Choose Obedience

For a couple months now I have been asking Elder Scott to send me a spiritual thought for this blog. Due to the business of his schedule and the short periods of time he has devoted to writing, it's been hard for him to find a moment to complete this request, but this week he sent me a gem. It comes from For the Strength of Youth  pamphlet which he highly suggests everyone read because as he put it, it’s definitely not just for youth 

I really enjoy the final paragraph out of the Agency and Accountability section, “You are also responsible for developing the talents and abilities Heavenly Father has given you. You are accountable to Him for what you do with your talents and how you spend your time. Choose to do many good things of your own free will.” 

Heavenly Father gives all of us our own unique talents. Normally they are things that we thoroughly enjoy doing as well, but we are the ones responsible for growing these talents. Are we doing what we need to do to accomplish this or, are we wasting time on things solely of worldly importance: Netflix? Facebook? Instagram? Snapchat? WhatsApp? I can honestly say without a doubt that before my mission I was. I wasted way too much time doing things that are only of importance in this life (except for WhatsApp, haha. That’s something only big down here, but everything else I definitely was part of.) Instead we need to be using this time to develop our talents and abilities that God has bestowed upon us. Because these talents are not just of importance here in this life, but will be used for eternities. This life is the time Heavenly Father has granted unto us to prepare for immortality and eternal life. It’s an incredibly short time. Now is the time we need to spend diligently learning and growing these God sent gifts because we will need them forever. 

So, are we doing what we need to do to accomplish this? Or, are we wasting our time following the sneaky temptations of the Devil? He doesn’t want us to be prepared. He wants us to waste the small time we have to prepare because he doesn’t want our happiness. 

I want to end on a quote found in the paragraph above, “Righteous choices lead to lasting happiness and eternal life. Remember, true freedom comes from using your agency to choose obedience; loss of freedom comes from choosing disobedience.” 

I can testify that these things are true. True freedom comes from obedience to the commandments and guidance given by our Heavenly Father. When we follow His laws instead of following the ways of the world, then we’ll receive true, lasting happiness and be prepared for immortality and receive eternal life. 

I want to share these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I love this missionary so much! I love his testimony, his faith, his insight, and his devotion. What a gift and blessing he is to me and so many others. 

A few more photos from one of his P-day's in Salaverry and the day they were able to attend the Trujillo Temple. 

Futbol fun in Salaverry

Elder Scott with Elder Salazar

Picture perfect

Elder Scott and
Elder Moran

Selfie at the temple

Elder Scott

Elder Moran

The angel Moroni statue

Elder Scott

Elder Moran

Birthday's, and temples, and babies, oh my!

From the sounds of it, Elder Scott had another amazing week in Perú, the highlight of which was the opportunity to attend the temple, and to make it even more special, his temple day happened to fall on his dad and my 20th wedding anniversary. How sweet it is knowing he was thinking of us when he was in one of the most sacred and special places on earth.  

In his journal entry from that day he had this to say, "Happy 20^th wedding anniversary mom & dad!! I spent it in a way that I could think of no better, at the Trujillo temple. It was the first time we’ve been able to go since November and it was absolutely amazing. I had a spectacular time! The session started at 8:30 so Elder Moran and I got there about 7:20 or so to just be on the grounds and take a few pictures. It was lovely. The Whitney’s accompanied our zone, too, and it was a truly wonderful experience. The spirit was once again so incredibly strong. 

I read Moroni 10 in the Celestial Room today. It was magnificent. I truly felt a wonderful and strong spirit today. The Trujillo temple is just so pretty as well. Elder Moran was going around and smelling every flower, haha. 

Hermana Rosa Briones and Hermano Castro from Palermo were both working in the temple this morning so it was fun to get to say hello to them both. Then in the Distribution Center, Hermana Carmen Leon was working today from Palermo so I got to see her, too! Super cool."  

After completing their temple session, the missionaries were able to go to the Distribution Center and do a little shopping. It really was an impactful, spiritually filled morning for all of them, and a blessing they were able to have such a special day together in a holy House of the Lord.

Later in the week, another of Elder Scott's favorite things happened when he was able to hold an infant baby (this is typically not allowed while you're a missionary for safety reasons) but this sweet infant was suffering from pneumonia and the parents requested the missionaries come to the hospital and give him a blessing which means Elder Scott was allowed to hold the baby in his arms as a special blessing/prayer for health was being said. What a wondrous gift our Father in Heaven has given us by allowing the power and authority of the Priesthood to be restored to the earth to be used on His behalf by worthy priesthood holders. I am beyond grateful my husband and sons have all been given this gift and that we can all benefit from the priesthood. 

With a slower internet connection again this week, I don't have any new photos of the temple or Easter, but quite a few additional birthday celebration photos came through before email time ran out so here are a few new ones to enjoy. 

As always, thank you for your continued love and support of Elder Scott and all the missionaries serving around the world. 

Looks like Sam the Flamingo
got first dibs on the coconut cake

Sam the Flamingo continues in his world
travels and first-class treatment.

I love this photo because it showcases
Elder Scott's personality perfectly.

On an exchange with Elder Mich

Exchange day with Elder Mich

Happy Birthday with Sam the Flamingo

Such a wonderful group of people.
Thank you for your love.

He is loved and taken care of by the
best of the best.

Hahahaha! Edler Moran

Right before (or after) the infamous birthday egging, lol.

Incredible doesn't begin to describe how wonderful
this family has been. They send me great photos, little
updates, and such loving messages about my sweet missionary.

Present opening time.
If you guessed it is a tie
you would be CORRECT.

Ties, ties, and more ties!! Anyone
who knows Kyler, knows this is
probably his favorite clothing.

Always the happy Elder

I bought this shirt for him because of the
meaning behind the word. (1) His SMILE is
a fairly constant feature on his face and
(2) it stands for "Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal"
which is a great reminder for all.

Do you get this excited about socks???
It was the ONLY present request he had.

The BEFORE.....

and AFTER photo

I never knew Girl Scout cookies could
be this impactful, hahaha!

Would you like a side of eggs with your cake?

What a whirlwind of a month already. First there was the amazing weekend encompassing Conference, and the following weekend Elder Scott got to celebrate his 19th birthday in Perú. In his words, "I’m officially 19!!! And man, was it such a fun-filled, crazy day! I honestly had a complete blast....I wasn’t really expecting too much, but this was such an unexpectedly amazing day and wonderful way to celebrate turning 19." 

Elder Scott's birthday fell on a Sunday, and was jam-packed from dawn until dusk. His first "Happy Birthday" came during morning prayers, and the last came right before he closed his eyes late that evening. So many people spoiled him and made sure he felt loved in his home away from home. I'm telling you, the Peruvian people and missionaries he serves with are the absolute best, and the charity they display is something I am going to strive to emulate. Elder Scott mentioned how everyone at church somehow found out it was his birthday and no one would pass by him without a Feliz Cumpleaños being said. That's the kind of love and compassion he's surrounded by on a daily basis.

What a fun, memorable day he had.

  

A wonderful birthday lunch
with Elder Moran and Sam.

Sam continues joining in on
all the world travels.

Hermana Moraima and Hermana Patty
made this delicious coconut cake complete
with candles so he could make a wish.

Elder Moran was an official photographer

In some areas of Perú there is a birthday tradition of having eggs smashed on your head followed by a sprinkling of flour. Of course Elder Scott didn't escape this fun tradition that is sure to become a favorite memory for years to come. 

While everyone was busy eating a slice of pizza, Hermana Ana started to nonchalantly film the group. While she did this, Elder Rocovitz carefully snuck an egg behind Kyler's head, and then proceeded to smash it on his head when he knew Elder Scott wasn't expecting it. The reaction was hilarious! Then, to top it off, while Kyler was waiting for a camera to be found to take photos of his eggy head, Hermana Ana got him a second time with flour. Below are the funny results, and now worries, Elder Scott made sure he finished that slice of pizza after he washed his hands and rinsed his hair a little bit. Nothing stops the appetite of a hungry missionary, lol. 

Hermana Ana and Elder Rocovitz made sure this
birthday was one for the memory books.

A little egg....a little flour...add some sugar and
you've got the makings of a great cake.

Here's a few additional highlights leading up to 

Elder Scott's special day.

El Inka Envios came through BIG time and made sure
this package arrived in time for Elder Scott's birthday
and Easter. HUGE kuddos to them for superior service
in the midst of the terrible floods and mudslides.

Birthday goodies!  Lots and lots of cookies!!
And socks, and shirts, and a few other
random necessities.

He loved the cards, especially the one
signed by a bunch of his
Orange Lake Publix family

Missionaries know how to work hard AND have fun!!

April has already proven to be a great month, and seems it's only going to get better. This week he has a zone meeting and a temple trip planned, so the incredible month continues.