Today, we had a great district meeting with all six of us missionaries in Battipaglia. Our district leader, Elder Gemell, has just been transferred here a couple of weeks ago. He is Maori from New Zealand. He is solid ... both physically and spiritually. Both he and his companion served in the military before coming on their missions.
So today, the theme of our district meeting, was war! Paul and I arrived last and as we entered the building, the other four missionaries rose up on their feet and saluted us. That's not how they usually greet us, but we thought they were just being funny. But the salute was just an introduction to our lesson today. We had a great lesson on how to win this war each of us is in against Satan. Elder Rasband shared several verses from Alma, and we talked about the strategies we need to win this war. each need to plan in advance and prepare ourselves, our members, investigators, and families, on what we need to do to beat and prohibit Satan and his poisonous darts from getting us. If we are not planning in advance, we have no hope of coming out the Victor. Satan, wants us to be miserable like he is. He doesn't want us to choose the right. He wants us to not worry about anything. He hopes that we will let our guard down, so that he can march right in and take over. We need to be vigilant and tenacious everyday.
I learned a good lesson today about our companionships and relationships with others from the letters Moroni sent to Pahoran. Remember how he accused Pahoran of not sending aid and helping his armies. He pretty much called him a traitor and blamed him for the deaths and injuries of his soldiers, and for loosing a couple of cities to the Lamanites. Pahoran was in big trouble himself, in Zarahemla, unbeknownst to Moroni. The King men were overtaking the government and Pahoran was unable to help himself, let alone Moroni and his army.
I have heard this story many times and really thought it was an example of how to forgive others when they say bad things about us. And that is kind of right, but there's more. It teaches us about communication and seeking to understand others before we accuse them, or get mad at them. Sometimes, when things go wrong in life, and there is more stress or obstacles than we can handle on our own, we need the help of others. We assume they understand our needs, and if they don't help us, or respond to us, as we think they ought to, we get offended and angry. But really, everyone is fighting a hard battle. We don't know what they are going through and if we don't seek to understand them first or explain where we are in need, how we can help them or allow them to help us. Read chapters 60-62 of Alma for this story, and see what you learn about communicating with your spouse and children.
We have eaten at Donna Sofia's with the missionaries this past week.
I learned a good lesson today about our companionships and relationships with others from the letters Moroni sent to Pahoran. Remember how he accused Pahoran of not sending aid and helping his armies. He pretty much called him a traitor and blamed him for the deaths and injuries of his soldiers, and for loosing a couple of cities to the Lamanites. Pahoran was in big trouble himself, in Zarahemla, unbeknownst to Moroni. The King men were overtaking the government and Pahoran was unable to help himself, let alone Moroni and his army.
I have heard this story many times and really thought it was an example of how to forgive others when they say bad things about us. And that is kind of right, but there's more. It teaches us about communication and seeking to understand others before we accuse them, or get mad at them. Sometimes, when things go wrong in life, and there is more stress or obstacles than we can handle on our own, we need the help of others. We assume they understand our needs, and if they don't help us, or respond to us, as we think they ought to, we get offended and angry. But really, everyone is fighting a hard battle. We don't know what they are going through and if we don't seek to understand them first or explain where we are in need, how we can help them or allow them to help us. Read chapters 60-62 of Alma for this story, and see what you learn about communicating with your spouse and children.
We have eaten at Donna Sofia's with the missionaries this past week.
Anziano Rasband received his birthday package from his Mom. He was pretty happy to get it!
We went to the train station this morning with the sisters, to say goodbye to one of our English students, and our dear friend Federica. She is going to England, where she has a job, and where she was for several months last year. She is the sister to our dear Martina. They both are such such dear girls. We love them to pieces.
Bye bye Federica. Ci vediamo presto, quando viene a Star Valley. Buona fortuna.
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