Strengthen Your Light

This magnificent photo was captured by Jim Harmer showing
the angel Moroni heralding towards the eclipsing sun at the
Meridian, Idaho LDS temple.

We had quite the event this past week when hundreds of thousands of people prepped and prepared for a brief view of a solar eclipse that was going to be seen across North America. People bought speciality glasses in mass so they could safely catch a glimpse of the moon as it passed in front of the sun obscuring our view of it. To prepare for the eclipse, people drove for hours hoping to get the best view of totality and watch that celestial phenomena happen in person. Here in Florida, our family decided to stay put in the comforts of our home, but loved viewing our 80-85% coverage. It was a unique experience to say the least, and as the event was happening I noticed my thoughts turned to the illuminating sun and the blanket of warmth it provides us with.  As the moon steadily progressed on it's course, more and more of the sun disappeared from view, blocking it's rays from steadily hitting the earth, and as that happened we felt a noticeable drop in temperature and a palpable grayness took over our landscape. 

In doctrinal terms we often refer to Christ as the "light of the world". In St. John 8:12 we read, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." When we allow the light of Christ to be blocked from our life, then darkness will replace it. But, we also know that where there is light, darkness must depart and there are ways we can push that darkness away. Some of the most basic, yet vital ways are getting on your knees and starting to pray, or opening up your scriptures and feasting upon the words found within. You can also look outward and think of a way you can serve another. Another way to push darkness out and allow light to once again take over is by watching or reading an uplifting talk. All of these actions invite light back into your life in quick, easy ways. 

I asked Elder Scott if he had any thoughts about the light of Christ, and he sent back an instant response saying he too had been reflecting on that topic this week, "The light of Christ is a powerful tool that everyone has been given. Through the Spirit we are able to teach people thanks to the light of Christ. Everyone has it in them, and it helps them to realize the truths we teach are familiar because we learned about them in the premortal existence. The light of Christ is something we can always share with others as well through small, simple deeds like acts of service, sharing a smile, holding a door open, or even just saying hello as you pass by. The light of Christ is a light of pure goodness and love. We should always strive to strengthen this light."

TIME FOR TRANSFERS

Lots of heartfelt goodbye's for Elder Chiza as he got ready to leave for Huaraz.

Photo Credit goes to President and Sister Rios for the following photos.

Elder Scott didn't get any with his new companion, ELDER CRUZ before p-day so I hope they don't mind me using some of theirs.

Training to be TRAINERS

Reunited with Elder Daza for the day.

ELDER SCOTT with his greenie, ELDER CRUZ

All the new missionaries in the field along with their trainers

The ONLY photo Elder Scott got with his new companion. As they were emailing family they realized they hadn't taken any so this was an 

in-the-moment instant

The Blessings of a Mission

A few weeks ago I was called as my ward's early morning seminary teacher, and I have to admit it has taken virtually all of my free time, including the time I was using to update the blog on a more regular basis, but miracle of miracles, today I finished my lesson prep fairly fast, had time to really enjoy my p-day conversation with Elder Scott, and even have time to finish a new post. The Lord is truly blessing my entire family at this time. 

This past week Elder Scott attended a multizone conference where Elder Godoy, a newly called General Authority Seventy for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,was one of the speakers. His talk was about the importance of serving a mission. Here are a few highlights that really stuck out in Elder Scott's mind.What a powerful speaker that must have been, and it was surrounded by other equally amazing remarks.  "Sometimes the biggest reasons we can think of to NOT serve a mission are actually the best reasons TO serve a mission." Here are 4 of the most common reasons people choose not to serve and reasons why to reconsider. 

"The first is they don't want to leave their studies or jobs. But, really the mission field is the BEST place to learn different attributes that are successful key components to studies and jobs. For example, on your mission you learn how to plan, how to manage time, how to talk to people, and how to lead. These are just a small handful of examples that help pave the way to successful studies and jobs. 

The second is the novia/novio (girlfriend/boyfriend. Elder Scott is starting to mix his Spanish and English more and more when he writes home, haha) But, there is in fact NO BETTER preparation for marriage than in the mission field learning household responsibilities and being with a constant companion. It is the best place to prepare for your future marriage. 

Third, you worry about taking care of your family, but once again, there is not a better place to protect your family than in the mission field. In D&C 118:3 we read about Heavenly Father's promise to watch over and protect our families as we devote our time to missionary work. Heavenly Father never breaks a promise, and your families will be strengthened by your willingness to serve. 

Then fourth, sometimes they feel insufficient, but there is absolutely no reason to feel that way because we are given a sacred authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ, and it is an authority unmatched by any other. Therefore there is zero reason to feel insufficient.

So as we can all see, some of the reasons to not serve a mission really are the best reasons to serve a mission."

What a powerful talk that must have been, and it was surrounded by other equally amazing remarks by church leaders. This week will once again bring many changes to Elder Scott. He is getting a new companion tomorrow, and this time it will be a fresh face to the mission field as he is getting his first "greenie" and will be training him for the next 12 weeks. Elder Scott is really excited about this new opportunity. Please pray for both of them. It can be daunting to train, and even more daunting for the newly called missionary to finally get in the field and apply what he has been learning in the MTC. I'd also request prayers that Elder Scott starts to feel better. We found out today he has been suffering for the past 10 weeks with terrible jaw pain from it locking up on him, and the doctors think it is due to inflammation of the jaw joints. He has been put on a strict liquid/pureed diet for the next 2 weeks and is not allowed to eat anything gummy or chewy for the next 6 months. I definitely believe in the power of prayer, and he could  use some of yours this week to start to feel better.  

Last week on p-day they found special treats. Good thing because the unexpected liquid/pureed diet would be happening shortly.

Last District Meeting before changes. They celebrated all the July birthday's with cake which means they got to celebrate Elder Chiza's birthday!!

More fun photos from the District Meeting. It would be the last opportunity to see some of these missionaries as Elder Marichi and Elder Chocan are heading home tomorrow after dedicating the past 2 years of their life to full-time missionary work. 

Reunited with Elder Weller (Elder Scott's FIRST
companion in the MTC!!)

These two will be MISSED!
Best of luck on your next great adventures, Elders.

Reunited with Elder Parra who
was Elder Scott's TRAINER
when he first entered the field

You can't have a District
Meeting with Elder's and
not pull out lots of goodies.

Final days as companions

Seriously, can he be any cuter?!

I'm not sure what these photos are from, but I love the family in them!

Right before this fun activity with the primary was when Elder Scott got put on a strict liquid/pureed food only diet for the next 7 days. 

Here's a sampling of some of the food he will be eating this week.

You would NEVER know he's been in so much
pain with that giant SMILE he always wears.

This looks like a lonely place setting, but at
least it is on the patio overlooking the city of Chimbote.

I'm not so sure about pureed Peruvian food, haha! Look how
nice his Pence tries to make it for him though. How sweet!

Time for the Capilla Abierta (Church Open House)

Elder Scott y Elder Chiza did a presentation near the
 baptismal font about the importance of baptism. I love to
see him dressed in his baptismal whites.

It is so good to see his zone along with President Rios.

Hooray for seeing Elder Willard again!!

Elder Scott y Elder Hart

Some of the last photos with Elder Chiza as Elder Scott will be heading to Trujillo tonight to pick up his greenie in the morning. Thank you Elder Chiza your strong desire to teach others about our Heavenly Father's gospel plan.