This last week was JAMPACKED!
Independence day yesterday was awesome, we went fishing with my old companion Elder Horsley who is just one area south of us and had a great time. Then we had lunch with a great family and celebrated her birthday with pizza, then we went and spent essentially the rest of our very short preparation day on post at the festivities! They had all sorts of things set up for the service members and their families, it was essentially a big fair ground with petting zoos and dog shows and food and rides and a billion different bouncy houses and even a small trials bike arena sponsored by Red Bull and also a rock band concert set up on the south end. Awesome! In the evening we got to enjoy the epic and patriotic fireworks show surrounded by some ward members, and a LOT of Unites States soldiers in uniform. That was a unique experience. The patriotism was tangible in the air. I felt a pretty deep love for this country and those who sacrificed for our liberties, and for the hand of God in providing us this remarkable promised land. President Loveland shared some awesome sentiments in his email yesterday, my favorite was this quote he shared:
“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world of commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” (Jerreld L. Newquist, comp., Prophets, Principles and National Survival, Salt Lake City: Publishers Press, 1967, p. 60.)
We attended the temple last week. I love the temple more than any other place on earth. I took my mind and lifted it above the clouds, above my problems, above the worrisome ground. That's my favorite part of what the temple does for me. I remembered my covenants and endowments of power and promise. We got to do some sealings and that was a beautiful experience. I wish I had more time to write about it. I plan to center the remainder of my life around the temple, without it I could not endure.
Last item of major note, this week is transfers week!!! Where am I going you might ask?? ....No idea yet! President Loveland felt inspired to move our transfer calls from the Saturday before transfers to the TUESDAY before. That's today. So I find out tonight whether I stay or go tonight. I might have a lot of packing to do tomorrow haha. Hope I stay though, I really do! His will be done, if the Lord needs to move me then I'm excited and ready. I actually love transfers haha. Shakes my world up.
Love you all! I testify of the reality of Jesus Christ. He has the power to deliver you, if you can find within yourself to trust Him. Remember that everything you experience is a small small piece of your eternity, and that its all swallowed up in the atonement of the Holy One of Israel. Lift your eyes and be glad! Stop watching your feet and turn your face to heaven!
Elder T. Hakes
No comments:
Post a Comment