Don't Doubt, Be Positive, Take Action

Letter dated July 15, 2009

If you're not smiling, you should be, because the Lord knows and loves you! Share a smile with everyone you pass, and you'll be amazed at the incredible results- a simple smile goes a longgggggg way! :)

Right now we have four people who are on their way to being baptized! :) Yay for the Gospel and how it completely changes lives! The first is E- we've been working on her for awhile, trying to get her birth certificate so we can get her a passport and married first- long process. She'll be baptized and confirmed A.S.A.P (as soon as we can get the papers and everything processed)- we have her set for August. Also, we've been teaching a mother and son, and they have prayed about it and want to be baptized- we're helping them set a date and they're thinking in August as well! :) We also have O who's mom is a member and he wants to be baptized on his birthday- in August! But he wants it to be a surprise for his mom and family and surprise them on the day of his baptism :) - so we're keeping it on the low-key. WE'RE SO HAPPY!!!!It's amazing to me as long as you work hard, love the Lord, and do all that you can to serve Him, He will bless you and your efforts immensely. Doing this 40 day fast has really been such an incredible blessing and we know that the Lord is pouring blessings out upon those He's prepared for us to teach, and that He's helping to make us more effective servants in the building up of His kingdom here on the earth. Sacrifice brings about great blessings- in every aspect of our lives- whether you're a missionary or not.

The other morning I was studying in 1 Nephi Chapter 16. In this chapter it explains that Lehi and his family are traveling in the wilderness to find the promised land. Because this family had been obedient to the commandments of the Lord, they were receiving great blessings as a whole. The Lord blessed them by sending them the Liahona, a guide and compass for them to show them in which direction to travel as they were in the wilderness. But the Liahona only guided them in the right direction and the more fertile parts of the land if they were faithful and diligent. During their travels, Nephi (the son of Lehi) went with his brothers out hunting to obtain food for their families. As he did so, he broke his bow and his brothers were extremely angry with him, and all they could do was complain and murmur and focus on the negative. They kept dwelling on their hard situation and felt sorry for themselves, and continued to murmur against their brother Nephi and the Lord. As a result, they weren't receiving blessings and couldn't obtain any food. Of course, Nephi is frustrated as well, and is also receiving a lot of "heat" from his family. But he decides to pick himself out of this rut and face this opposition with a good attitude. Instead of focusing on how bad it was or how diffucult the situation was, Nephi decided to do something about it. He didn't lose hope or faith, and he took action. DON'T DOUBT- BE POSITIVE- AND TAKE ACTION! He was a problem solver and constructed a bow on his own, and had his father pray to the Lord to know where to go to get food. The Lord blessed him and He will bless us as well, according to our desires and our faith. He loves us.