I am a beautiful, wonderful child of God!…and so are you!

Yahoo! First outing after weeks and weeks.. and.. did I mention weeks of quarantine. Lunch and shopping in Devonport. I sure do love and appreciate these sisters who make a pretty fun and remarkable bubble!
This is Valda. She is 84, fun and spunky! She is a member of our Auckland ward that we have been asked to visit. She has a hard time coming to church meetings. Today was the first time we have been able to visit her since the pandemic lock down. She is half Maori and half Polynesian,  although she looks European.  She calls herself half Haka and half Hula! It was fun to visit her today.

Written by Carter: As the restrictions related to the pandemic are lifting, it was good to see and hear students playing soccer at the school across the street from our flat. Things had been so quiet here for so long that it was kinda “eerie.”

A doctor I met in South America called me to ask for advice about a missionary who was suicidal. The doctor knew about Ashton. He said something very kind: “There are others I could have called about the next steps to take…but I knew that you would help me bring compassion to those steps.” It was good to hear from that doctor/friend again!  

I am taking the “40-Day Joy Challenge” again. On one of the days, I was reminded that I am a beautiful, wonderful child of God! I am a kid of The King!…and so are you! What a liberating thought that is!   

We had a nice discussion with the two senior sister missionaries for our “home Sunday School” today. The topic was “I can be a positive influence in my community.” The Holy Ghost invited me to repent and do better. He reminded me that “…contention…is of the devil…;” that “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile…;” that the priesthood is not something I “put on” (like a cloak) when officiating in the ordinances of the gospel, but something I “wear” all the time and that my thoughts, words and actions should reflect the Savior’s influence in my life at all times and in all places; that I can disagree without being disagreeable; that the “collective wisdom” of society is usually better than my own opinions and perspectives by themselves. Other people bring experiences and perspectives that are valuable. I can learn from them, even if I don’t agree with them. Their different opinions don’t make them dishonest or ignorant; they just see things differently than I do. What a blessing to live (when not on a mission) in the United States of America, where we govern ourselves through a democratic republic! It gets kinda messy sometimes, but it’s still the best form of government when compared to all others; it’s the best humankind can do until the One Perfect King (Jesus Christ) comes to reign personally upon the earth.

We had another WhatsApp video lesson with our Venezuelan “son,” his wife and son who are living in Peru. What a blessing to be involved as they learn the gospel! The pandemic has been hard for them, but I think it has blessed them by allowing them to slow down and study the gospel. They had some great questions when we met! There are still restrictions in Peru that prevent their being baptized. Prayers!

I heard these two quotes this week:

  1. “My faith is based on trust and not on blessings.”
  2. “For the simplicity on this side of complexity, I wouldn’t give you a fig. But for the simplicity on the other side of complexity, for that I would give you anything I have.” (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.) My take: while we all face challenges in life, one of the positive byproducts is the opportunity to choose the direction we will take our lives on “the other side” of those problems. Many times, the answers lie in the simplicity of trust in God and His plan for our lives. That is a deliberate choice we have the opportunity to make.

I solemnly proclaim that God, the Father, gave us the divine gift, the incomparable life and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Divine Son, Jesus Christ.

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4 thoughts on “I am a beautiful, wonderful child of God!…and so are you!”

  1. Great message Carter. Both of you look very happy and that you are enjoying your mission. May God continue to bless both of you.

    Much love,
    Ron Byrd

    • Thanks, Ron. Yes, we are having a wonderful mission! Blessings to you and your family, as well!

  2. “Many times, the answers lie in the simplicity of trust in God and His plan for our lives. That is a deliberate choice we have the opportunity to make”.
    What a great statement. This is exercising faith! I feel I show my trust in God and His plan when I don’t worry over the choices my girls are or are not making that have eternal consequences. It’s not easy, but I know in the end it will all work out. Every knee will bend, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ.

    • Thanks, Kristy. Yes, parenthood is hard sometimes, isn’t it?! We just have to keep trusting God, don’t we?

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