The Lord has promised, “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious” (D&C 78:19). While expressing gratitude a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness fills my heart.. As I cultivate a grateful attitude this thanksgiving, I want to share what I'm most thankful for, my family.
Being apart of my family is a great blessing! Although we are not perfect and have our rough edges, I love 'em! We always have fun! I'm so appreciative for my younger brothers, all of them. Being the oldest brother I hope that I can be a light to them, a role model, and a friend. It takes effort to exercise gratitude and have an optimistic approach to life. Although, I can not be there all the time to guide and teach my brothers I have learned that the best way to be an example or role model is to straiten your own life out first.
You can only lift another up to where you are standing. I decided to raise the ground where I stood. Improve myself. I chose to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. I knew serving a mission would improve my life and others around me. While serving the Lord Jesus Christ I knew my light would shine before my family, that they may see my good works, and glorify out Father which is in heaven. (Mathew 5:16 with emphases) The Lord truly blesses me and my family.
Thomas S. Monson said, "My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."
I thank my Heavenly Father for His goodness to my family by acknowledging His hand in my life, thanking Him for all that He gives me, keeping His commandments, and serving others. I especially thank Him for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the Savior's great example, for His teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help, for His infinite Atonement. I live with gratitude in my heart because, of God's wonderful blessing, my family!
So grateful for my little brother Gabe. He is reading my mission call maybe one day I'll read his.
I am currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was called to the Rochester, New York mission (the cradle of the restoration) and reported to the Missionary Training Center on September 26th, 2012. I have been serving the Lord for one year or in "missionary language" the year mark is called hump day. (Don't ask. I didn't make it up) I want to dedicate this blog to all those who are preparing to serve a mission or still deciding to serve.
Serving a mission wasn't always in my "life plan". It was as if I was sitting on the fence with my decision. Should I stay and go to school or should I serve a two year mission for my church? I always knew deep down in my heart that serving a mission is the "right thing to do" and "serving would be a blessing." How can I know for a surety what direction to take? What did God want me to do? With unanswered questions and weighing out the possibilities I counseled with God in prayer. It wasn't just one prayer. I prayed many times. I wanted to know. I needed to know. My answer never came in a direct way. You may receive your answer in a direct way, but Elder Bednar describes the most common way we receive revelation from God. Elder Bednar teaches,
"The light comes gradually, much like the rising of the sun you can discern the increase of light on the horizon, but never all at once."
As I continued to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and worked toward putting my mission papers in I got my answer. A series of events just fell into place and I knew. My understanding of Gods will became illuminated with clarity. I experienced a sense of "knowing". I knew what I was supposed to do. I needed to dedicate two years of my life and serve the Lord. I finished the application process and submitted my mission papers.
Watch me open my mission call below
There are walls of faith you'll need to hurdle as you search for an answer from God. The biggest step was making the decision to go. Now I knew I was going. With full purpose of heart I could prepare to serve the Lord.
I'm currently a year into serving. I have received blessings I never thought I would. Perhaps
I would have made a decision sooner if I understood more fully the blessings associated with missionary service. I can’t list every blessing, there are so many blessings that I cannot number them, but I will share those that I have recognized and value most.
Abiding friendships
Memorable experiences
Developing love and understanding of people
Growth in testimony, faith, knowledge of the gospel
Constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
Leadership training
Forgiveness of sins
Peace of conscience
Joy
These blessing have not came easy. It has been hard, but it has been worth every drop of sweat. The best way to describe how serving a mission has felt is in the Prophet Joseph Smith's words. Joseph Smith said,
"I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priest-craft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women—all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty."
All the challenges, although hard at times, I have encountered while serving a mission in Rochester, New York have all been for my profit and learning. I'VE BEEN GIVEN SO MUCH!
President Spencer W. Kimball once said that “missionary work, like the tithing, will pour out blessings, as Malachi said, so many blessings that there will hardly be room enough to receive them
I know that missionary service requires sacrifice, but I also know that “sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven” (“Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27). I know the Lord will guide you as you seek His will, as I did. As you faithfully serve a full time mission, the blessings of the Lord will be poured out upon you. I don't know what the Lord has in store for you , but if you decide to serve blessings of both temporal and spiritual nature will grant you and your family joy in this life and in the eternities.
I thank my Heavenly Father for His goodness to my family by acknowledging His hand in my life, thanking Him for all that He gives me, keeping His commandments, and serving others. I especially thank Him for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the Savior's great example, for His teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help, for His infinite Atonement. I live with gratitude in my heart because, of God's wonderful blessing, my family!
