I could say "It begins..."
Hello to all,
It appears that another summer has come and gone. I know that it may not appear that way with the amount of heat we are experiencing, but it is true. The school year is officially starting for all that are enrolled. Thus, I renew my efforts to communicate with family far and wide.
It is a new school year, but I don't think that I can say it is the beginning. It is just the starting of a new phase, another learning experience, another block layed upon the foundation. I guess this weeks reading for Sunday School has me thinking. Maybe some of you have already had this lesson, so I ask that you just read and enjoy.
This morning, it was my prevlidge to find someone to give the opening and closing prayers for Sacrament Meeting. I know that I have had this opportunity before, but for some reason I am struggling with it this time around. But I digress, that is not the topic of my writing.
Anyway, this morning I stood in the back of the chapel and looked for canidates to offer the prayer. My attention was drawn to a relatively new brother in our ward. He has lived in our area for a number of year, but his family was just recently baptized with in the past 12 months. This was a first for him.
When I approached him, he struggled. I could see the wheels turning in his head. He really did not want to accept the offer, but did not know how to say, "No". He was concerned that he wouldnto do it correctly. I explained that there was no right or wrong way to say a prayer. As long as he started by addressing our Father in Heaven and ending in the name of Jesus Christ, he would be fine. I suggested things he could pray for and be thankful for. I told him that I had faith in him, the Lord had faith in him, and that now it was time to exercise his faith. He accepted.
The prayer he offered was simple, sweet, and sincere. It was not long. It was not wordy. It was the prayer of a child. A son of God, who, for the first time, outside the comforts of his home, praying for the body of brothers and sisters. He did it with the faith of a child. I learned from him today.
At the dinner table, we talked about our experiences in church. Many were touched by the simplicity of his prayer and how cool it was that he was growing in faith. Comments were made about how others in the congregation were not as open or accepting of his offering. This is heart wrenching. How sad must our Father feel. I hope that none of it ever reaches the ears of this good brother or his family.
We also sustained and had the opportunity to participate in the ordination of another brother to the Aaronic Priesthood. It was interesting to watch the eyes of many as the Bishop called this brother forward and presented him before the ward. Many know him as the father of 5, a husband and teaching assistant in the primary. But today, he was being give the priesthood of God. What a special opportunity. Next week, he will exercise that priesthood when he baptizes one of his daughters.
After the block meeting, we gathered with his brother and his family to witness and participate in the ordination. Tall Man was invited to stand in the circle with us. A Priest, welcoming another into the brotherhood of the priesthood.
My heart is full of joy as I have witnessed these things today. My family has been blessed. We have witnessed increase, built unity, and been strengthened in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that you are able to experience the same. Think about these events and you read this weeks Sunday School lesson or remember last weeks.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-11
Look for ways to apply the other teaching of this lesson in your own lives.
I know Christ lives. He is my Savior. I a grateful for the power of redemption that come through him. I am thankful for the witness I have recieved this day. I pray that you may have the same. You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
It appears that another summer has come and gone. I know that it may not appear that way with the amount of heat we are experiencing, but it is true. The school year is officially starting for all that are enrolled. Thus, I renew my efforts to communicate with family far and wide.
It is a new school year, but I don't think that I can say it is the beginning. It is just the starting of a new phase, another learning experience, another block layed upon the foundation. I guess this weeks reading for Sunday School has me thinking. Maybe some of you have already had this lesson, so I ask that you just read and enjoy.
This morning, it was my prevlidge to find someone to give the opening and closing prayers for Sacrament Meeting. I know that I have had this opportunity before, but for some reason I am struggling with it this time around. But I digress, that is not the topic of my writing.
Anyway, this morning I stood in the back of the chapel and looked for canidates to offer the prayer. My attention was drawn to a relatively new brother in our ward. He has lived in our area for a number of year, but his family was just recently baptized with in the past 12 months. This was a first for him.
When I approached him, he struggled. I could see the wheels turning in his head. He really did not want to accept the offer, but did not know how to say, "No". He was concerned that he wouldnto do it correctly. I explained that there was no right or wrong way to say a prayer. As long as he started by addressing our Father in Heaven and ending in the name of Jesus Christ, he would be fine. I suggested things he could pray for and be thankful for. I told him that I had faith in him, the Lord had faith in him, and that now it was time to exercise his faith. He accepted.
The prayer he offered was simple, sweet, and sincere. It was not long. It was not wordy. It was the prayer of a child. A son of God, who, for the first time, outside the comforts of his home, praying for the body of brothers and sisters. He did it with the faith of a child. I learned from him today.
At the dinner table, we talked about our experiences in church. Many were touched by the simplicity of his prayer and how cool it was that he was growing in faith. Comments were made about how others in the congregation were not as open or accepting of his offering. This is heart wrenching. How sad must our Father feel. I hope that none of it ever reaches the ears of this good brother or his family.
We also sustained and had the opportunity to participate in the ordination of another brother to the Aaronic Priesthood. It was interesting to watch the eyes of many as the Bishop called this brother forward and presented him before the ward. Many know him as the father of 5, a husband and teaching assistant in the primary. But today, he was being give the priesthood of God. What a special opportunity. Next week, he will exercise that priesthood when he baptizes one of his daughters.
After the block meeting, we gathered with his brother and his family to witness and participate in the ordination. Tall Man was invited to stand in the circle with us. A Priest, welcoming another into the brotherhood of the priesthood.
My heart is full of joy as I have witnessed these things today. My family has been blessed. We have witnessed increase, built unity, and been strengthened in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that you are able to experience the same. Think about these events and you read this weeks Sunday School lesson or remember last weeks.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-11
Look for ways to apply the other teaching of this lesson in your own lives.
I know Christ lives. He is my Savior. I a grateful for the power of redemption that come through him. I am thankful for the witness I have recieved this day. I pray that you may have the same. You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
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