Kia Ora
(Elder G's snippit from Aug 11th)
*Long hours as the Area Seventies came in for Area training
*Beautiful views all around us but I didn't have time to see them because I left for the office before sunrise and came home after sunset all week
*Prepared hour long training for the Area Seventies, spoke at Sacrament meeting for them. I spoke about D&C 50--about how it's important for both the learner and the teacher to be edified. It's important for us to be prepared to teach the word of the Lord and even more importantly to receive what is taught through the Holy Ghost. When we do that we can have "perfect days" v.24 That which is of god is light and he that receiveth light and continueth in god receiveth more light and that light grows brighter and brighter until the perfect day. DC 50. In a troubled world we're trying to have "perfect days" so no matter what obstacles are in our way as we turn to the Lord He can help us have exceptional experiences in this lifetime. We'll all have a chance to hear 3 Nephi 11, "Behold my beloved son--hear ye him" at some future point and through our faith we'll be able to feel the Savior's wounds and know of assurety that He is the Savior of the world.
My presentations were on:
The Lord Hastening His work of Salvation
Conducting effective coordinating councils
Building up the Lord's Church
The bishop invited me Monday morning to go fishing with his son and him on his boat. They go not far from our beach and fish for red snapper. We nearly froze to death and didn't catch any fish except bait. It's still winter here but it was still fun. In the summer you catch fish nearly every cast. Can't wait to try it. When our family comes to visit the bishop wants to take us all out on his boat!
Tonight we had a special FHE at the Pearson's home next door. The Area presidency were all there with wives, and the mission president in Auckland, President and Sister
Balli, The DTA, Elder and Sister Oakes, the current and new executive secretaries, Elder and Sister Reynolds, and Elder and Sister Brereton all came. We had delicious salmon, funeral potatoes, green salad, appetizers and healthy dessert Peggy Haleck learned to make at our health food store class last week. We also had left over apple/rhubarb crumble from the Area Council meetings.
For FHE Elder Pearson asked all veteran couples their favourite things to do in NZ. We're taking notes so that when you all come we'll have lots of fun options for you to choose from!
We've been asked to read the B of M twice this year. Tonight Elder Pearson gave the lesson on the importance of "clinging" to the B of M so that we won't be lead astray in the last days. He quoted from 1 Nephi 15 the promise that if we would cling to the word of God--the B of M--we're promised we'll never all away from the truth. He told that Elder Romney in his 80's was asked what he worried about and he said that he prayed he would hold out faithful to the end. If he worries maybe we should all give it some thought. Reading the B of M and Clinging to it's teachings is a sure way to stay close to the Lord and Elder Pearson believes that in the future it may be the only way strong enough to keep us safe.
1 Nephi 15:24 "whoso would hearken unto the word of god and hold fast unto it, they would never perish, neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness and lead them away to destruction."
He told about how he lost his cell phone four consecutive summers at Lake Powell and the fifth year he learned what it meant to "CLING" to something. (1 Nephi 8:24) We need that kind of raw determination in our love of the B of M and our dedication to feasting upon its words and living them to make it to the end safely.
We still don't have our belongings but learned that they are here and being checked out by customs. Hopefully in 3 days we'll get it all here. However, the Balli's stuff has taken 3 weeks to clear customs and they still don't have it. We'll see. patience is a virtue:)
