I think I've used that title before, but it fits again. So, I got called by Pres. last week and was asked to train again! It's awesome. Some of the other Elders were calling me "Jacob" due to all my sons. Ironical, if you ask me; haha (no, most don't know my first name. I don't often share that with people). We're having 21 or so new missionaries, as I've mentioned before, so it'll be an interesting orientation. Trainer's Council was awesome, as always. Pres. mostly focused on how sacred a trust it is to be a trainer, and how we're responsible for how good of a start we give these new missionaries. We also talked about how to "immerse [ourselves] in the scriptures," as Pres. Benson encouraged us to do. I've learned for myself that reading 2 chapters from the Book of Mormon a day with your companion can work wonders. I testify that it will do the same for the family. I say 2 chapters a day, because then you can finish the entire Book of Mormon by the end of training. But even just 1 chapter, or some few verses a day will help the family come closer together. It's a true promise; give it a try, will you? The blessings will be wonderful, no matter the size of the family.
Other than that, the week was normal. We did get Br. Bonsu interviewed for baptism on Sunday; he passed! That means, if I stay in Kaneshie (not 100% sure, but Pres. normally tells you when you're leaving an area at the time he calls you to train, and he didn't say anything to me) my new son will have a baptism his first Saturday! That's always cool. I think that's what happened for E. Beaufeaux. I can't remember for E. Nembaware. I know it didn't for E. Bies, because it was a new area. BUT! We did baptize here before E. Bies left, and he'll get to hear of all the fruit that gets harvested if he leaves.
That's about it. E. Bies is doing really well. He was hoping that he'd get called to train as well; he wants the learning experience. I'm very happy with how far he's come and how much he's changed. He's a wonderful missionary and will do amazing things in this mission, as well as any other he may get called to (rumor has it, the Ghana Kumasi mission will be taking some missionaries from Cape Coast and Accra missions to help start it off. Remember, that's just a rumor; I haven't heard anyone in any position of authority say anything about that). Either way, he's off to a great start, and I'm blessed to have been a part of that. Training is the most wonderful thing you can do on mission. Pres. even asked me that during interviews. He asked me if I preferred to train or not. I told him training is always harder, but it's so much more rewarding. You learn so much more doing that than anything else. I've been so blessed to have had so many experiences doing that. If I'm lucky, I'll get to train one more time before I have to leave; although, that probably won't happen, as I'd be leaving mid-training. I dunno; we shall see. Right now I have to focus on the one right in front of me! It's cool; the last 3 companions (including this next one; technically 4, if you include E. Larsen, which I do) have all been my sons; hahaha. Not many missionaries can say that. I've been so blessed; I hope that doesn't sound cocky or prideful, but I'm just so thankful at the patience and love God has shown me, and the blessings I have received by His hand.
Anyways, I love you all! I'd like to remind everyone that the letter system thingy here is very terrible; from what I can tell, only about half of the letters I've sent make it to their destination, and it seems only a few of them make it back to me to tell me they didn't make it. So, I apologize for anything that's gone wrong in writing letters. I do my best, but I'm not that good at it, and the postal system or whatever we use here doesn't help. It's weird, I thought the pouch uses a special something or another, but I dunno. Anyways, I'm still working on it, and I hope everyone gets what I send out.
K; love you! I'll end here with Pres.'s letter, as usual.
"Dear Elders and Sisters:
Other than that, the week was normal. We did get Br. Bonsu interviewed for baptism on Sunday; he passed! That means, if I stay in Kaneshie (not 100% sure, but Pres. normally tells you when you're leaving an area at the time he calls you to train, and he didn't say anything to me) my new son will have a baptism his first Saturday! That's always cool. I think that's what happened for E. Beaufeaux. I can't remember for E. Nembaware. I know it didn't for E. Bies, because it was a new area. BUT! We did baptize here before E. Bies left, and he'll get to hear of all the fruit that gets harvested if he leaves.
That's about it. E. Bies is doing really well. He was hoping that he'd get called to train as well; he wants the learning experience. I'm very happy with how far he's come and how much he's changed. He's a wonderful missionary and will do amazing things in this mission, as well as any other he may get called to (rumor has it, the Ghana Kumasi mission will be taking some missionaries from Cape Coast and Accra missions to help start it off. Remember, that's just a rumor; I haven't heard anyone in any position of authority say anything about that). Either way, he's off to a great start, and I'm blessed to have been a part of that. Training is the most wonderful thing you can do on mission. Pres. even asked me that during interviews. He asked me if I preferred to train or not. I told him training is always harder, but it's so much more rewarding. You learn so much more doing that than anything else. I've been so blessed to have had so many experiences doing that. If I'm lucky, I'll get to train one more time before I have to leave; although, that probably won't happen, as I'd be leaving mid-training. I dunno; we shall see. Right now I have to focus on the one right in front of me! It's cool; the last 3 companions (including this next one; technically 4, if you include E. Larsen, which I do) have all been my sons; hahaha. Not many missionaries can say that. I've been so blessed; I hope that doesn't sound cocky or prideful, but I'm just so thankful at the patience and love God has shown me, and the blessings I have received by His hand.
Anyways, I love you all! I'd like to remind everyone that the letter system thingy here is very terrible; from what I can tell, only about half of the letters I've sent make it to their destination, and it seems only a few of them make it back to me to tell me they didn't make it. So, I apologize for anything that's gone wrong in writing letters. I do my best, but I'm not that good at it, and the postal system or whatever we use here doesn't help. It's weird, I thought the pouch uses a special something or another, but I dunno. Anyways, I'm still working on it, and I hope everyone gets what I send out.
K; love you! I'll end here with Pres.'s letter, as usual.
"Dear Elders and Sisters:
The Garden Tomb is the location in Jerusalem where both President Harold B. Lee and President Spencer W. Kimball believed to be the burial place of the Savior. In 1979 President Spencer W. Kimball said of his visit to the Garden Tomb: "We accept this as the burial place of the Savior. We realize people have different ideas about these places, but this seems to be the logical place. I feel quite sure that this is the place where His body was laid. It gives me such a sacred feeling just to be here" (Church News, 3 November 1979, p. 5). I have had the blessing of visiting the Garden Tomb and have felt what President Kimball described.
Many years ago I had a friend who was a coal miner. He and several of his fellow workers were deep inside a mine when there was a terrible explosion. My friend and all of his co-workers were trapped inside. Many people tried for many days to find and free my friend and the other miners, but they were not successful. It was eventually determined that the miners had died in the explosion and that their bodies would remain inside the mountain as their final resting place.
President Gordon B. Hinckley traveled to the location of this disaster and attended a special memorial service for those who died and their families. After the service, President Hinckley asked if he could talk with the families of those who had died. My friend's wife was one of those whom President Hinckley spoke to and attempted to comfort. When President Hinckley greeted her, she began to pound her fists on his chest and began to scream, "please get my husband out of that mountain." President Hinckley very kindly and graciously allowed her to express her pain and then simply said, "Dear Sister, there is something I must tell you. While it is true that your husband's body is still inside the mountain, he is not there. Your husband is here with you now if you will allow yourself to feel the presence of his spirit even though the absence of his body is bringing you great pain." President Hinckley also testified that the day would come when all will be resurrected no matter the circumstances of their burials. The testimony of this Special Witness of Christ brought this woman (who was not a member of the Church) and all who were in attendance great peace. This story helps me remember that there is life after death and that while my friend's body is still inside of that mountain, there will come a day when he will be resurrected.
As missionaries, we meet people everyday who have suffered or who are now suffering great loss of one kind or another. Some have lost a family member to death. Others are experiencing the pains of sickness. Many others that we meet have some physical or emotional handicap that makes their life very difficult. The Lord will send you to such people to teach and comfort them. A part or our sacred duty is to testify that through the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ there will come a day when the blind shall see, the lame shall walk, and the dead shall rise again.
There will come a day when my friend's spirit and his body, "shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time . . ." (Alma 11:43). I know that my friend and all others who have lost those they love will once again be reunited and be able to feel the physical embrace of those we love.
Elders and Sisters, please testify to those you meet who are suffering with the loss of those they love or who are experiencing some physical, emotional, or spiritual pain, that the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ did happen and that all may be healed. You also may want to review as companionships and perhaps as districts the proper procedure for giving a priesthood blessing. One of the great teachings of the Book of Mormon is that the blessings of the Savior's atonement and resurrection are not limited to the forgiveness of sins, but include the healing of those who are sick. Remember the words of Alma to the people of Gideon concerning the blessings of the Savior's sacrifice:
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. (Alma 7:11-13)
Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing. You and those you teach are in my thoughts and prayers continually.
Much Love,
President Judd"
I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. It can and will help us overcome all the wickedness that enters into our lives, whether it be our own or that of others. Draw upon it, and come unto Christ; yea, "Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.
O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever" (Jacob 3:1-2). This is true, and it is possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Read the Book of Mormon daily, and you will learn more about the Atonement than you will in any other book.
I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. It can and will help us overcome all the wickedness that enters into our lives, whether it be our own or that of others. Draw upon it, and come unto Christ; yea, "Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.
O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever" (Jacob 3:1-2). This is true, and it is possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Read the Book of Mormon daily, and you will learn more about the Atonement than you will in any other book.
I know this is true. I love you all! Have a great week, and read the Book of Mormon daily and prayerfully, both by yourself and with your companions!
--Elder Collings
--Elder Collings
No comments:
Post a Comment