Preparing For Storms In Our Lives

Many of the areas surrounding us were affected by the storm. I also heard that a few people died because they were out wandering in the storm. These people knew that the storm was coming... they had the information and the time to prepare but they didn't take it. They left the safety of their homes to wander out for what I'm sure they thought would be a fun and cool experience.

 

So it can be with ourselves. We know that we need to make preparations. This is true on a temporal level as has been taught by modern prophets. We need to prepare food storage and have money saved up so that when hard times come we are prepared and we have all that we need. This is also true on a spiritual level. We know the commandments God has given us. These are not cages or a list of do's and do not's. They are guideposts to keep us out of harms way and to give us direction to a happier and better life. How often do we ignore the warnings that a storm is coming and decide not to prepare for it. How often do we decide that we can read our scriptures later or that we are in too big of a rush to pray... so that when the temptations come we are not well enough equipped to be able to overcome them. How often do we decide that the experience of a hurricane might be fun or exciting? How often do we look at sin as an exciting or fun experience that we do not want to miss. Are we willing to risk our lives for such experiences? Are we willing to seek instant gratification and momentary happiness or fun at the sacrifice of lasting happiness? I think that it is very easy to look so closely at the now and what we want instead of focusing on the long term. The big picture is so much more important! When we lose sight of that it is easy to  walk in the storm but when we see the lasting effects of each choice that we make we will be determined to move forward with not what is most rewarding in the moment but what is actually better for us long term 

"nothing will ever permanently go wrong when you are doing what is right."

 

This is my  invitation for each of you. To look at the lasting effects of the decisions you make. To choose the better part. To do that which will have lasting happiness and not just a moment or two. Heed the counsel of the Lord and of the Prophets. I know that as you do this you will see the blessings that come and you will experience lasting joy.

 

God be with you till we meet again.

Love,

 Sister Gordon

Adventures in D.C.

Nikki is doing well in D.C. She has been through recording breaking heat, an earthquake, and now hurricane Irene. Lost power for a few hours, but anxious to get out and help with service projects to help others.

I hope all is well in the mountains of Utah and other places that you all may be. Washington D.C. is a beautiful and wonderful place. I think I've mostly gotten used to the humidity and I enjoy filtering my water so that it tastes more like home. :) Time seems to be moving so fast here and I am doing all that I can to slow it down. I have learned so much about enjoying the moment and focusing on what is happening now while also setting goals for the future.

That sounds so weird... it seems like you shouldn't be able to do that. The way I have been able to accomplish that is by setting daily goals that will help me to achieve my longer term goals. It is incredible because it helps me to focus on the needs of the day and the miracles of the day while still helping me to continue to meet the needs of the week and the month, etc. I don't know if that makes sense or if it is even enlightening for anybody else. The point I am making though is that it is important to have goals. Goals for our spirituality, for our careers, for our families, for our minds, and even for our physical bodies. In a talk given by Thomas S. Monson  he said
In Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice finds herself coming to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom she asks, “Which path shall I take?”

The cat answers: “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t really matter which path you take!” ¹

Unlike Alice, each of you knows where you want to go. It does matter which way you go, for the path you follow in this life leads to the path you will follow in the next. 

However, it is so important to not lose sight of the beauty of the day that we are in. Each day is a gift given to us by God. Some days are harder than others some are busier and some are more of a celebration! Each day is something that we are given to experience. Let us experience them fully with every part of our soul and heart. Every experience is given to us to help us to learn and grow, to empathize with other, to help us to love more fully and to draw closer to God. When we understand that God is mindful of even the sparrow (there is a scripture that talks about a sparrow dropping please insert here.) we know that he is mindful of us. He has an individual plan for each of us. All of which work together for our experience and are for our good. No matter how righteous we are we will not be devoid of trying times in our life... that is not the plan. Some mistakenly think that if we can simply be righteous enough and do our part that we will never experience hard things. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was perfect. He did everything right, and it was He who suffered the most pain in this world. So much that he bled from every pore.  How then can we expect to avoid hard times in this life? We cannot, but we do have the promise that God is there, that He loves us, and that He will help us to have the strength to get through anything if we will keep our faith and strengthen it... especially in our difficult times.Jesus Christ does not merely lift us when we fall to put a band aid on.... If we allow Him to He will take us and clean our wounds, which may be painful at times, and He will stay with us and heal us. The prophet Malachi declared, “Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” (Mal. 4:2.)I love you all so much! I miss you all so much and I hope that all of you are doing well. Thank you for your letters, your love and your support. :) I don't know what I would do without it! I hope that you all can fully experience your day today and in the coming days and that as you set goals for each day and for your future that you will see an amazing growth in your life! And remember that it doesn't all come at once but little by little. (Line upon line precept upon precept.) I love you with all of my heart!

 

God be with you till we meet again.

Love,

 Sister Gordon

Keep running

Sometimes it seems like you are running and nothing is happening and you just see more and more that you still have to do! You know that if you stop you might not be able to start again so you keep running. You are getting so tired and you aren't sure if you can make it... and then something happens. You get your second wind, and not only are you running now but you also are enjoying it. The experience is amazing and you can finish the race strong and happy. But for awhile you just need to keep running.

God helps us magnify our talents

I think it is interesting how much  love has developed over time. There are a lot of things, like instantly loving people that I thought I was good at before but that have definitely developed while I have been out. I know that God gives us talents so that we can help to build his kingdom. It is incredible how he magnifies those talents and abilities as we serve the Lord. I have seen that in callings in the church and especially I have seen it on the mission. I love how the Lord blesses us as we do what we are asked. Prayer is also such a big part of developing those things that we are given. I have seen how much prayer has effected who I am and the things that I do. I have seen the Sisters develop their talents to such a degree on their missions. Some have increased their ability to draw, sing, play instruments, and many many more. It is just incredible because we have very little time to practice these things but each person seems to be able to increase. I know that this is a blessing from God. We have been set apart and as part of that we are able to increase our learning in ALL aspects! I am so happy for the abilities and talents that I personally have seen magnified while I have been on my mission and I am excited to continue that development.

And the winner is...........

Testimony

Just incredible how the Spirit of the Lord and the authority of God can make such a difference in the words we say. He takes men in their weakness and qualifies them to do great things. But without the Spirit of the Lord we cannot do it! By ourselves we are nothing, but with God we can accomplish anything He asks of us. 

I love the power of testimony and how we know that things are right. The best part is that it doesn't have to be eloquent or a memorized verse but it is what we know and how it has blessed our lives. The best thing about testimony is that when we share it our testimony grows and often it helps others to grow theirs. I encourage you to bear your testimony.   I know that as you do this it will touch someone's heart and you will be the answer to their prayers. Sister Liddiard used to say the best quote ever "Testimonies are like a toothbrush; everyone should have their own."

I am enjoying so much being here in the Washington D.C. North area! It is crazy to think that a year ago this time I was in Ecuador! How I miss Ecuador but love where I am in life. It is so interesting how the things happen in our lives. I love the orchestration and hand that God plays. I can see that event after event has helped to prepare me for things I am doing now. I can also see the things and events going on now and how they will prepare me for my future. I testify of this all of the time BUT I LOVE THIS CONCEPT! God is a loving Heavenly Father who knows us and who hears us and who cares about us. He knows what we will go through and what we will need. As long as we will turn to Him and rely on Him, He will give us the strength that we need and will help us to grow. We will become great and we will do great things. We will look back and see that everything has worked together for our good and has given us the experience that we need. (Mosiah 2:41)  And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. I know that when we follow the commandments of God we will find an unshakeable inner peace that allows us to be happy even in the hardest times of our life.

 

The gospel is incredible. It blesses individuals and families. It helps us at any age and in any situation and it is meant to help us to have a personal relationship with God and with Jesus Christ. I know that it is true because I have seen it help me and I have seen its powerful influence in the lives of others. There is nothing better than to see the peace and blessings the gospel brings.

 

God be with you till we meet again,

love,

Sister Gordon