How then are you blessed IMMEDIATELY for your obedience?

Monday 29 May, 2017

Happy Monday everyone!

Look at this Beautiful Tree!

Sorry this week is a short email! I hope you all had a great week! And I hope you all took the time to study Helaman 5:12 and answer those questions!

Today I just want to share something from a talk that I read this week!

Sis Malupo                                   Cowra and Bathurst Sisters

I want to start with the question "How is it that we are IMMEDIATELY blessed for our obedience?"

Generally we think that blessings are realized only over time. For example, the prophet Ether said: "...ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6). Another example of how time, diligence and patience play a role in realizing the fruit of your labours is found in the teachings of Alma about the seed (Alma 32). Here, Alma compared the gospel to a seed and said that we can realize the fruit or benefit from that seed only after a season of caring and nourishing the seed (Alma 32). Moses said that the people of Enoch were exalted "in process of time" (Moses 7:21). How then are you blessed IMMEDIATELY for your obedience?

The answer is that there are blessings and THEN there are blessings. Some blessings you wait for; others are immediate and invariable. One way that you are immediately blessed is that you are CHANGED, and change may be the greatest blessing of all! You are the sum total of all that you have thought, done, said, seen, heard and felt in this life and before. You change immediately with each good thought, each good act, and every good word changes you for the better. When you WILLINGLY obey the principles of the gospel, you are changed by the Spirit of God to become incrementally more like him. The degree of change with each small act of obedience may be small, but it is real and immediate. The full, cumulative and perfect realization of this process of change or sanctification happens only over time.  But make no mistake; you are always changing, and the effects of your obedience are immediate, whether for better or for worse, depending upon the voice you choose to follow. 

Just give it up. Surrender your will to Him. Unconditionally, withhold nothing. Turn it all over to Him; all of your desires, wishes, dreams and hopes. Be true and faithful in your head and in your heart, not just in your behaviour. Trust in Him. Trust Him who knows all things. Trust Him who has all power. Trust Him whose love for you is perfect. Trust Him, who alone suffered, paid and atoned for your sins and for your weaknesses as well. Trust Him that He will make of you, immeasurably more, than what you will ever, ever, in all eternity, make of yourself. He will create of you a masterpiece. You will create of you only a smudge. 

President David O. McKay said "The greatest battles you will ever fight will be within the silent chambers of your heart". That is the battleground between what you want and what the Lord wants. If you surrender, if the Lord wins, you win also. If you win, if your will prevails, you and the Lord both lose. The only way to win is to lose. Lose yourself in doing the Lord's will, and you will win beyond your wildest imaginations.

My invitation to us all is to trust in the Lord. To lose the battle with him so that we may come out conquering! Allow yourself to be changed through the immediate blessing of following Him!

Love you!

Sister Roos (: (: 

Elder Beriong - Zone Conference

Pukana

..."If God tells me that this book is true then I'll be a Mormon". We testified some more and then she said "This is an Inspired Book".

Monday 22 May, 2017

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great week! This week in Bathurst has been great! We spent some time up in Mudgee too and it was great! Mudgee is AWESOME! And it was Sister Sio's first time up there too, so it was fantabulous! I hope you were all able to HANG ON this week during situations where it would have been easier to just let go and give up! 

This week we are doing a Zone Book of Mormon Challenge before our Zone Conference. The goal for the Zone is to invite 160 people to take a Book of Mormon and read it! It has been going great so far! Sister Sio and I are loving the challenge! We set specific goals each day to meet, so that we can make our final goal by Thursday! 

 

The tender mercies of the Lord are continually blessing us as we are doing His work here in Bathurst, especially with the Book of Mormon Challenge! 

Quick experience! As Sister Sio and I were tracting we came across this older lady. She was in her backyard when we first knocked and then she came to the front after another knock. You could tell she wasn't too happy to see us (hahah the norms here). 

We introduced ourselves and she still didn't look to thrilled that we were standing at her front door. We started a simple conversation with her and then it moved into a discussion about the Book of Mormon. She was COMPLETELY against the Book of Mormon. 

She started to try and Bible bash us, I think, in the hopes of scaring us off. However, everything that she said about the Bible related to what was in the Book of Mormon and so we shared with her that the Book of Mormon does not take away from the Bible but it adds more to our knowledge of the Saviour and his divinity. She was still really contentious. 

ANYWAYS after about 10 minutes of talking we felt impressed that we couldn't leave until this lady had a Book of Mormon in her hands.

We testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and then she told us she likes to read the Bible but sometimes some of the concepts go over her head. So I pulled out the Book of Mormon and flipped to the Index and said that in the Index there are references that you can use to better understand doctrine or principles that you might find a bit difficult. She looked and said "that's too small".

So we pulled out a Mormon.org card (me being very persistent) and said if you go onto this website you can pull it up so you can make the print bigger and there is also the Bible too. She was very happy when she heard that because she doesn't like having paper all over the place. We then introduced more of the background of the Book of Mormon using the pictures in the front (because I love pictures) and you could see by this time that her attitude towards us had completely changed! She opened the screen door (which never happens) and she listened very intently. She took a copy and she asked for a copy for her son as well.

Before we left she said to us "if God tells me that this book is true then I'll be a Mormon". We testified some more and then she said "this is an inspired book".

This is the work of the Lord! The Book of Mormon is true and as we read it, it allows us to build a deeper relationship with our Saviour! I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the power that it brings into my life! 

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi said

"I know from personal experience, the spiritual power that can flow into your life if you follow this practice (scripture study). You will feel the love of God and a cleansing, purifying regeneration of your spirit. You will experience moments of revelation, when the Spirit whispers to your spirit to be a better father, a better mother, a better son or daughter, a better disciple of Jesus Christ."

My invitation for you all this week is a long term invitation! All my invitations are long-term but this specific invitation will be something that I will follow up with you all for the next 12 weeks! My invitation is to create a more personal relationship with the Saviour. Every week for the next 12 weeks, read a scripture from the list that I will give as part of your daily study. Read the same scripture every day for that specific week. Ponder what it means to you personally. Take a moment, sometime during each week, to write down your feelings about each scripture in a journal. Answer the questions that I will provide (when so prompted to). I pray that by studying the same scripture every day for a week will enable you to more deeply understand the Saviour and His relationship with you. I promise you that as you do this, your relationship and your love for the Saviour will deepen! You will be more able to see His hand in your life!

Love you!

Sister Roos xx (: (: 

12 Week Scripture Reading Schedule

Week 1: Helaman 5:12

Week 2: John 14:23-27

Week 3: 3 Nephi 13:14-21

Week 4: Alma 5:14-16

Week 5: Proverbs 31:30-31

Week 6: D&C 8:2-3 and 9:7-9

Week 7: Moroni 10:18-23

Week 8: Matthew 7:7-8

Week 9: D&C 6:14-16

Week 10: D&C 88:118-119

Week 11: Revelations 7:15-17

Week 12: Mosiah 9:12

Questions to help as you ponder your relationship with the Saviour

How do I show love for the Saviour?

Do I keep ALL of His commandments?

Have I put any other "Gods" before Christ?

How can I seek the guidance of Christ more in my life?

How/who does the Lord want me to serve?

Is the Lord first in my life?

What am I doing to help build the kingdom of God on the Earth?

Where does true happiness come from? Do I have it now?

How can the Saviour help me improve my thoughts and attitude?

How can I be a better example to others?

From whom do I get my strength?

How does the Lord speak to me? Am I listening?

Am I too busy with worldly matters and neglect what's important?

How can I invite the Saviour into my home?

Do I understand my role as a daughter/son of God? And sister/brother of Christ?

Am I seeking Christ's help in all things?

Do I pray with integrity and sincerity?

Do I feel spiritually nourished? If not, how can I change that?

Do I have a testimony of Jesus Christ?

I invite you to Hang on!!

Monday 15 April, 2017

Happy Monday! And Happy belated Mother's day to all the amazing, faithful, influential mother's and women! I hope you all had a great day! It's another chilly one here in Bathurst! 

Miracles are happening in Bathurst! What a great week and especially weekend we have had!
We have been following up with former investigators this week to try and find new people to teach!
I felt a strong prompting to visit a specific family. Sister Niu and I had tried to visit this family on my first day here. 

Sister Sio and I went to the address that was in the area book for this family and I knew immediately this was not the house. I was devastated and a bit frustrated at myself because I could not remember for the life of me which house it was. We said a prayer and asked the Lord to bring to my remembrance where it was that the family now lived.
My companion and I went to another house – still nothing. Then we drove around following the impressions of the spirit to guide us to the house. 30 minutes passed and we stopped at a house, said a prayer, and knocked. The miracle being it was the house! The father of the family answered and exclaimed "Sisters! Where have you been? We were just talking the other day about how we have not seen you in a long time!"

I am so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord in leading and guiding us to find this family!

How did you all do with your invitation this week to pick an attribute that women of Christ in the Bible portrayed? I hope you took the time this week to further develop loyalty, virtue, charity, faith, purity, patience, faith, service, trust, obedience, kindness or selflessness!

A couple weeks ago, I heard this saying  "I salute a group of people who have developed what I believe to be a Christ like characteristic, and that is the ability to HANG ON!

In the lives of each of us come trials of all kinds which shake us to the very core and cause us to explore to the very depths our ability to HANG ON! The lives of people who HANG ON are filled with determination and faith. The lives of people who HANG ON are filled with such perseverance to overcome adversity and trial, that by their nature they simply can't let go!

Elder Loren C. Dunn said that there were two trees that were close to his home as he was growing up. 

"The one was a Russian olive and grew right in our yard. It was watered every time the lawn was watered, and in that kind of protected environment it grew to be a beautiful tree. yet one night a tremendous wind came up. Trees all over town were blown down, and with them went our Russian olive. We had watered it so well that the roots did not have to reach down into the soil; and because they were so close to the surface, the tree toppled over.

"The second tree withstood the gale. It was a tremendous cottonwood, which still stands in the land just half a block from where I was born. This tree was in the fullness of its growth when I was a child. It has always stood by itself, completely exposed to the elements, with nothing but a ditch running by, which most of the time is dry. It is gnarled and tough, and its roots have had to sink deep in order to drink of the water of life; but because its roots were forced downward, it lives!"

Adversity and trials allow us to drive our own roots of faith and testimony deep into the reservoir of spiritual strength! As we do this, our nature changes, and we are able to stand and fight and HANG ON!

Do not be cast down! Do not give up! Do not let go! The Adversary, the enemy of us all, would try to convince us that the ideals outlined are depressing and unrealistic, that people don't really improve, that no one really progresses. And why does Lucifer give that speech? Because he knows he can't improve, he can't progress; that worlds’ without end he will never have a bright tomorrow. He is a miserable man bound by eternal limitations, and he wants you to be miserable too. Well, don't fall for that. With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve! We can HANG ON!

President Thomas S. Monson said "To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility." And I add to this - We must develop the capacity to HANG ON with determination.

To everyone facing trials that they feel may never pass or trials that are pushing you to your limits REMEMBER that there is purpose in it all. My invitation to you all this week is to HANG ON! Hang on to what you know is true. Hang on to the knowledge that we have a loving Heavenly Father. Hang on to the message of the Restored Gospel. Hang on to the love of our Saviour!

May the Lord continue to bless you as you strive to HANG ON! 

"Patience is heavenly, obedience is noble, forgiveness is merciful, and exaltation is godly; and he that holds out (HANGS ON) faithful to the end shall in no wise lose his reward."

Love you all!

Sister Roos xx (: (: 

PS: Happy Birthday Brother Couch - Hari huri au kia koe 

Christlike Attributes

Monday 8th May 2017

Happy Happy Monday everyone!

Hope you are all having a great start to the week! It’s freezing here in Bathurst!

It was -2C this morning when we got out of the flat and it has warmed up a little to 2C hahhaha, Hello winter!

Just a few updates!

My new companion is Sister Sio! She is awesome! Fresh from MTC and ready to work! She is from Samoa and we are related, albeit very distant. How cool is that? My companion Sister Niu is in Prariewood 1st with Sister Burgess - For those of you from the Mighty Panmure Stake just know she is being well trained by Sister Niu! She is amazing! It was so good to see her last week! She is going to do great work!

 

Sooooo! How was your week in asking and developing patience? I have definitely had experiences this week where I have been able to ask for the ability to be more patient and to further accept the Lord's timing!

Sunday is Mother's Day! How exciting is that! I know I am definitely grateful for my mom and all that she has done for me and my siblings! And so this week, I just wanted to talk about some of the awesome Women in the Old Testament who I feel portray characteristics that we can all strive to have!  And how their characteristics and values can help lead and guide us to better our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ!

Ruth and Naomi

Naomi (future mother in law of Ruth) and her family travelled to Moab because of a famine in Bethlehem. Naomi's husband passed away, and her two sons married Moabite women, one of them being Ruth. Later, both of Naomi's sons passed away also.

Following these events, Naomi left along with her daughter in laws to return to her homeland Bethlehem as she received news that the famine was over. As they were travelling, Naomi told her daughter in laws out of love for them to go back home to their own families, in hopes that they would find worthy men to become their husbands in their own land (Ruth 1:8-9). Both the daughter in laws of Naomi did not want to leave her because of the love they had for her (Ruth 1:10). Eventually, one of the daughter in laws returned back, but Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi. Ruth also converted to the Israelite faith. 

"Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goes, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." 

Ruth 1:16

For the kindness that Ruth showed Naomi, she helped her marry Boaz, a good and worthy man to be her husband, and also a relative of her late husband.

Ruth and Naomi displayed loyalty, virtue, charity, faith purity and patience. We learn from them that treating others with love and kindness helps them see the gospel of Jesus Christ at work in our lives and can help them gain a testimony. We learn also that as we are patient and faithful that the losses that we experience in life will be made up by the Lord according to His will and His timing! 

Widow of Zarephath

This Gentile woman was a woman who had great faith! Because of the rebellion of the people towards the Lord at this time, there was severe drought and famine. The Lord instructed the prophet Elijah to travel to the Widow of Zarephath. As Elijah arrived to her home, she was preparing the last portion of food that she had for her son and herself. Elijah gave her a promise that if she fed him first, that her food would last until the famine that they were experiencing was over. This faithful woman agreed immediately and fed the prophet Elijah first. And the promised blessing came as she had sufficient food to last her and her family for the entire length of the famine (1 Kings 17:12-16)! Later, the Widow of Zarephath's son became ill and he passed away. Elijah came and restored him back to life (1 Kings 17:17-23) Following this miraculous event, the widow testified that she knew without a doubt that Elijah was a prophet of God (1 Kings 17:24)

From the Widow of Zarephath we see her display faith, service, trust, obedience, kindness and selflessness. We learn from her that acting on counsel from the Lord's prophets can require much faith and that unhesitatingly obeying the Lord's prophets can bring great blessings into our lives.

These are only three of the amazing women in the scriptures. How great are they? My invitation to you this week is to strive to emulate ONE of the Christlike attributes that these three devoted women of the Old Testament portrayed! Pick one for this week and work on it! 

Loyalty, virtue, charity, faith, purity, patience, faith, service, trust, obedience, kindness and selflessness. I know that as we do this and continue to strive to develop these attributes that we will become more like our Saviour and we will be in a better position to be examples of Him!

Love you all!

Sister Roos xx (: (: