This week was pretty normal, we worked hard to teach those we see regularly and all is well. As Sister Prayitno will agree, I am already into the Christmas Spirit. Tomorrow is the 2 month countdown, I've decided. I'm still a little bit sick so we haven't gone out too much, but that's okay, life is good in the Indonesian hood.
These past few weeks I have been studying and reflecting upon the covenants, or promises, we make upon baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has brought me many blessings to have made a covenant with God to follow Christ, but never have I fully understood what I really promised when I was baptized. I wish to share what I have learned these past few days and throughout my mission. In the sacrament prayer, we learn of the main purpose of our baptismal covenant: always remember Him (Jesus Christ), take His name upon us, and to always keep His commandments. But what does that mean? We take the sacrament every week and hear these same things every time we partake of the bread and water. Yet do we fully understand and live those three very important things? Let's take a look at each promise. ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM: We promise that we will remember our Savior at all times, in all things, in all places. We cannot be a 'Sunday Christian' and leave all those things we profess to be at the door of the church, but must actively search Christ in every aspect of our lives so that we may be guided in all things, so that we may have that hope, peace, and strength that God promises to those that follow Him. Are we seeking Christ in everything we do, every single day? TAKE HIS NAME UPON US: This one is a little trickier than the first, and something I didn't quite understand until I came on my mission. To take Christ's name upon ourselves literally means to do everything we do in the name of the Savior, or in other words every action and thought is a reflection of Jesus Christ. From personal experience know that this is a lot harder than it sounds. But God does not forsake us, He will cheer us on and strengthen us as we strive to be true disciples of His Beloved Son. We will never be perfect in this life, but that doesn't mean we don't keep trying. To say that we take Christ's name upon ourselves means we will give our all to represent Him and reflect His life in our own. It also means we will face those same challenges He faced, such as criticism, loneliness, and persecution. But we do not need to be alone, He will be by our side every step of the way. Are we reflection Christ in everything we do? Are we truly His disciples? KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: From every prophet, Adam until this day, the principle of obedience has been preached. Why? Why does God even care if we go or don't go to church every week or be honest or serve others? What I've found is that God loves us more than we can ever know, He is our Father and we are His children, and that relationship is very much the same as a parent and child on earth. Every child complains of the responsibilities and rules placed upon him. Why do they have to do their homework, why do they have to go to bed early, why must they babysit their younger siblings while their parents are out? The reasoning is the same, because the parents love their children, and know that if their little ones will obey, they will grow to be amazing people that are a blessing to their community. They know these rules will keep them safe and will help them reach their potential. The same is with the commandments, only on a much larger and grander scale. God knows that through the commands He gives, He allows us to grow into what He intends each of us to be. You may have found it takes a little bit of sacrifice to follow the commandments. From a talk given in the MTC I learned that God will never be in debt to you. Meaning, His blessings will always be of more value than any sacrifice you give. As a missionary, I have learned time and time again, sacrifice and obedience brings miracles. We just have to take that leap of faith first and then we will truly fly. Follow Alma's advice: Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way...The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever (Alma 37:46). We already know the way and we know why we must follow God's commandments. Let us live each day without fear, laziness, or hopelessness in living His plan for us. He has promised repeatedly that He will bless us IF we obey, so let us obey. Love you all! Sister Stringham
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This week was pretty great. We had it themed "Minggu Nabi" or Prophet Week, since we were preparing for General Conference. We were focusing every lesson on prophets and what their role is in our lives and why we need one right now. It didn't go quite as well as we planned but it still got us excited for General Conference. By the end of the week I was feeling pretty stressed, because not one person said that they were going to come to conference. I know that God still speaks to us and I know He still calls a prophet in these days, and it brings me much peace and understanding to know this. I just wanted to help someone feel this amazing feeling too. But lesson after lesson we were rejected. By Conference, we prayed that just someone, anyone, even a less active member would just come to conference, but Saturday came and went, and nobody came. The Sunday morning session ended and no sign of an investigator. Finally the Sunday afternoon session started. We were hoping and praying so hard. But nobody was there. Before it had started we had called one of our investigators and she said that she was going to come but she would be late, because the afternoon session was starting 30 minutes before schedule. I was worrying because she might not be able to get to the church by the time conference ended. During the Congregational hymn in the middle of the session, we went out to see if she had come yet, no sign. But, we found one of our former investigators sitting in one of the back rows of the chapel! Wow! But wait, there's more! As the went out at the end of the conference to meet this investigator, we found 2 other former investigators and the one current investigator coming out of the church as well! Miracles do happen! God sometimes doesn't answer our prayers in the ways that we expect, but He always hears our prayers and will answer them, sometimes just not in the way we want or expect. God will never leave us alone.
See you next week! Sister Stringham |
AuthorHOLLEY STRINGHAM: Salt Lake City, born and raised; returned missionary from the Indonesia Jakarta Mission.; a simple folk aimed on changing the world Archives
October 2017
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