The greatest thing about teaching is that I get to see people take a journey. I see them think and question and when they truly seek they ALWAYS find. It is amazing how eager God is to give us answers and blessings when we decide that we are finally ready for them. God is always there for us, with open arms to recieve us. It is only our decisions that ever push us away from Him. And even when we leave He is always there waiting for us to turn back to welcome us back into His loving arms and to give us peace.
I am always so surprised at how easy it is to forget that love and peace in moments of decision. So often people are attracted to the false advertisements that Satan gives that something will bring us happiness... Money, relationships, being thin, being popular, etc. But it is simply a moment of fun or adrenaline and then we realize that Satan has given us nothing and left us empty. At this point we have two choices. We can continue trying to seek out the moments getting our thrills and then again feeling that emptiness OR we can seek for true happiness. Things that are substantial, things that are from God, things that leave us feeling full. - We can serve those around us and our hearts wil be full of love. We can seek learning and our minds will be full of knowledge. We can build relationships with friends and family and our lives will be full of happiness.
What is most important in this world? Is it the titles and the success that comes from running a company or being a supervisor? Is it being the prettiest person in the room with the most money? No. It is as simple as that. Our lives should be more meaningful than that.
So often we worry about the things that we don't have. We are taught by society to strive for more. To never be satisfied. What about what we already have? Thomas S. Monson talked about this at the last General Conference. He says that when we focus too much on tomorrow we find we have a bunch of empty yesterdays."
This is my challenge to each of you. To live this day to the fullest potential that it has. Do not worry about the future so much but focus on what is going on at this time. Look at what you have today and who you have. Take care of the relationships you have now. Spend time with your families, tell them you love them. Call your friends and let them know you truly care. Give your full heart even if that means it gets broken. Do something you've been meaning to do but just haven't been able to get around to it. Make it a wonderful day today.
That is something I am learning out here. Things don't always go the way we want it to.... but we can't let that stop us. We can't make choices for other people but we can make our own choices. Choose good and do what God wants and it will always work out in the end. He loves each of us so much and He is just waiting to help us and bless us. So let Him.
God really gives us everything for our benefit. Times can be tough but as you work through it you will be stronger and better. Thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. Trust in God and love every moment.
I love you all very much and I hope that you are all doing super great. It is funny to think that your lives go on regardless of if I am there or not. I hope that you all know that I care about you and pray for you often. I hope you are all having the most wonderful day! Keep your head to the sky!
God be with you till we meet again.
Love,
Sister Gordon
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Peace be unto thy soul
TRANSFER DAY! Wowzer! I cannot believe that transfers have come around! I have a new companion! Her name is Sister Henry and she is from France! She is beautiful and I can't wait to send you a picture of her! :) Her accent is gorgeous and I can already tell that we will be great friends! She is incredibly nice and laughs a lot. She is loving and straightforward which is a wonderful combination! I will miss Sister Clark a lot. She was such a wonderful and caring trainer and she taught me a lot! I received a new companion but I stayed in the same area, Quince Orchard West --- so I am still living in Gaithersburg, teaching in Germantown, and we go to the Quince Orchard Ward. I love the ward so much! They are really great people and they really care about each other and the missionaries. Our roommates are Hermana Gleason and Hermana Pinales. (Spanish Sisters) They are so much fun and I just know that our home is going to be filled with laughter and fun and a lot of hard work! I am happy that I was able to stay here for another transfer. I know that I am going to see many many miracles! I can just feel it! The work out here is so wonderful! I have loved sharing my testimony with people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has strengthened me and made me a happier person! It is amazing to see people have hope in their life and to really feel that God loves them. I know He does, He loves all of His children no matter what!
Knowing that God loves me regardless of all of my flaws helps me to truly love all of His children as well. It i an amazing thing to see a Child of God through Christ's eyes and to love them instantly. In my heart I feel an overwhelming desire to reach out and to help those who are in need both temporally and spiritually. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."(Mosiah 18:29) I know I am not perfect or maybe even the best missionary, but I have felt on many occassions on my mission that I was sent here for specific people at specific times to mourn with those that mourn and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."(Mosiah 18:9) God really does have a plan for each of us... And if we follow what He asks us to do and follow Him we will be lucky enough to have AMAZING experiences... to truly see miracles. I know this is possible for each of you. I know that as you do what God wants you to do and pray to Him doing all you can to keep His spirit with you... He will bless you beyond your fondest imaginations. You will be a part of something indescribable. I know that there will be hard times and difficulties that we will each go through, maybe sometimes they will feel unbearable... just know that these trials are but a small moment. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants. My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine badversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C121:7,8) This too shall pass, and when it does you will be made stronger and more capable to accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible. I know this is true because I have already seen it proven time and time again. Ah! I am out of time. I love you all so much! I miss you and I hope you are doing well!
God be with you till we meet again,
Love,
Sister Gordon
Knowing that God loves me regardless of all of my flaws helps me to truly love all of His children as well. It i an amazing thing to see a Child of God through Christ's eyes and to love them instantly. In my heart I feel an overwhelming desire to reach out and to help those who are in need both temporally and spiritually. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."(Mosiah 18:29) I know I am not perfect or maybe even the best missionary, but I have felt on many occassions on my mission that I was sent here for specific people at specific times to mourn with those that mourn and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."(Mosiah 18:9) God really does have a plan for each of us... And if we follow what He asks us to do and follow Him we will be lucky enough to have AMAZING experiences... to truly see miracles. I know this is possible for each of you. I know that as you do what God wants you to do and pray to Him doing all you can to keep His spirit with you... He will bless you beyond your fondest imaginations. You will be a part of something indescribable. I know that there will be hard times and difficulties that we will each go through, maybe sometimes they will feel unbearable... just know that these trials are but a small moment. "And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants. My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine badversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C121:7,8) This too shall pass, and when it does you will be made stronger and more capable to accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible. I know this is true because I have already seen it proven time and time again. Ah! I am out of time. I love you all so much! I miss you and I hope you are doing well!
God be with you till we meet again,
Love,
Sister Gordon
Sunday, February 27, 2011
You are an instrument to answer prayers!
Once again missionary work has been CRAZY busy and we have been working as hard as we can. The weather here the other day was so beautiful and sunny that the snow melted and no coat required... but that was just for a day or two and then the other night it snowed again. So, the coats came back out of the closet! I am surprised at how often people tell us it's cold out without letting us in, Ha ha! No worries though, I'm sure missionaries don't get as cold as normal people. :) We have one of the greatest wards EVER! They are like family to me and to those around them and I am seeing that more and more! People out here are so busy and they still seem to make time for us!
This is my challenge the week is that those of you out there make time for what is truly important to you. To make time for the people that you love and care about. The might not always be around and often times we don't realize how precious time is. I keep reading in the scriptures about how parents take time to teach their children. (Best exemplified by the 2,000 Stripling warriors...."they doubted not for their mothers knew it") And how husbands and wives love each other and talk with one another even through the hard times. (Adam and Eve, Lehi and Sariah. Zacharias and Elisabeth.....) Look at our modern day leaders. A very powerful couple that comes to mind is Elder Holland and his dear wife Patricia. Their is a great article in the March 2011 Ensign by them about Relief Society. What a great example of how a couple focuses and teaches together.
I have found one of the reasons why the Lord has commanded that we gather together at Church and why it is a commandment. Going to Church together as a family and learning about the church and discussing it through the week truly makes our families more loving and closer together. Along with that is that we are able to uplift other families and individuals that are in need. It is not about the building or the structure.... it is about the people. As we gather together and talk of Jesus Christ and pray together and fast together we are strengthened both spiritually and temporally. "I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.” (Mosiah 4:26.) I cannot tell you how the wards I have been in in the past and how the ward that I am in now have become my family and have strengthened me through hard times. I love them and I know that they love me. Because of the love that I feel at church, I have been able to realize that God loves me and that He is very mindful of my needs. I want to relate a true story I recently heard (first hand) about someone that I care about very much. (Now keep in mind this is not word for word and I hope they don't mind that I share it.)
A young woman and her family were struggling financially to make it. she was the breadwinner of the household and she just could not figure out how she was going to make ends meet. She prayed and did all that she could, but still... there was not enough money. Well, this woman and her family went to church and the Bishop called her into his office. Worried that she might be asked to take on another calling she was nervous.... she couldn't figure out how she would have time for more. She was already too stressed. The Bishop told her "I've had a strong impression that I should call you in and ask how the ward can help you." The woman said "Oh I'll be fine." The Bishop again asked, " How can we help, we would really like to." The woman thought... I need about $200.00, but that is too much to ask. So she replied, "Just pray for me." The Bishop paused for a moment and pondered. After a while he said, "Ok..... but would it be okay if I give you $200.00 as well, just to help out?" The woman began to cry and realized that her Heavenly Father really does hear and answer prayers, and that he had used a very inspired Bishop as an instrument to answer her prayers and to help her through.
Joseph F. Smith said: “Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can lend a helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent and in sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate the condition of mankind, it is our mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1917, 4). When we feel love for God’s children, we are given opportunities to help them in their journey back to His presence.
I know that part of the reason I want to do what I should is so that I can help the Lord to answer prayers.
I want all of you to know that I love and and I pray for you daily. You are wonderful people and have helped me so much to be the person I am today. I hope you are all doing good and truly know that I love you.
God be with you till we meet again,
Love,
Sister Gordon
This is my challenge the week is that those of you out there make time for what is truly important to you. To make time for the people that you love and care about. The might not always be around and often times we don't realize how precious time is. I keep reading in the scriptures about how parents take time to teach their children. (Best exemplified by the 2,000 Stripling warriors...."they doubted not for their mothers knew it") And how husbands and wives love each other and talk with one another even through the hard times. (Adam and Eve, Lehi and Sariah. Zacharias and Elisabeth.....) Look at our modern day leaders. A very powerful couple that comes to mind is Elder Holland and his dear wife Patricia. Their is a great article in the March 2011 Ensign by them about Relief Society. What a great example of how a couple focuses and teaches together.
I have found one of the reasons why the Lord has commanded that we gather together at Church and why it is a commandment. Going to Church together as a family and learning about the church and discussing it through the week truly makes our families more loving and closer together. Along with that is that we are able to uplift other families and individuals that are in need. It is not about the building or the structure.... it is about the people. As we gather together and talk of Jesus Christ and pray together and fast together we are strengthened both spiritually and temporally. "I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.” (Mosiah 4:26.) I cannot tell you how the wards I have been in in the past and how the ward that I am in now have become my family and have strengthened me through hard times. I love them and I know that they love me. Because of the love that I feel at church, I have been able to realize that God loves me and that He is very mindful of my needs. I want to relate a true story I recently heard (first hand) about someone that I care about very much. (Now keep in mind this is not word for word and I hope they don't mind that I share it.)
A young woman and her family were struggling financially to make it. she was the breadwinner of the household and she just could not figure out how she was going to make ends meet. She prayed and did all that she could, but still... there was not enough money. Well, this woman and her family went to church and the Bishop called her into his office. Worried that she might be asked to take on another calling she was nervous.... she couldn't figure out how she would have time for more. She was already too stressed. The Bishop told her "I've had a strong impression that I should call you in and ask how the ward can help you." The woman said "Oh I'll be fine." The Bishop again asked, " How can we help, we would really like to." The woman thought... I need about $200.00, but that is too much to ask. So she replied, "Just pray for me." The Bishop paused for a moment and pondered. After a while he said, "Ok..... but would it be okay if I give you $200.00 as well, just to help out?" The woman began to cry and realized that her Heavenly Father really does hear and answer prayers, and that he had used a very inspired Bishop as an instrument to answer her prayers and to help her through.
Joseph F. Smith said: “Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can lend a helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent and in sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate the condition of mankind, it is our mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1917, 4). When we feel love for God’s children, we are given opportunities to help them in their journey back to His presence.
I know that part of the reason I want to do what I should is so that I can help the Lord to answer prayers.
I want all of you to know that I love and and I pray for you daily. You are wonderful people and have helped me so much to be the person I am today. I hope you are all doing good and truly know that I love you.
God be with you till we meet again,
Love,
Sister Gordon
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Joy!
Oh my goodness! Time flies so quickly here! I am almost at the end of my 2nd transfer. Wow! I still feel like I just got here a few days ago. I am loving this area especially as it has been getting warmer. (No coat today) Sorry for all of you stuck in the freezing cold... but rest assured Utah does truly have the best snow on earth! The snow here is heavy and wet and icy. :) I have loved getting mail and things from all of you! You have no idea how much it brightens my day and brings joy to my heart. I love all of you my family and friends. I apologize that the last few weeks have been so crazy! I haven't had a chance to write out hand written letters. I will do that as soon as I can. (probably not today because we have appointments this afternoon.) You are all so wonderful and I miss you tons! But the work out here is good and I can truly see that there is happiness entering many lives! It is such a joy to see the happiness this gospel brings when it is understood.
Many people think that church is a way to tell them how to live. I like to think of it more as a way that God has to show us what he wants for us. When we follow God's commandments and the doctrines that Christ taught we are able to experience more joy. (2 Nephi 2:25) I love this scripture because it says that Adam fell that men MIGHT be and men are, that they MIGHT have joy. When Adam partook of the fruit he chose to stay with Eve that they could multiply and replenish the earth.. So that they could have a family and that their children could have children. And so each of us is born. We are, that we MIGHT have joy. Joy is not just a temporary happiness or a moment of fun. Joy is something that is lasting... that survives hard times and difficulties. Joy is the peace we experience knowing that Christ is always there for us no matter what. That He has experienced what we have experienced and that we can lean on him for support. Joy comes not from what the world can offer but only from what God can offer. However, We know that we must experience bad to understand the good. ( 2 Nephi 2;11 "For it must needs be, that there is an aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.") We are here for an experience that will help us to grow and to become more than we are at this moment. And sometimes growing hurts.... a lot. But if we are truly trying to be like the Savior we must expect to experience our own Gethsemane at times. How could we be like the Savior if we didn't? In a talk by Hugh B. Brown January 1973 (New Era pg. 14) he says "I was living up in Canada. I had purchased a farm. It was run-down. I went out one morning and saw a currant bush. It had grown up over six feet high. It was going all to wood. There were no blossoms and no currants. I was raised on a fruit farm in Salt Lake before we went to Canada, and I knew what ought to happen to that currant bush. So I got some pruning shears and went after it, and I cut it down, and pruned it, and clipped it back until there was nothing left but a little clump of stumps. It was just coming daylight, and I thought I saw on top of each of these little stumps what appeared to be a tear, and I thought the currant bush was crying. I was kind of simpleminded (and I haven’t entirely gotten over it), and I looked at it, and smiled, and said, “What are you crying about?” You know, I thought I heard that currant bush talk. And I thought I heard it say this: “How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. I was almost as big as the shade tree and the fruit tree that are inside the fence, and now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me, because I didn’t make what I should have made. How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.” That’s what I thought I heard the currant bush say, and I thought it so much that I answered. I said, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and some day, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down, for caring enough about me to hurt me. Thank you, Mr. Gardener.’ ” God knows what is good for us and what we need to be able to grow and become strengthened... and better than what we could be on our own. He loves us and He wants us to be amazing. :) And I want you to know that all of you are. You are amazing and wonderful people. I have so many memories of the amazing people that I have been able to call Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, and Friend. I love you all so much and want you to know that you are some of the greatest people on Earth and that I feel very priviledged to know you. Keep living the wonderful lives that you do!
I would like to end with a favorite quote of mine from Jeffrey R. Holland from the last general conference. "My thanks to all you wonderful members of the Church.... for proving every day of you life that the pure love of Christ never faileth." He ends his talk as I would like to end my letter. "seeing your example, I pledge anew my determination to be better, to be more faithful-more kind and devoted, more charitable and true as our Father in Heaven is and as so many of you already are."
I love you all very very much.
God be with you till we meet again.
Love,
Sister Gordon
Many people think that church is a way to tell them how to live. I like to think of it more as a way that God has to show us what he wants for us. When we follow God's commandments and the doctrines that Christ taught we are able to experience more joy. (2 Nephi 2:25) I love this scripture because it says that Adam fell that men MIGHT be and men are, that they MIGHT have joy. When Adam partook of the fruit he chose to stay with Eve that they could multiply and replenish the earth.. So that they could have a family and that their children could have children. And so each of us is born. We are, that we MIGHT have joy. Joy is not just a temporary happiness or a moment of fun. Joy is something that is lasting... that survives hard times and difficulties. Joy is the peace we experience knowing that Christ is always there for us no matter what. That He has experienced what we have experienced and that we can lean on him for support. Joy comes not from what the world can offer but only from what God can offer. However, We know that we must experience bad to understand the good. ( 2 Nephi 2;11 "For it must needs be, that there is an aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.") We are here for an experience that will help us to grow and to become more than we are at this moment. And sometimes growing hurts.... a lot. But if we are truly trying to be like the Savior we must expect to experience our own Gethsemane at times. How could we be like the Savior if we didn't? In a talk by Hugh B. Brown January 1973 (New Era pg. 14) he says "I was living up in Canada. I had purchased a farm. It was run-down. I went out one morning and saw a currant bush. It had grown up over six feet high. It was going all to wood. There were no blossoms and no currants. I was raised on a fruit farm in Salt Lake before we went to Canada, and I knew what ought to happen to that currant bush. So I got some pruning shears and went after it, and I cut it down, and pruned it, and clipped it back until there was nothing left but a little clump of stumps. It was just coming daylight, and I thought I saw on top of each of these little stumps what appeared to be a tear, and I thought the currant bush was crying. I was kind of simpleminded (and I haven’t entirely gotten over it), and I looked at it, and smiled, and said, “What are you crying about?” You know, I thought I heard that currant bush talk. And I thought I heard it say this: “How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. I was almost as big as the shade tree and the fruit tree that are inside the fence, and now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me, because I didn’t make what I should have made. How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.” That’s what I thought I heard the currant bush say, and I thought it so much that I answered. I said, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and some day, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down, for caring enough about me to hurt me. Thank you, Mr. Gardener.’ ” God knows what is good for us and what we need to be able to grow and become strengthened... and better than what we could be on our own. He loves us and He wants us to be amazing. :) And I want you to know that all of you are. You are amazing and wonderful people. I have so many memories of the amazing people that I have been able to call Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, and Friend. I love you all so much and want you to know that you are some of the greatest people on Earth and that I feel very priviledged to know you. Keep living the wonderful lives that you do!
I would like to end with a favorite quote of mine from Jeffrey R. Holland from the last general conference. "My thanks to all you wonderful members of the Church.... for proving every day of you life that the pure love of Christ never faileth." He ends his talk as I would like to end my letter. "seeing your example, I pledge anew my determination to be better, to be more faithful-more kind and devoted, more charitable and true as our Father in Heaven is and as so many of you already are."
I love you all very very much.
God be with you till we meet again.
Love,
Sister Gordon
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Gratitude
In the Sunday morning session of October General Conference 2010, President Thomas S. Monson said, "Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
So I wanted to express my gratitude to all of you. Those that I love and especially those that are willing to take the time to look at this blog. I want to tell you all thank you for being there for me through both good times and bad; for short times and long. Thank you for being there to cry with me and to console me. And even better than that thank you for being there to make me smile and laugh! Thank you for being dear to me. Thank you for letting me be dear to you. I know, I know, this is like a super bad Hallmark Card, but I do truly appreciate you. I love you and I am so grateful that you could be a part of my life. I know that I would not be the person I am today without each of you. My dear family and friends... I love you with all of my heart!
And I know that the Savior loves you as well. Because I know this I would like to share my testimony that He does live and He loves each one of us dearly and individually. He suffered for each of us and He saw each of our faces. He knows what you go through each day and He wants to be there to help, even when nobody else can be there. Let Him help you with each day of your life. He loves you.
" He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved."({President Thomas S. Monson, October General Conference 2010.) Of this I also testify, I love you all and am so grateful for your lives and the blessing you are in mine.
God be with you till we meet again!
Love,
Sister Gordon
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Friends in D.C.
Friday, February 4, 2011
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