A Change of Heart

What a difference a week makes, and what a difference prayer makes. We have all been praying for Ty and the frustrating circumstances he is trying to do missionary work under. The Lord has heard and answered our prayers. I could see it on his face the minute we started our phone call. His missionary glow had returned - he had once again caught the vision! He shared that as he visited with different members this week he began realizing that they too needed service and blessings from the missionaries. He shared that many of them had confided that they were struggling staying on track spiritually since attending church has not been an option. He and his companions are now seeking to strengthen the members in their "Come Follow Me" studies, and in any other way they can. Elder Milne has realized that whether we are already a member of Christ's church or if we are a stranger on the street, we all need to come unto Christ. I shared with Ty that his number one responsibility as a missionary is to bring souls to Christ - whether it be his, his companions', the members' or anyone they meet. If this is his goal, the Lord will take care of the rest. Elder Milne shared how he had enjoyed spending time doing service projects, strengthening the members, and even teaching a few discussions this week. They do have one lady who has committed to being baptized, so they are super excited to help get ready for that. She has set a date for August 26th. She fed the missionaries the other night - soup like from Olive Garden, so Elder Milne was in Heaven.

Letter from Home:

Dear Elder Milne!

How's my favorite missionary doing today? I hope you are doing well and that you are happy! I am here in New Mexico for this week, and I am enjoying my time here with dad and Buster. Dad and I attended Sacrament Meeting yesterday with Bishop Caton and a few members of his ward. A member of the stake presidency spoke for a few minutes and then Bishop Caton spoke. It was so wonderful to sit in a sacrament meeting and partake of the sacrament while reflecting upon the significance of the Sacrament and how vital Jesus Christ is in our lives. It is so important to always remember Him so that His Spirit will always be with us. It is equally as important to remember His atoning sacrifice and the price He paid so we can successfully navigate through this mortal existence and return to our Heavenly Parents. I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and all that he has done for me. He has not only made it possible to be cleansed from my many sins and to be strengthened in my weaknesses, but to also be enabled to become my very best self - to become all that my Heavenly Father created me to be.

One thing that really stood out during the meeting yesterday was that "Change is inevitable, but misery is a choice." There are a lot of changes going on for all of us right now, especially due to this stupid virus, but, how we respond to it, and all the changes surrounding it, is a choice. We can choose misery, or we can choose to learn and grow from it. One of the greatest gifts our Heavenly Father has given us is the gift of agency or our freedom to choose. Regardless of what life hands to us, we still have that power to choose how we will respond to it and if we will choose to includue Christ in the details of our lives. Happiness, just like misery, is a choice. For me, I am choosing happiness - I am choosing Christ. When we choose Christ, we also choose peace. Peace can be our constant companion when we choose Christ to help us through whatever trials may come our way. Most often, our Heavenly Father will not remove the obstacles causing us pain and frustration, because there is something to be gained or learned from this adversity, however, as we choose to include Christ in our day to day life, we will have peace, comfort, strength, and guidance through even the darkest of times. I was so happy to hear you relate to me how you had experienced this very same thing recently. I am so proud of you and your decision to see things in a better light and to stay the course. Our perceptions are powerful, but what is even more powerful is we have the ability to change our perceptions! When we rely upon our Savior and the Holy Ghost, our perceptions can become Their perceptions, and we are able to see adversity for what it really is, and we are able to more clearly see the love as well as the plan our Heavenly Father has for us. Keep up the good work Ty! Allow your perceptions to be shaped by the Savior and His love for you and all His children.

I forgot to grab your mitt before I left for New Mexico. I am so sorry. As soon as I get back next Monday, I will find it and put it in the mail. Is there anything else you can think of that you need or want? Also, Mike Tornow texted dad and me yesterday and told us he had met an older couple that was on their way to serve in the office of your mission - Elder and Sister Hobley. He told them to look for you! I think they are going to be over the finances and apartments in your mission.

Take care of yourself Ty, and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers every day! And always remember, your primary purpose as a missionary is to bring souls to Christ, whether it is your own soul, your companions soul, the ward members' souls, and the stranger on the street. Your Heavenly Father has blessed you with some amazing gifts to do this. Recognize these gifts and use them in the way He intended you to. Love you to the moon and back!

Mom

Letter from Elder Milne:

Mom, I needed this more than you know! love you so so much and love these letters. I will look for Elder and Sister Hobley. Keep theses coming - have an amazing week!

This week was actually a really great week - with exception of being stung by hornets as we completed a service project LOL! We met with more members this week. One even knew dad. She went to Pine View High School and is three years younger than dad. She remembers dad. We also have been able to meet with the lady that wants to be baptized on the 26th of August. She is doing really well, and we have also been teaching another lady that is interested in learning more. Her husband is a less-active member. He doesn't really want anything to do with the church, but she is progressing well. We also had an interesting experience happen the other day while we were at the stake center. The doors were locked while we were doing some family history work inside. We heard a knock on the door so we answered it. It was a girl, probably around the age of 20, and she asked if we were the missionaries. She recognized our car out front. We told her yes, and she was so happy. She said she was taking the lessons from some missionaries awhile back, but she moved to Missouri and lost track of them. She has now returned to California and wants to continue with the lessons. We reviewed the first discussion with her and she was so interested. The only bad thing for us if we may have to turn her over to the single adult ward missionaries, but oh well, it was still a cool experience. I have really noticed how God has changed my heart this week, and I am able to see His tender mercies and miracles in my life each day. I do recognize that everyone needs the Savior, so I will continue to do my best to uplift those around me. I have been very happy this week, even when I was stung by the hornets - I was like, "this is no big deal." I think I had for sting marks - LOL! Have a great week mom!