We had so much rain this week, 4 days had plenty rain on it, and 2 of those was just solid rain, straight through. We actually had to use the heater in the car on two nights in a row because we got wet (soaked, really) during the day. just a rainy week. Here is a pic of a cruise ship that came into port on one of those days. It was funny to see a lot of tourists running around in poncho's!
Our Area is doing well, we should hopefully have the James' family get baptized this week. Its dependent on a few things though, but we should see them baptized soon regardless if its this week or not. Its been wonderful to teach this great family and see the gospel bless their lives.
We have been struggling with our member work, we just don't get members to come with us, and when they do, our appointments fall though. I suspect increased efforts on our part combined with the lessons we will learn at our zone meeting this week will greatly aid us in that category.
Elder Horsley is doing well he seems to still like me, so thats a plus! Its such a great blessing to serve with him because we get along, and we work hard. We are trying to figure out all ways to make our area effective. I see a lot of benefits of us working together. He helps me work harder with his zeal and his dedication, and I help with experience that helps us work smarter/more effectively. Its a good combo I feel.
I am in the process of reading the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jesus the Christ (again), and reading through PMG from front to back. I sure love reading good books.
One thing I was pondering on this week was about something I have always thought. Its along the lines of "wouldn't it be better to live like there is a God and a life after, and there not to be than to live like there is not a God and then after this life find out that there is one?" It just makes more sense to me. Besides, from my observations, the life of a god fearing christian is better than a godless person, before you even weigh in the consequences that come AFTER this life. It just doesn't make sense to follow a godless life, and I think the only reason someone would do that if they were to really think about what I have discussed is because its easier to live a godless life. Water runs down hill, the path of least resistance, and It misses out on everything up the hill that it could have chosen had it the power to do so. thankfully for us we have the God given ability to choose for ourselves our destiny. Free Agency. what a blessing if we use it properly. Thankfully Christ is there to help us as we attempt to change our course and free ourselves from the natural or carnal man.
Sort of following along the same discussion, its sad how a person can hearken to the voices of the natural man so much that they can blind themselves to reality for the temporary relief of searing their conscience. We visited this week a member of the church who hasn't come out for a long time and has really backslid in his life. Its sad to look on the state he is choosing to live in, and how devoid of the spirit his life and home is. The main discussion we had was concerning the word of wisdom, as he is a raging alcoholic and a smoker. He insists and has seriously convinced himself that smoking and drinking will make him live longer. He cited 2 instances of people that lived long lives while smoking/drinking, and ignored the MILLIONS of lives that have been ended sooner than they needed to due to substances. This man truly is a slave to his carnal appetites, and it all came from the unwise use of his agency. He and his family is paying and is going to continue to pay the price of sin, for the wages of sin truly is death.
Ok I'm going to get off my soap box now, I didn't mean to rant there, that stuff has just been on my mind. I didn't have many emails to reply to today and so I had more time to speak what was on my mind.
On a more positive and cool note, I have learned a great fact this week. Apparently the classic film, "Swiss Family Robinson" was filmed on this island, Tobago! I heard that 2nd hand though, so someone would have to confirm that for me.
Also, next p-day we have a fun activity planned. We are going to be flying over to Trinidad in the morning, doing some Christmas caroling, eating a thanksgiving dinner with all the Trinidad missionaries, and then flying back that night. Its helping me not be trunky cause i'm so excited to do this! In what other mission do you get to fly to a next island and then back for a P-day!!! When we found out about that we were very excited.
so I will probably email earlier next week to make room to fly!
I hope your all doing well, please ponder on what I have talked about this week, the principles discussed will be a blessing in your life if you apply them!
Elder William Jeppson
We have been struggling with our member work, we just don't get members to come with us, and when they do, our appointments fall though. I suspect increased efforts on our part combined with the lessons we will learn at our zone meeting this week will greatly aid us in that category.
Elder Horsley is doing well he seems to still like me, so thats a plus! Its such a great blessing to serve with him because we get along, and we work hard. We are trying to figure out all ways to make our area effective. I see a lot of benefits of us working together. He helps me work harder with his zeal and his dedication, and I help with experience that helps us work smarter/more effectively. Its a good combo I feel.
I am in the process of reading the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jesus the Christ (again), and reading through PMG from front to back. I sure love reading good books.
One thing I was pondering on this week was about something I have always thought. Its along the lines of "wouldn't it be better to live like there is a God and a life after, and there not to be than to live like there is not a God and then after this life find out that there is one?" It just makes more sense to me. Besides, from my observations, the life of a god fearing christian is better than a godless person, before you even weigh in the consequences that come AFTER this life. It just doesn't make sense to follow a godless life, and I think the only reason someone would do that if they were to really think about what I have discussed is because its easier to live a godless life. Water runs down hill, the path of least resistance, and It misses out on everything up the hill that it could have chosen had it the power to do so. thankfully for us we have the God given ability to choose for ourselves our destiny. Free Agency. what a blessing if we use it properly. Thankfully Christ is there to help us as we attempt to change our course and free ourselves from the natural or carnal man.
Sort of following along the same discussion, its sad how a person can hearken to the voices of the natural man so much that they can blind themselves to reality for the temporary relief of searing their conscience. We visited this week a member of the church who hasn't come out for a long time and has really backslid in his life. Its sad to look on the state he is choosing to live in, and how devoid of the spirit his life and home is. The main discussion we had was concerning the word of wisdom, as he is a raging alcoholic and a smoker. He insists and has seriously convinced himself that smoking and drinking will make him live longer. He cited 2 instances of people that lived long lives while smoking/drinking, and ignored the MILLIONS of lives that have been ended sooner than they needed to due to substances. This man truly is a slave to his carnal appetites, and it all came from the unwise use of his agency. He and his family is paying and is going to continue to pay the price of sin, for the wages of sin truly is death.
Ok I'm going to get off my soap box now, I didn't mean to rant there, that stuff has just been on my mind. I didn't have many emails to reply to today and so I had more time to speak what was on my mind.
On a more positive and cool note, I have learned a great fact this week. Apparently the classic film, "Swiss Family Robinson" was filmed on this island, Tobago! I heard that 2nd hand though, so someone would have to confirm that for me.
Also, next p-day we have a fun activity planned. We are going to be flying over to Trinidad in the morning, doing some Christmas caroling, eating a thanksgiving dinner with all the Trinidad missionaries, and then flying back that night. Its helping me not be trunky cause i'm so excited to do this! In what other mission do you get to fly to a next island and then back for a P-day!!! When we found out about that we were very excited.
so I will probably email earlier next week to make room to fly!
I hope your all doing well, please ponder on what I have talked about this week, the principles discussed will be a blessing in your life if you apply them!
Elder William Jeppson