Foust in Fort Worth: Week 5 already‏

Monday, July 16, 2012

Week 5 already‏

Well, as you can see from the subject line, it is already week 5 of this transfer. Next week is Board Week, and then the next is transfers. This past month has flown by so fast I can barely even believe it.

This week flew by too, and it was a really good week. It started on Monday night, we had an appointment with a lady named Cherrie (not really, but you should know that by now) and it was really good. Cherrie has been investigating the church on and off for over a year now. In fact, she has a son serving a mission in South Africa right now. The only thing that is really holding her back is that she is not married, but living with her fiancé. But during our lesson on Monday, she told us that they are finally getting married in three weeks! Right after she told us that, we set a baptismal date for August 20th. But we'll have to reset it for another day because that's a Monday, and we're not supposed to do baptisms on Mondays because of FHE (we kind of pulled a day out of thin air) so we're going to see if she can do it on the 18th. It is going to be great. We took our High Priest Group Leader and his wife to the lesson, and they connected really well. The HPGL has a son on a mission two, so the women loved talking to each other about it. After the lesson, I had a realization. I said the words "August 18th" and I realized, hey that's my Dad's birthday. Which led me to think "Hey, that's 6 months away from my birthday," which then led to "wait.... that means 6 months from then I'll be done..."

Not my favorite thought in the world. It's a good thought, I am excited to get to see everyone again then, and to be home and move forward with the next stage of life, but still... that's weird. I just hope I cannot be trunkie when it gets close. (by the way mom, thanks for saying "cya soon" at the end of your last letter, it made me laugh because I'm pretty sure you are trunkier than me .)

Anyway, that was our Monday, a great lesson with a perfect member to be with us. Then on Tuesday, we had two appointments that night. The first one was with some more investigators that have been investigating for a long time, and we had a really good lesson with a really good member there, and then he dropped us off at another member’s house so we could go with them to our next appointment with Gus. So we had 2 member exchanges that night. Both of them were perfect for the lessons too. By the end of that lesson, Gus's attitude about quitting smoking went from "I'll quit when I want" to "I know I need to quit" and then in the closing prayer, he asked god to help him quit. It was awesome. He went in for surgery this weekend, so he's down and out for a little while, but He's doing great other than that.

On Wednesday we had another great lesson with Gus, he wanted us to come by every day last week before his surgery, so we did. Each time we took different members with us, which he loves. After that lesson we went to a part-member family's house, and read from the Book of Mormon with them, because the Husband, who is not a member and I will call him Barney, doesn't really understand the language, so we are helping him understand it.

On Thursday we took a priest out with us to knock some doors after seeing Gus. We ran in to a couple of his friends, and the one kid, who's Jaden's age, knew a lot of anti. It was really sad. He was asking us questions that I haven't heard since a guy in denton had a sheet of anti questions to ask. It was sad, because he'll probably never find the truth because he's being blinded by the craftiness of the devil. And it didn't help that he was a cocky jock and thought he was all that. But it was alright.

Friday was a good full day of work, we did a lot of contacting, but without much success

Saturday was the Peach Festival; apparently Weatherford is famous for its Peaches. We didn't go in to the festival because it was 5 bucks, but we walked around the streets outside of it and contacted people. It was fun.

Yesterday at Church was great. There were great speakers in both sacrament meetings, and there was a really good spirit there. We had Linger Longer in both wards we cover, so we got plenty of good food to eat after church, so that was a bonus.

I've been learning a lot in my studies. And it is interesting as I learn more, it always goes back to the same principles. Even when it repeats the same things, it helps me understand it better. A big thing that has been sticking out to me more lately has been about becoming clean. Preach My Gospel tells us that God will not make us clean against our will. This intrigued me. The one thing God has given us that we own is our will. How we use our will determines how clean or unclean we are. God will not force us to be clean, because he will not force us to repent. He will not force our will that is one thing God cannot do. So he allows us to learn correct principles, if we choose to, and then makes us clean if we will it. And in order to will it, we must do something about it. If we don't do something about it, we obviously aren't using our will to show God we would like to be clean, and therefore, he does not make us clean. Hymn 240 says "Know this that every soul is free to choose his life and what he'll be; for this eternal truth is given: That God will force no man to heaven." God will not take us to heaven against our will. In the same way, when by our actions (aka, the use of our agency, or our will) we drive God out; he is a gentleman and leaves. This is true on a personal scale, as well as on a widespread scale. So each of us needs to take a look at ourselves and ask "Is it my will to be made clean? What am I doing to show God that I would like to be, and to ask God to make me clean? Am I partaking of the sacrament each week? Am I worthy to partake of the sacrament? Am I even trying at all?" Some of you are not. Some of you think you are, or try to convince yourself that you, but you are not. This is important. If it wasn't, I wouldn't bring it up. I know people don't like being told that they are doings something wrong, because they already know it. They just don't want people to point it out. But this is just too important to not point out. I am not afraid of offending anyone, because of how important this is, because if I am not bold, I can't stand before God and say I did all I could to help those I love. So here it goes. It is time for repentance. Obviously this is going to a wide variety of people, who are all in a variety of situations, so I am being general. Ask yourself these questions, and repent as necessary.

Do you always remember Christ? Do you remember his mercy and long-suffering to you? Do you remember when he blessed you before? Are you still receiving all the blessings?

Do you listen to, and obey the words of the prophets, living and dead? Ancient and Modern?

Have you spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your heart?

Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view yourself raised in immortality, and incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in this life?

Can you imagine to yourself that you will hear the voice of the Lord say "Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?" Or do you imagine to yourself that ye can lie to the Lord in that day and say "Lord, my works have been righteous works," And that he will save you? Or can you imagine yourself brought before the judgment bar of God with your soul filled with guilt, remembering all your guilt remembering all of your wickedness and that you have defied the commandments of God?

Can you look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? Can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?

Can you think of being saved when you have yielded to become a subject to the devil? How will you feel, if you stand before the bar of God, and you are stained with blood and all manner of filthiness?

Do you think that someone like that can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, who are cleansed and are spotless and pure?

Have you made baptismal covenants? Do you keep them? Do you take the sacrament? Do you fulfill your duties to God and to your family?

Are you doing what it takes?

What emotions are you feeling right now? Feel free to reply and tell me.

I love y'all. I hope you have a good week, and remember - Repent :)

-- --Elder Braxton C Foust--

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Be of Good Cheer

Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. My dear brothers and sisters, I express my love to you. I am humbled by the responsibility to address you, and yet I am grateful for the opportunity to do so. Since last we met together in a general conference six months ago, there have been continuing signs that circumstances in the world aren’t necessarily as we would wish. The global economy, which six months ago appeared to be sagging, seems to have taken a nosedive, and for many weeks now the financial outlook has been somewhat grim. In addition, the moral footings of society continue to slip, while those who attempt to safeguard those footings are often ridiculed and, at times, picketed and persecuted. Wars, natural disasters, and personal misfortunes continue to occur. It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future—or even fearful of what might come—if we allowed ourselves to dwell only on that which is wrong in the world and in our lives. Today, however, I’d like us to turn our thoughts and our attitudes away from the troubles around us and to focus instead on our blessings as members of the Church. The Apostle Paul declared, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 1 None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” 2 How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.” 3 The history of the Church in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, is replete with the experiences of those who have struggled and yet who have remained steadfast and of good cheer as they have made the gospel of Jesus Christ the center of their lives. This attitude is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. It will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on, and to emerge victorious. Too numerous to mention are the examples of all the individuals who have faced difficult circumstances and yet who have persevered and prevailed because their faith in the gospel and in the Savior has given them the strength they have needed. This morning, however, I’d like to share with you three such examples. First, from my own family, I mention a touching experience that has always been an inspiration to me. My maternal great-grandparents Gibson and Cecelia Sharp Condie lived in Clackmannan, Scotland. Their families were engaged in coal mining. They were at peace with the world, surrounded by relatives and friends, and were housed in fairly comfortable quarters in a land they loved. Then they listened to the message of the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, to the depths of their very souls, were converted. They heard the call to gather to Zion and knew they must answer that call. Sometime around 1848, they sold their possessions and prepared for the hazardous voyage across the mighty Atlantic Ocean. With five small children, they boarded a sailing vessel, all their worldly possessions in one tiny trunk. They traveled 3,000 miles (4,800 km) across the waters—eight long, weary weeks on a treacherous sea, watching and waiting, with poor food, poor water, and no help beyond the length and breadth of that small ship. In the midst of this soul-trying situation, one of their young sons became ill. There were no doctors, no stores at which they might purchase medicine to ease his suffering. They watched, they prayed, they waited, and they wept as day by day his condition deteriorated. When his eyes were at last closed in death, their hearts were torn asunder. To add to their grief, the laws of the sea must be obeyed. Wrapped in a canvas weighed down with iron, the little body was consigned to a watery grave. As they sailed away, only those parents knew the crushing blow dealt to wounded hearts. 4 However, with a faith born of their deep conviction of the truth and their love of the Lord, Gibson and Cecelia held on. They were comforted by the words of the Lord: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” 5 How grateful I am for ancestors who had the faith to leave hearth and home and to journey to Zion, who made sacrifices I can scarcely imagine. I thank my Heavenly Father for the example of faith, of courage, and of determination Gibson and Cecelia Sharp Condie provide for me and for all their posterity. I introduce next a gentle, faith-filled man who epitomized the peace and joy which the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring into one’s life. Late one evening on a Pacific isle, a small boat slipped silently to its berth at the crude pier. Two Polynesian women helped Meli Mulipola from the boat and guided him to the well-worn pathway leading to the village road. The women marveled at the bright stars, which twinkled in the midnight sky. The moonlight guided them along their way. However, Meli Mulipola could not appreciate these delights of nature—the moon, the stars, the sky—for he was blind. Brother Mulipola’s vision had been normal until a fateful day when, while working on a pineapple plantation, light turned suddenly to darkness and day became perpetual night. He was depressed and despondent until he learned the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His life was brought into compliance with the teachings of the Church, and he once again felt hope and joy. Brother Mulipola and his loved ones had made a long voyage, having learned that one who held the priesthood of God was visiting among the islands of the Pacific. He sought a blessing, and it was my privilege, along with another who held the Melchizedek Priesthood, to provide that blessing to him. As we finished, I noted that tears were streaming from his sightless eyes, coursing down his brown cheeks and tumbling finally upon his native dress. He dropped to his knees and prayed: “O God, Thou knowest I am blind. Thy servants have blessed me that my sight might return. Whether in Thy wisdom I see light or whether I see darkness all the days of my life, I will be eternally grateful for the truth of Thy gospel, which I now see and which provides the light of my life.” He rose to his feet and, smiling, thanked us for providing the blessing. He then disappeared into the still of the night. Silently he came; silently he departed. But his presence I shall never forget. I reflected upon the message of the Master: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 6 My brothers and sisters, each of us has that light in his or her life. We are not left to walk alone, no matter how dark our pathway. I love the words penned by M. Louise Haskins: And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than [a] light and safer than a known way.” 7 The setting for my final example of one who persevered and ultimately prevailed, despite overwhelmingly difficult circumstances, begins in East Prussia following World War II. In about March 1946, less than a year after the end of the war, Ezra Taft Benson, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, accompanied by Frederick W. Babbel, was assigned a special postwar tour of Europe for the express purpose of meeting with the Saints, assessing their needs, and providing assistance to them. Elder Benson and Brother Babbel later recounted, from a testimony they heard, the experience of a Church member who found herself in an area no longer controlled by the government under which she had resided. She and her husband had lived an idyllic life in East Prussia. Then had come the second great world war within their lifetimes. Her beloved young husband was killed during the final days of the frightful battles in their homeland, leaving her alone to care for their four children. The occupying forces determined that the Germans in East Prussia must go to Western Germany to seek a new home. The woman was German, and so it was necessary for her to go. The journey was over a thousand miles (1,600 km), and she had no way to accomplish it but on foot. She was allowed to take only such bare necessities as she could load into her small wooden-wheeled wagon. Besides her children and these meager possessions, she took with her a strong faith in God and in the gospel as revealed to the latter-day prophet Joseph Smith. She and the children began the journey in late summer. Having neither food nor money among her few possessions, she was forced to gather a daily subsistence from the fields and forests along the way. She was constantly faced with dangers from panic-stricken refugees and plundering troops. As the days turned into weeks and the weeks to months, the temperatures dropped below freezing. Each day, she stumbled over the frozen ground, her smallest child—a baby—in her arms. Her three other children struggled along behind her, with the oldest—seven years old—pulling the tiny wooden wagon containing their belongings. Ragged and torn burlap was wrapped around their feet, providing the only protection for them, since their shoes had long since disintegrated. Their thin, tattered jackets covered their thin, tattered clothing, providing their only protection against the cold. Soon the snows came, and the days and nights became a nightmare. In the evenings she and the children would try to find some kind of shelter—a barn or a shed—and would huddle together for warmth, with a few thin blankets from the wagon on top of them. She constantly struggled to force from her mind overwhelming fears that they would perish before reaching their destination. And then one morning the unthinkable happened. As she awakened, she felt a chill in her heart. The tiny form of her three-year-old daughter was cold and still, and she realized that death had claimed the child. Though overwhelmed with grief, she knew that she must take the other children and travel on. First, however, she used the only implement she had—a tablespoon—to dig a grave in the frozen ground for her tiny, precious child. Death, however, was to be her companion again and again on the journey. Her seven-year-old son died, either from starvation or from freezing or both. Again her only shovel was the tablespoon, and again she dug hour after hour to lay his mortal remains gently into the earth. Next, her five-year-old son died, and again she used her tablespoon as a shovel. Her despair was all consuming. She had only her tiny baby daughter left, and the poor thing was failing. Finally, as she was reaching the end of her journey, the baby died in her arms. The spoon was gone now, so hour after hour she dug a grave in the frozen earth with her bare fingers. Her grief became unbearable. How could she possibly be kneeling in the snow at the graveside of her last child? She had lost her husband and all her children. She had given up her earthly goods, her home, and even her homeland. In this moment of overwhelming sorrow and complete bewilderment, she felt her heart would literally break. In despair she contemplated how she might end her own life, as so many of her fellow countrymen were doing. How easy it would be to jump off a nearby bridge, she thought, or to throw herself in front of an oncoming train. And then, as these thoughts assailed her, something within her said, “Get down on your knees and pray.” She ignored the prompting until she could resist it no longer. She knelt and prayed more fervently than she had in her entire life: “Dear Heavenly Father, I do not know how I can go on. I have nothing left—except my faith in Thee. I feel, Father, amidst the desolation of my soul, an overwhelming gratitude for the atoning sacrifice of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. I cannot express adequately my love for Him. I know that because He suffered and died, I shall live again with my family; that because He broke the chains of death, I shall see my children again and will have the joy of raising them. Though I do not at this moment wish to live, I will do so, that we may be reunited as a family and return—together—to Thee.” When she finally reached her destination of Karlsruhe, Germany, she was emaciated. Brother Babbel said that her face was a purple-gray, her eyes red and swollen, her joints protruding. She was literally in the advanced stages of starvation. In a Church meeting shortly thereafter, she bore a glorious testimony, stating that of all the ailing people in her saddened land, she was one of the happiest because she knew that God lived, that Jesus is the Christ, and that He died and was resurrected so that we might live again. She testified that she knew if she continued faithful and true to the end, she would be reunited with those she had lost and would be saved in the celestial kingdom of God. 8 From the holy scriptures we read, “Behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in [Him], they who have endured the crosses of the world, … they shall inherit the kingdom of God, … and their joy shall be full forever.” 9 I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. I declare that God lives and that He hears and answers our prayers. His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and our Redeemer. Heaven’s blessings await us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Week 5 already‏

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