Sister Ratuvukivuki

I did this a few times on my last blog and I really enjoyed it. So it is now time to Embrace the Camera.

Next to me in the picture is my new companion, who I must say is simply awesome. Her name is Sister Ratuvukivuki (it's not as hard to pronounce as it seems) and she is from sunny and beautiful Fiji. Which is also a great way to describer her. This morning I made pancakes for her. It is just one of the many new things she has been able to try since coming on her mission. She seems to love everything, including the pancakes, that she gets to try. I feel so lucky getting to share new things with her. But even more I feel blessed to serve with her. Sister Ratuvukivuki has so much faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel. Each time she bears testimony I can feel the Spirit touch my heart. I am learning so much from her example of humility and kindness. I am so grateful for her.

  I made her an "R" but it looked better backwards.

The actual eating of my creations.

  

Bless Everybody!

The other night I listened to a two-year old pray. It went like this:

"Okay let's say a prayer, bless mommy."
"Mommy"
"Bless daddy"
"Daddy"
"Bless meemaw"
"Meemaw"
"Bless papaw'
"Papaw'
"And bless everybody"
"Everybody"
"Say Amen."
"Amen!"

It was possibly one of the cutest things I have ever heard. This little girl was so sweet and sincere. As I think about this prayer I wonder if mine are like this little girl's. Am I simply saying my prayers to get them done or do I treat them as a wonderful experience where I get to talk to my Heavenly Father? Growing up I remember my mom teaching me how to pray. Begin by addressing God, express gratitude (thank you for my kitty), ask for things I need or blessings (bless mom and dad), seek forgiveness (sorry for fighting with Val), and close in the name of Jesus Christ. But what stands out even more than this simple formula for a prayer is the many times I would find my mother kneeling by her bed. As I would look at her I knew she was earnestly and sincerely praying for her family, for me. She was having a real conversation with God. I am so grateful for this example and will strive each time I pray to follow it.

*

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

(Alma 37:37)

Have you counseled with the Lord today?

As I start this new adventure there is something that must be shared. On my mission I am learning many lessons and all very important, but there is one that stands above the rest.

I am learning how to love. 

But that might be a bit broad so let me narrow it down for you. In the Book of Mormon it states that "charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever." (Moroni 7:47) This is a better description of what I am learning. What I do every day, all day long revolves around people, some I know well, some are mere acquaintances, and some are complete strangers. I want to love each one as Christ would. But how do I do that? Well let me share what I have learned so far. 

Christ taught, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matt. 22:37-39) It all starts with a love for God and as I love Him, it over flows into my love for others. 

I have also come to find that one of my greatest obstacles to loving is selfishness, caring for only myself. This sometimes can be a hard thing to overcome, but I have found something that really helps. It is called listening. And I don't mean just hearing the words people are saying. I mean looking at them and concentrating on them as the speak. Not thinking of what you are going to say in response or things you need to do. Not focusing on yourself as they speak but on them! It was a difficult thing at first and still can be but when I actually do it I find myself really loving the person. It is a amazing!

The last thing I have learned is best said by President Thomas S. Monson, "Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others." As I forgive, forgo judgment, and accept others it is much more easy to love them. 

I am not saying these are the perfect ways to love others, but they are what I have learned so far. Don't you worry I am sure I will learn more and share them with you. Gaining that "pure love of Christ" is one of the main goals of my mission and life. So don't be surprised if you see a few more drops in the bucket about love.