Some thoughts on murmuring...

Hi Family and Friends,

Sister Lila Jenson and Autumn at her baptism

Autumn and her grandma

 

Lila, Sister Weaver and Sister Holt at tornado clean up



Strong sisters helping collect tornado debris for pick up by the city.

This week most of our investigators dropped us :( So the next few weeks is going to be a LOT of tracting! But that's okay. This week we are going to be working as a companionship to get better at finding people to teach and trying to more powerfully teach and testify of the truth.

I learned a lot this Sunday. For a while I have not known how to help my companions. But this Sunday I realized that I really needed to be the one to change, to be nicer and to work harder. During the Sacrament I read many of the hymns like "Let us oft speak kind words," "Should you be inclined to censure," etc. Their words really touched me, and I prayed to Heavenly Father to help me know what to do. The July Ensign has a wonderful article about a roommate and the advice given to her by her bishop that I read again and gave me some additional insight.

Last transfer I started writing down things I loved about my companion and that really helped. Then I started reading Elder Holland’s talk from April 2007 General Conference entitled "The Tongue of Angels." I love this talk and suggest that everyone read it! There really is no reason to say an unkind thing. As I was pondering what to do I had several ideas pop into my head. So I followed them. While my companions were napping during lunch I wrote them both a Thank you card and told them some of the things that I loved about them and thanking them for the things they've done. Then I cleaned the kitchen and when we had companion study I apologized for any critical things I had said and told them that I would be working on being more positive this week. I know their hearts were touched and I think we will get along better. I have been studying the leadership section of the missionary rule book and the scriptures in that section have also been a great help. I am so grateful for God's help. This is another instance in which I can see His direct involvement in my life through the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Ok, so I have to quote Elder Holland because this is one of my favorite things he has said:

"I have often thought that Nephi’s being bound with cords and beaten by rods must have been more tolerable to him than listening to Lamen and Lemuel’s constant murmuring. Surely he must have said at least once, “Hit me one more time. I can still hear you.” Yes, life has its problems, and yes, there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living—no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse."

I love this quote and I say amen to the second half. I know that complaining always makes things worse!

I know that we can each be of good cheer! No matter what we are facing.

Love to you all,

Sister Jenson