Week 58 - Spiritual Feast, Ditches & Prayers

SPIRITUAL FEAST - a receptive state of mind toward all spiritual good.

This past week has been a spiritual feast! We were blessed to hear from Elder & Sister Bednar, Elder & Sister Kearon (England), and Elder & Sister Gadoy (Brazil)... several times. It was truly a feast of spiritual goodness!

We were asked by our mission leaders, President & Sister Beeson, to read and study 6 talks previously given by Elder Bednar. By doing this, I recognized a couple of things. 

• Elder Bednar always invites the Holy Ghost to be present, to bless, edify and teach us as he is speaking and we are listening.  
• He generally defines the principle first, then gives guidance and counsel. 
• He also draws comparisons between principles and how they connect and support each other. (Ex: Testimony and Conversion)

I enjoyed seeing this pattern of his speaking and teaching style. I realized that my spirit really resonates with this method of instruction.

Rather than detail who said what, I just want to share some of my favorite take-aways from these experiences and what the spirit whispered to me as I was listening.

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Whenever you have upheaval in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants. 

In contrast to institutions that want us to know something, the Gospel of Jesus Christ wants us to become something. 

In 1964 there were 13 temples. We now have 335 temples in operation, announced or under construction! 

The work of the Lord will grow and prosper, but Satan will rage to thwart the progress. There will be great opposition. We need your help to prepare the world for more temples. 

One of our greatest gifts is the Covenant Connection we have with the Father and the Son. 

Our Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan for us. Jesus Christ atoned for us and is our Savior and Redeemer. These are the truths that matter most. 

Don't pray for what YOU want. Pray to know what GOD wants for YOU!

A testimony is not an exortation or story-telling moment. Make simple, clear, short statements of truth. It is the role of the Holy Ghost to testify of truth. Bear witness, bear pure testimony.

Strive to be worthy to receive spiritual gifts. We receive spiritual gifts when our desire is to use these gifts to bless someone else.

Make a solid commitment to do a little better each day. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about change. Stop worrying so much! Just be good and do good and go forth! You are that you might have joy!

Sure loved being in the presence of 2 apostles and their wives and other amazing leaders. Here is a little newsroom blip from this week...

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DITCHES

All this goodness reminds me how fast we can get derailed by the advesary! Don't let him win! Fight your way back to the light! 

And stay out of the DITCH... like this poor guy across the street from our apartment. 

Several logs, a small hydraulic jack and 4 hours later, the big dump truck was back in action. 

PRAYERS

Romans 1:9

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Sending lots of love from Ghana! 💖💛💚