We taught Ashton and Trent on the same day this week. It was so cool
to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, first to Trent and then to
Ashton. Trent is doing very well in the new member lessons. He knows
most the material. We had a fun lesson with him because at the last
lesson we had with him, we gave him a pamphlet and told him he was
teaching us. Along with me and Elder Bird, Tyler Wilkes, a young man
that got home from his mission a few days ago, sat in on the lesson
with us. We would ask Trent questions as if we were investigators and
he would answer them. When he didn't know the answer, he would "tag"
one of us and we would answer the question. He learned a lot, and I
learned stuff too! It was very funny sometimes as we pretended to be
our separate investigator characters.
We taught Ashton twice this week! The Gospel of Jesus Christ and then
the law of Chastity. The first time we taught Ashton, she had a lot of
good input and agreed with everything, as usual. She just kept saying,
"it makes sense." How cool it is to see someone have their questions
answered through the truthfulness of the gospel. I love having members
present, like there were in this lesson, because there testimonies are
so beautiful. It was amazing to hear personal conversion stories and
pure simple doctrine. Members are SO IMPORTANT. Ashton agreed to come
to church with us again, and the Christmas devotional. She liked them
both. We also arranged to teach her the Law of Chastity after the
devotional.
The topic of creation has continuously come up this week. The creation
of this beautiful world, the creation of us and our bodies, and our
ability and gift to create. God has given us many gifts, desires and
abilities, but one of the deepest desires of our hearts is to create.
How special this is!
I love nature. LOVE it. The beauty of this world constantly astounds
me, even out here in Nowhere, Wyoming. This last week, we got some
beautiful snow. I love sitting by the window as I eat breakfast so I
can look at the clean, glinting blanket of snow. A fresh snowfall
reminds me of the future millennium, when the earth will be cleansed.
On a particular morning, our yard was more beautiful than I could
handle, so I ran out with my camera and took a million pictures. My
favorites are included.
Another amazing event with the beauty of God's creations happened
later in the week. We were out in the country talking to Brother
Pithan about who we would go visit when he came out with us this next
week. Brother Pithan visits all the "outlaws" in the ward and in his
constant helpfulness, he's offered to take us around to visit them
next week. After our meeting, we were headed home in the dark and I
looked up at the sky. In my entire life, I have not seen the stars
like this. They were EVERYWHERE. I felt as if I could reach out and
touch them because of the brightness and depth. The Milky Way seemed
like a glowing cloud stretched across the sky, a backdrop to millions
of stars. We stopped the car, turned off the lights and just stared
for a minute. How incredible are God's creations, including us.
The biggest event that helped me to see the beauty of God's creations
was the opportunity to teach the Law of Chastity to Ashton Sunday
night. Trent came and taught with us. He is a good teacher and we
really want him to serve a mission! Throughout our lessons with
Ashton, the significance and sacredness of our bodies has continuously
been brought up. God gave us these bodies so that we could progress
and grow forever. He created the world, all animals therein, and us.
He made us in his image, the God of all. He gave us the desire to
create. We taught that, He gave us the beautiful power to create life
and that, in it's sacredness, we must learn to use it the way he has
asked us to. We were also able to teach a little bit about the temple
and explain that going through and being sealed in the temple is the
ultimate goal. Being with your family forever is God's plan for us. We
can see Heavenly Father and our Savior again, and live in their
presence for eternity, with our families! How could there be any
greater reward?
Wow, this is a long one! I love you all very much, keep us and our
investigators in your prayers. We need them! I know this gospel is
true and I know that we must constantly strive to be better. It's
hard, but so worth it.
Love,
Elder Thomas
Our Beautiful Backyard
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