our might to follow the counsels given for what joy it brings only one who follows it can explain.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-38848105605828064532016-02-01T10:16:00.002-08:002016-02-01T10:21:06.946-08:00Simeon and the Preacher<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcb6eg_bFQD4qCiApp6SLmIvkQSjaUqmuanV9ovtCvnMCUYureB06pTVqWJAgKWAFrCY8QMQJJaDML3Ga2ff126Aow_m0Vgmll4k-gL4MS4Om6uFzAiAWOYYu3Ye1mvpar084k0pZbFs/s1600/DSCN1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcb6eg_bFQD4qCiApp6SLmIvkQSjaUqmuanV9ovtCvnMCUYureB06pTVqWJAgKWAFrCY8QMQJJaDML3Ga2ff126Aow_m0Vgmll4k-gL4MS4Om6uFzAiAWOYYu3Ye1mvpar084k0pZbFs/s320/DSCN1825.JPG" width="260" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week we had an interesting little lesson
with a preacher. His daughter was in
Utah and brought back a Book of Mormon, which he started to read. Eventually he requested his own copy, so off
we went to give it to him, only to have him tell us, “it is so simple to
understand I taught a sermon with the words from this book. There were more amen's and hallelujahs when I
preached that sermon from the Book of Mormon than when I or any of
the bishops of the church preached from the Bible." He went on to say how he had to ask God for
forgiveness for teaching false doctrine and promised God he would only teach
the truth! He said the brethren in his church ordained him to be an Apostle but
he asked them, "How can you ordain me an Apostle when I have been teaching
the wrong things to these people?" It just goes to show, once again, the
Book of Mormon is true and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
the Lord's true church upon the earth! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy8VX600hX7DGXYWEFBJL6mSf97K5fXBZp1_tXT8u3s8DlkMGDEa8VhtvXYPNaVO-vhJ796kGKj47oeWclQ0-MJefUE7DUgIbQHDO3Jq-b-fquo9RIM9dZUtXdlKs3uV1IQW6RwyBLyA/s1600/DSCN1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy8VX600hX7DGXYWEFBJL6mSf97K5fXBZp1_tXT8u3s8DlkMGDEa8VhtvXYPNaVO-vhJ796kGKj47oeWclQ0-MJefUE7DUgIbQHDO3Jq-b-fquo9RIM9dZUtXdlKs3uV1IQW6RwyBLyA/s320/DSCN1830.JPG" width="228" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is wonderful to see how God opens the
eyes of those he is preparing for us and helps them know His truth. Who knows what will come of this simple act
and, in fact, the preacher went on to say everyone in his congregation asked him
where he got his information, so he gave them all the Church website! It looks like he is a missionary in </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the
making.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And during this week of studies I came across a lovely quote from President Thomas S Monson who said,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Greek philosopher Epictetus, ‘He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.’</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And that made me think ... am I grateful for all the blessings I receive and am I wise to rejoice in what I have rather than envy what others have? I know the Lord blesses all of his children and I echo Elder Holland who said simply enough, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">the "Race Should Be Against Sin, Not Each Other"</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-82183041015193067532016-01-25T14:28:00.002-08:002016-01-25T19:31:16.403-08:00Selwin and World Religion Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjcmnbOUUpCdHtLjzncAVjyqJLSo73Ljq6UXgrk8bjKBtGNB5Fkbasum4DB8YGDU6ZcLajFSQoJEXwIuP7aEQNyebvgqiO47U1HaB4V93oBYgKIEY2Ez6kosKp1udJhD4TMHX-mTUVRs/s1600/DSCN3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjcmnbOUUpCdHtLjzncAVjyqJLSo73Ljq6UXgrk8bjKBtGNB5Fkbasum4DB8YGDU6ZcLajFSQoJEXwIuP7aEQNyebvgqiO47U1HaB4V93oBYgKIEY2Ez6kosKp1udJhD4TMHX-mTUVRs/s400/DSCN3407.JPG" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><i>Exchanges with the AP's Elder Hainsworth, Elder Hendrickson, <br />Elder Mughal, Elder Hunter and me.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week we saw it all happen, from riding in the freezing cold and getting a flat tire to driving through a light snow storm and doing exchanges with the AP's and being in a trio for a few days, but it was awesome.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We didn't really get to work a lot in our own area but it was super awesome working with my fellow brethren as we strive to push forward with the Lord's work. We ended up having to switch our plans to accommodate Elder Hunter who is serving in Winnfield, LA. His companion had to fly home for his younger brother's funeral who died of leukemia. But it was great to see that he wasn't worried because of the plan which he knew our Heavenly Father created for us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We headed up to Ridgeland, Mississippi for exchanges with the assistants. While tracting we met a really cool atheist and got some good advice on what to study when we go to school. We then had the great privilege of representing the church at the 17th Annual World Religion Day in Shreveport. That was fun because we got to meet a wide variety of individuals from different religious organizations from around the area. My favorite was a Hindu gentleman who, after I told him where I was from and what sport I played, told me that there are a few individuals who play cricket here at the LSUS University campus in Shreveport. <br />
My joy shot through the roof! That would be super awesome to do on one of our preparation days.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW4eLbyjWJVOLSf-PdCuooe_gtlt7sFvSDCRJkL6Z2plEtzCtW-F3KadxZ5jDaN2blZIeNI1jVjUDbUwaOXIvHTipVnQqQYcJ0z49WcxF-KOtgM_f-UtNJkJFvLtFMOh9rIqImMbMN8E/s1600/DSCN3405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW4eLbyjWJVOLSf-PdCuooe_gtlt7sFvSDCRJkL6Z2plEtzCtW-F3KadxZ5jDaN2blZIeNI1jVjUDbUwaOXIvHTipVnQqQYcJ0z49WcxF-KOtgM_f-UtNJkJFvLtFMOh9rIqImMbMN8E/s320/DSCN3405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The trio</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the greatest joy came from my study of John 21:15-17 which reads:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of these scriptures Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles commented: "Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’ You can’t feed them if you don’t know where they are. You can’t feed them if you give them reason to resist you. You can’t feed them if you don’t have the food. You can’t feed them if you don’t have charity. You can’t feed them if you aren’t willing to work and share. …</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvj51QF9pOSBqzfIe6303eZt9_-VS6ElvtjqZocPWYiAtbowrBwkAB-2XGqNplBjM03YkyJ_YV-ZWaoiQazA97Lri4SsWr_4GZQ73nAhA91MyQh2Rc3W4KUEgXbH4pFe9Iu-n2r6DXeE/s1600/DSCN3416-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvj51QF9pOSBqzfIe6303eZt9_-VS6ElvtjqZocPWYiAtbowrBwkAB-2XGqNplBjM03YkyJ_YV-ZWaoiQazA97Lri4SsWr_4GZQ73nAhA91MyQh2Rc3W4KUEgXbH4pFe9Iu-n2r6DXeE/s320/DSCN3416-1.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me and my Hindu brother</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Those who need help come in all age brackets. Some of His sheep are young, lonely, and lost. Some are weary, afflicted, and worn with age. Some are in our own family, in our own neighborhood, or in the far corners of the world where we can help with fast offerings. Some are starving for food. Some are starving for love and concern.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“If we give His sheep reasons to resist us, the feeding process becomes difficult, if not impossible. No one can teach or help with sarcasm or ridicule. Dictatorship or ‘I’m right and you are wrong’ will negate all efforts to feed a wandering sheep. A wall of resistance will be built, and no one will benefit. …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“By our actions we show our love. Expressions of affection are empty if actions don’t match. All His sheep need the touch of a shepherd who cares".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a great responsibility we have to aid in helping the Savior by feeding His sheep. Let us be ready and worthy at all times to do just that and to continue to express our love for all. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-64109358917525610922016-01-25T11:21:00.002-08:002016-01-25T15:27:02.276-08:00Simeon in the Snow<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkKvWBAoV-o-g_wrMdTC8xeOtO17hW18EEataw7IoyonQO19IhxbETKpCBSZO0UUQGHBt5uLdiXxP4iQxCFvbw1Sq5l-nUJ-KJuHr56nGMc-Ppn1xvx9wKuv3WPdjN35JH4URbjTc95A/s1600/DSCN0016-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkKvWBAoV-o-g_wrMdTC8xeOtO17hW18EEataw7IoyonQO19IhxbETKpCBSZO0UUQGHBt5uLdiXxP4iQxCFvbw1Sq5l-nUJ-KJuHr56nGMc-Ppn1xvx9wKuv3WPdjN35JH4URbjTc95A/s400/DSCN0016-1.JPG" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bar-be-qued sausage on a cold winter day</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This week was way colder than I wanted,
expected and needed it to be. It even snowed! Yep, my companion got his wish,
which, I guess, keeps him happy. I am good with that, though it is quite unlike
the snowfall in St. George in 2013-14 and if you ever wondered who in the
world prayed or even fasted for it, you should know it was us! Now, now no hard
feelings. Let's admit we all loved it especially me and Sel and it made the
St. George Temple the place everyone wanted to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Since it was
really cold not a lot of people opened their doors to talk with us but those
who did we are ever thankful for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course you will have a few who will say, “not now, it's too cold” and I say,
"wow, you are telling me, buddy? I am out in it." Those are things one
just laughs about and so I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
walked a lot more this week also as our miles will not get renewed until the
start of next month and so we will be trucking along again this week which is
good because it feels good to use my legs a little bit more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We taught a
lesson to a member family this week and it was really amazing how the Holy
Spirit entered into the home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shared
a message about helping others through their tough times even when we are going
through ours and she committed on the spot with tears flowing down her cheeks
to do better. Now tell me, what else could have helped her see the error of her
ways but the Holy Spirit and the full Restored Gospel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It got me thinking of how much work I still
have to do, not that it's easy or anything but that I need to get better
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the wonderful lesson the mom
and dad then said looking at me "you know we also have a reputation for
fattening Elders." Yep, I saw that coming but I am happy with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mother is from Samoa and she knows about
cricket (the game) so I am not alone. To finish up here is a poem that has
helped me to realize how much our Heavenly Father loves us and needs us to know
so we can help others enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">“THE
GENEROUS ONE”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2FbFi464l9Cuh_F96VQDN2EzFcbn2ZqlWd2irltVYC_6kY5CPVaBzVSnYPUfMUwJiy4_ovSK-WXRcXpiLCm0rl6g4J8vrChK9n9iYTKl5oJGyXdDPahqu5pM2mmqxcYqDGV8K1d-jLc/s1600/DSCN0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2FbFi464l9Cuh_F96VQDN2EzFcbn2ZqlWd2irltVYC_6kY5CPVaBzVSnYPUfMUwJiy4_ovSK-WXRcXpiLCm0rl6g4J8vrChK9n9iYTKl5oJGyXdDPahqu5pM2mmqxcYqDGV8K1d-jLc/s320/DSCN0024.JPG" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Taco boats and a fruit smoothie ... </i><br />
<i>yummy in my tummy!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">I have
often pondered and wondered, Why God does what he does, why he loves me, the
way he does, cares for me the way he does or even sent his only begotten<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">from
above to die for us his Daughters <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">And
Sons?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Why do
something so grand and divine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">For such
a filthy and unworthy creature<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Such as
I?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Tears
fill my eyes as I see that God truly <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Does
love me for me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">The
mistakes I’ve made, the people I’ve hurt,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">The
Chaos I’ve caused and all the bad choices I’ve made<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Never
sent him away from me, but drew him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Ever
nearer and closer to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">His
words of comfort, his songs of peace; Helps me to know that though fallen I can<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Rise
again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">His son
he sent to die for me a robber, a thief, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">But
never the less his son I be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">For I
could never do what my brother did for me; Nails to his hands and feet, bruises
upon his back, vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">And
water he drank that my Savior he may<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Be!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">For he
suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and bled <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">From
every pore to take upon himself my sins, so that I may know that I can be
forgiven and even<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Endure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">He did
the will of his Father and not his own and this has provided safety for my
soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">He
reminded me that with God all things are possible and that as I use his name, I
can one day return safely home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">How can
it be that God could send his only begotten<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Son, to
die for someone like me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Who
dragged his name in the mud and used it <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">In vain
a million times for sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">And
finally today I have come to see that God is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">My
Father and that I am his son indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">For he
heals me when broken, dries my tears when I am sad, picks me up when I have
fallen, and encourages me to always use his beloved Son’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Atonement, for that is truly what will make
me happy and glad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">It is no
wonder that the Prophet Joseph Smith said,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">“What do
we hear in the Gospel that we have<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Received?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Truth
out of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Mercy
from Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">A voice
of gladness for the living and the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Shall we
not go on in so great a <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Cause?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Oh how I
shall go on in such a cause and I hope that you will as well; to remember that
there is a God in heaven, who sent his<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only begotten Son to die for all of us that we<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">May have
joy and to save this wonderful world of ours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">HE IS
GOD! HE IS WORTHY TO BE CALLED FATHER!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">HE IS
OUR FATHER! HE IS ONE WE MUST ALWAYS LOVE !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">INDEED
HE TRULY IS A GENEROUS GOD AND THE <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">GENEROUS
ONE. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">Elder Lovell (2016) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Gabriola; mso-fareast-font-family: Gabriola;">“Georgia Atlanta Mission”</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972943640064320089.post-81863549660322853122016-01-20T16:33:00.002-08:002016-01-20T16:34:50.007-08:00Selwin Comes Around ... Again!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptYQSltrbhYHjwtvvBeCSssHMih20odzkSEcp8o6hOUY4flaaMrd51imXyWkRXWNTDRtpn8d0CE6ek_On8Bzl4aTh_9E_lAsCeOcd536sZz4dJuRq3f0CkaQZ3zPbDb_7pPeZV82x2-c/s1600/239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptYQSltrbhYHjwtvvBeCSssHMih20odzkSEcp8o6hOUY4flaaMrd51imXyWkRXWNTDRtpn8d0CE6ek_On8Bzl4aTh_9E_lAsCeOcd536sZz4dJuRq3f0CkaQZ3zPbDb_7pPeZV82x2-c/s400/239.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>Exchanges with the Arkansas Elders </i></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Mughal</i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, Kirk, Hingano and me</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's so awesome to be back in the zone where I started my
mission, but this place has changed so much, everyone just seems to be in a
different world. My new companion is Elder Mughal, originally from California
but has lived in Utah since he was 8-years-old.
He came out on his mission the same time I did. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This past week we got to work and it was awesome. We were out
tracting and weren't having the best of times but we kept at it. In doing so we
met a young lady who we woke up. She told us to come back the next day at an
earlier time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course we did. We made
our way to her door in the cold and pouring rain on our bikes, but upon our
arrival she was so happy to see us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
taught her on her door step asking the question, "so what do you think the
purpose of this life is?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said,
"you know, I had this conversation with a friend the other day,” so we
asked "did you come to a conclusion/answer?" When she said “no” we
went on to tell her what our purpose really was in this life. Coincidence? I
think not! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's amazing how the Lord
helps us discern the needs of those we are teaching to the point we can teach
to their needs and help them come to know of the goodness of the Lord and about
His plan for them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also had a regional Stake Conference this weekend. It was
awesome. The speakers focused a lot on temple work and less-actives. It was
well delivered and I enjoyed it. During my studies this week I was once
again brought to the humbling realization of why we have the scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John 20:31 teaches us, “But these are written, that ye might
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might
have life through his name."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On this same subject Elder D. Todd Christofferson has said:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSigOjGLa8QOndYsF5CQIERpUvEVhr5Vmzcx5IioPceKKiKOFHoGe9ETjTf-yE6tk1MSivDGLxxeQrznJ44XHct31R0csEP2tp7r2nPHpiqE1Geox-RUUXFAI6lriTs8OIgaQVnZ21Idw/s1600/238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSigOjGLa8QOndYsF5CQIERpUvEVhr5Vmzcx5IioPceKKiKOFHoGe9ETjTf-yE6tk1MSivDGLxxeQrznJ44XHct31R0csEP2tp7r2nPHpiqE1Geox-RUUXFAI6lriTs8OIgaQVnZ21Idw/s400/238.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Me and my new companion, Elder Mughal</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"In the end, the central purpose of all scripture is to
fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ—faith
that They exist; faith in the Father’s plan for our immortality and eternal
life; faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates
this plan of happiness; faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of
life; and faith to come to know ‘the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He
has] sent."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
really brings one to the reality of why we need to treasure up these words and
why we need to share these words for they all testify of the Savior.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They guide us that we might know who He is,
His will for us and what He expects of us. The scriptures are a witness of the
love of God for us and of His plan which was created for us. It has been
brought forth to help us know of Him and to strengthen our testimony and the
testimonies of others. Let us not take it for granted. I know it will answer
any question and strengthen any individual that is my personal witness to you.
Until next week.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0