Dreams come true AND prayers do too
I could write a book, "Dreams Come True AND Prayers do Too" but let me just stick to today's events and the activities for this past week.
Today, I was specifically fasting and praying for investigators to come to church.
President Russell M. Nelson said,
“Nothing opens the heavens, quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.”
I testify that his words are true. As we were serving on Thanksgiving Day in the temple, it was a different feast yes, but it was a feast that I would choose over turkey and the fixin' any day. This Thanksgiving will be one to always remember and hold sacred in my heart. Even though the children and grandchildren far away were tugging at my emotions, the temple filled me with love and peace. I am most grateful for this blessing.
Today, I was specifically fasting and praying for investigators to come to church.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that we should believe not only in His “macro plan of salvation” but also in His micro plan for each of our personal lives.
I believe that God is in the details of our life and that HE WILL bless us according to His will and our faith, but we need to ask. I think about young Joseph Smith. What if he would not have "asked" in faith? And yes, it takes faith. I stumbled across this great article and would like to invite you to read it.
This article gives some great tips about prayer.
Today as I was thinking about what to fast for, the investigators that I wanted to see at church came to mind - and yes, I have a "missionary mind" now more than ever. I wanted to have the opportunity to have them at today's fast and testimony meeting. It finally "hit" me in Sunday School when I looked across and saw literally - member, investigator, member, investigator, member, investigator, member, investigator. I was looking around and it was like 70/30... seventy percent member and 30 percent investigators. Our young missionary sisters, Sisters Allred and Ellsworth are on fire! The ward mission leader is on fire. The members are on fire. I am so excited about the possibilities of our little Humacao ward growing.
 |
| Sister Allred, investigator Jaileen, and Sister Ellsworth |
In my "blessing" from the Lord, it said that the church will grow where I labor. I am amazed at how quickly I see that happening and we have only been here a short time.
This past week, we were in the Dominican Republic. We had not planned to do a temple trip during this six months, but the stake was organizing one and they had room for us. We were so blessed that it just fell in our lap. It is hard to put into words what happened this past week. The temple is so enlightening, such a strength. The temple is definitely the Lord's University.
We arrived on Monday the 25th of December. Each day we were able to participate in temple work until lunch, and then go back at 5 p.m. and work until about 7:30 p.m. The temple was only a short walking distance from where we were staying. The MTC (missionary training center) there is no longer operating and they have converted it to "housing" for temple workers. They charge only $2.00 per day. No, that is not a typo.
Doing temple work practically all day everyday is a blessing that again, I can't explain. Each day was a spiritual feast. Being able to focus on only the temple, with no other distractions was a dream come true!
The stake president, Presidente Hernandez, arranged for us to have a devotional early each morning. He had invited people to come speak to us. We had President and Sister Santos, mission president and wife come to speak at the first one. Then he had Elder Eduardo Gavorret, First Counselor to the Area Presidency of the Caribbean speak. I had the privilege and honor to be invited to play the piano for these devotionals. The spirit was strong and it set the tone for the rest of the day in the temple.
I was so sad to leave Santo Domingo when it was time. I seriously could just live in the temple and be happy until eternity. There is nothing that brings me more joy. We got to perform the ordinances for several of our ancestors while there. I testify that as you find the work that needs to be done for your ancestors, the joy is multiplied in the temple. It is a grand blessing to be involved in such an important work. President Russell M. Nelson has asked us to be involved in the work on both sides of the veil.
This past week, we were in the Dominican Republic. We had not planned to do a temple trip during this six months, but the stake was organizing one and they had room for us. We were so blessed that it just fell in our lap. It is hard to put into words what happened this past week. The temple is so enlightening, such a strength. The temple is definitely the Lord's University.
We arrived on Monday the 25th of December. Each day we were able to participate in temple work until lunch, and then go back at 5 p.m. and work until about 7:30 p.m. The temple was only a short walking distance from where we were staying. The MTC (missionary training center) there is no longer operating and they have converted it to "housing" for temple workers. They charge only $2.00 per day. No, that is not a typo.
Doing temple work practically all day everyday is a blessing that again, I can't explain. Each day was a spiritual feast. Being able to focus on only the temple, with no other distractions was a dream come true!
The stake president, Presidente Hernandez, arranged for us to have a devotional early each morning. He had invited people to come speak to us. We had President and Sister Santos, mission president and wife come to speak at the first one. Then he had Elder Eduardo Gavorret, First Counselor to the Area Presidency of the Caribbean speak. I had the privilege and honor to be invited to play the piano for these devotionals. The spirit was strong and it set the tone for the rest of the day in the temple.
I was so sad to leave Santo Domingo when it was time. I seriously could just live in the temple and be happy until eternity. There is nothing that brings me more joy. We got to perform the ordinances for several of our ancestors while there. I testify that as you find the work that needs to be done for your ancestors, the joy is multiplied in the temple. It is a grand blessing to be involved in such an important work. President Russell M. Nelson has asked us to be involved in the work on both sides of the veil.
President Russell M. Nelson said,
“Nothing opens the heavens, quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.”
I testify that his words are true. As we were serving on Thanksgiving Day in the temple, it was a different feast yes, but it was a feast that I would choose over turkey and the fixin' any day. This Thanksgiving will be one to always remember and hold sacred in my heart. Even though the children and grandchildren far away were tugging at my emotions, the temple filled me with love and peace. I am most grateful for this blessing.
 |
| Santo Domingo Temple |
Comments
Post a Comment