From Dad 8/12

Hi everyone,

This past week has given us a lot to think about. There is so much of what is good in the world. We know also there is so much that comes from the influence of him who would dethrone our Father in Heaven and rule by force and all that is not good. Knowing our Father knows everything including the thoughts of the destroyer we are at peace. I know the Father will win this battle. I know Jesus Christ lived without subjecting himself to the adversary in the minutest detail. His offer was unblemished and perfect. The adversary had and still has no hold over Him. He will complete the work the Father gave Him to do and then deliver this world in its perfect form to the Father and step back of His own free will and choice and submit Himself to the Father, along with all those who also have loved the Father enough to work hard daily to keep His commandments, and allow the Father whose right it is to rule and reign for ever and ever. Such a love for our Father in Heaven is the greatest example we can ever receive of the worth and the blessing daily to understand and to live the commandments. I know it will be worth it. I pray every day for the help I need to so live that the Spirit can feel welcome in my heart.

Abuse is a hard subject to think about and more difficult to talk about. The key to overcoming the affects of abuse comes through our ability to withhold judgment from those who have abused us verbally or in other actions. Leaving the door open for someone to change is all our Father in Heaven has asked us to do. Judgment is a very, very difficult act to perform and the Father has encouraged us to stay away from it. In talking last night with a mother of two who is 31 whose husband has been unfaithful to her she could see how her anger toward her husband had begun to make her want to hurt the feelings of her 6 and her 3 year old boys. She cried and we hope it will be the beginning of her loving her two sons enough to let the unfaithful family member go unless and until he chooses a better way. We assured her in time her two boys through her unconditional love of them and for their father who has chosen another way she will be able to teach them also to continue to love and forgive their father with the hope someday he too will want to love them unconditionally. Consequences of actions can close doors and sometimes permanently, but they need never close out our love for the one who is being left behind to find his or her way alone in a troubled world.

We are happy to report Sister Meyer (the one who attends every week and has the honorary title of “sister”) has been given more room by a sometimes impatient husband to begin to ask the questions for which she needs answers in order to find her way and know what she wants to do about the Church. It is interesting. She has the dilemma of looking at her own church (Catholic) which recently declared it is the only true church on the earth and at the Church Jesus Christ and the Father have testified is the Church they have restored to complete the Father’s work before the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. Her handshake is becoming more firm and she is showing more interest in everything, not just the Church.

This Tuesday they face a second move in 2 months at their advanced age. They are amazing people. This has been a difficult time at best and to include weekly meetings with us has been humbling for us. They certainly have had every excuse to simply say, “We have no time right now”.

Our vagabond friend, Gunther Jindre, showed up at Church last Sunday. After almost all of the members were gone one member approached him as he was talking with the young elders and feeling Mr. Jindre was less than friendly told him he didn’t need to come to the Church or be around the members any more. That was a moment that would have derailed most people from ever even talking with another member in the Church. Instead, he made an appointment with the bishop and met with the bishop and the member who had spoken so harshly with him on Wednesday and told us yesterday he was content with how the bishop had handled things on Wednesday and he would see us in Church tomorrow. There is truly room for everyone who wants to do better in the Church of Jesus Christ. We hope this coming week he will have regained enough strength spiritually to once again allow himself to be taught how the gospel of Jesus Christ can change his life for the better.

Whew! Tough week! Mom whopped me good in 3 to 13 the other night. Yesterday we stopped across the street and each had a “Doener” for lunch. It is like pita bread sandwich that you need two hands to hold it with. Mom still prefers a bun with a meat patty and a little cheese and a few French fries. When I went to bed last night mom was sitting up in bed with her German language study materials in hand and she was hard at it. All day yesterday she had been asking details about how you pronounce certain words and is this the meaning of a certain word or what does that word mean. Sister Kempe asked her to be more involved in our discussions. She really relies on mom. Mom is a great companion and is working hard every day to be the best missionary she can. Life couldn’t be better for us. In a little over six months we will be ready to be home again. Nothing will ever take the place of family in our hearts and in our lives.

We will miss President Faust. He is a great leader and Heavenly Father needed him more on the other side. It is always a miracle how smooth changes in Church leadership take place. We are thankful for the strength we feel from those who preside over and guide us. We know they love our Father in Heaven and are obedient to the counsel and guidance He gives them in our behalf.

Have a good week.

Love always,

Dad

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