March 29th  Week 25 - By Their Works, Layton Utah Week 15 (T3)

皆さん! 

 

Hope everything is going well! Thank you to those that tuned into the Easter Program yesterday - it means a lot! If you missed it, my dad posted the recording on his Facebook page, so feel free to listen if you'd like!

 

... Also, I'll be performing again in two weeks, this time in the Orchards Ward. It'll be at the same time (8:00am PST/9:00am MST), so feel free to come watch! It'll be a different song and arrangement than the one yesterday, but hopefully you all will still enjoy! 

 

How have you all been? It's been good to hear from a couple of you - it sounds like you all are doing well! Feel free to shoot me an email if you ever want to talk - I can only respond on P-Days (Mondays) but I'll try my best to respond to everyone! 

 

We've had a busy week of service and teaching - and it's been amazing to see the miracles that come as a result. I'll touch on a couple of our favorites:

 

Farmington is in full spring cleaning mode, and with just two weeks until the pickup, everyone has been taking advantage of the weather here. We've seen more people outside and in their gardens than we have ever seen before. And with that comes some opportunities to serve!

 

An Elders Quorum Counselor in one of our ward's MCM's (a weekly meeting discussing the missionary efforts in the ward) suggested that he maybe had some service for us to do with him and his nonmember neighbor. We were more than happy to! 

 

But keep in mind - When we were handing out cookies in late December, we stopped by his house where he looked at us through the crack in the door, took the cookies we had made for him, said "thank you" and promptly shut the door.

 

But as we talked to him to set everything up, it turns out he's quite friendly! We were able to work closely with him, checking in whenever we'd finish a section and talking with him whenever we had a chance. At the end of it all, we had really grown to like him a lot. And so we testified of the restored Gospel, and promised him he would see his departed wife again - and he smiled and said, "I know I will. She's probably sick of waiting for me."

He's of another fairh, but he said he would be more than willing to talk religion with us this upcoming week. He's currently checking his schedule, but he said he'd be more than willing - and so hopefully we'll be able to talk to him and show him what we believe as well! We'll take what he has and make it better. Add onto it. If we believe enough, we know the Spirit can change his heart.

 

We also did service for another nonmember - who was more than willing to have us help. He wasn't interested, and his wife is an inactive member, but we're slowly breaking down those misconceptions that he may have. We're setting up more with them this week as well, hopefully!

 

In addition to that, we were able to do service for an inactive member of one of our wards. After two divorces with not so great members a few years ago, she has held a long distance between both her and the Church, and men in general for the past few years. And yet, when her daughter moved in to live with her, she allowed the elders quorum to help - and even after that, she allowed us and our ward mission leader to help her clear an area to make a raised bed for a gardening space! We got to know her and talk to her a while - and we've really built a much better relationship with her. We're going back soon to help her plant some vegetables!

 

And one of the inactive families we've been teaching has finally made progress! We visited them with a member family, who they really helped to answer this inactive family's questions and bolster their faith. They were previously their ministers, meaning they would check in on them and make sure they're doing okay, but after the changes just recently they're not anymore. But that relationship is still there - and we were able to bolster that relationship. 

And then the next Sunday, one of them was asked to play the piano for the Easter Program - so they came to church! In fact, she was the one that volunteered me to play, haha. It was a beautiful arrangement of Abide With Me / Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide. And she had arranged it herself! It was amazing. We had a good discussion on how it went, and if they're willing, we're working on getting them the link to conference. Exciting stuff!

 

Oh, and we also received a referral from a member while we were walking back from district council. One of their friends has decided to take the discussions, and so we'll be able to start teaching them next Monday! Miracles never cease.

 

Those have been the highlights of our week! It's amazing how much the Lord is willing to do the more we have faith in Him. As we do, miracles await!

 

Speaking of miracles, I'm honestly so grateful we are able to hear from living prophets and apostles this weekend! They'll be talking about a myriad of topics, all focused on bringing us closer to each other and to Christ. Even if you're not a member of the church, the principles we learn there are applicable to all people - and for Christians of any denomination, the principles we are taught are all centered on Christ's teachings and serve to not only teach us how to best live our lives, but also how to come closer and draw nearer unto Christ!

 

You all are amazing - take care! Hope to talk to you all soon!

 

Elder Decker

デッカー長老

 March 22nd - Week 24 - Clouds and Summershine Layton Utah Week 14 (T2)

皆さん!

(I'm performing a piano piece for Compton Bench Ward's Easter program next Sunday at 9:00am MDT [8:00am PDT]! It'll be broadcast at http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/farmingtonutahnorthstake - navigate to the Compton Bench Ward and enter your name to join the broadcast. You won't need a camera or a microphone, or even a sign up - just have to put your name down and view the broadcast!)

So, uh, hi!

When I started my mission, I told myself, "I'm going to write an email every single week - not for myself, but to keep everyone up-to-date if they wanted to read it!"

Looks like life had different plans.

Last Sunday as I was working on it alongside some other things, my phone froze... then restarted. It asked me to enter the password for the phone, which I did (correctly - with a black screen and white text, I made darn sure of that)... before it froze on verifying, restarted, and then wiped my phone.

To be honest, it's kind of on brand. You all probably know how unlucky I can be sometimes - leave it to me to find the one bug in our monitoring software that'll trigger the phone wipe. Maybe I should become a white cap hacker just because I'll accidentally stumble on a server-breaking bug. Who knows?

Anyways, that email kind of sputtered and died. So now I'm here! Two weeks to report on, so I'll go through this pretty quickly.

Lots of service! As the days have begun to warm up, we're starting to see a lot of people out and about. People in Farmington love to garden, so we're really excited to serve them and help them out there! We've been able to get in contact with some people that we haven't been able to in the past three months, so we're excited to talk to them and get to know them - one of which, for example, we're doing service for a older gentleman, a nonmember who's really nice, cleaning up a shared garden between him and one of our elders quorum counselors (he's in our missionary correlation meetings every week)! In addition, we've set up some inspired walks that have been nearly a month in the making. We're looking forward to meeting some new people that way, as well - and hopefully, we can start getting some nonmember teaching opportunities going again!

Our favorite inactive family is progressing well! One of the things we've been able to set up is for Wednesday, where we're going to be teaching them a lesson with one of the members in the ward. Missionaries are transient - we're rarely in an area longer than six months before we get moved - and so we really want to make sure they have a good support system. The family we're going to be working with has been ministering to them (regularly checking up on them and helping them) for a long while before the recent ministering reassignments, so they have a really good relationship with them. Hopefully this'll be the start of a gospel trust, as well! We really want them to feel comfortable asking questions to either them or us - that's the goal! We're excited for them - they're both amazing families, and so we're really looking forward to this!

Last week and this week, we've had the opportunity to go on inspired walks with a newly ordained elder in the Quail Flight Ward, reporting to the MTC in May. He's heading off to Uruguay, which is exciting as heck. But he reached out to us - actually, pulled over on the side of the road while we were walking - and asked if we could help him prepare!

It was a lot of fun! Two Saturdays ago we took him to the farthest reach of our area (not really saying much bc it was like a mile away) and talked to a new member as well as checking in on some of the older, more lonely people in the wards we cover, and two days ago we did some role plays on different situations in our companionship study and then did the same thing in the other half of the stake! We had a lot of fun - and had some amazing experiences. We felt prompted - Elder Cope especially - to knock on one family's door (which we can do with a member with us!). After talking to them for a bit and sharing a thought, we asked if there was anything we could do for them or their neighbors. "Well," one of them said, hand thrumming on his phone, "We actually have a nonmember coming over tonight for a little get together-party-thing. If you all wanted to come along, we could introduce you!"

Miracles happen as we go forward with faith. I've seen that so many times on my mission already. It's wonderful to know the Lord loves each of us, and wants us to truly be happy above all. He is there. He knows us. And if we have the faith to act, and act in faith, He will provide for us.

One of the examples I'm reminded of is in 3 Nephi 13. Here, just as Christ had ministered unto the people of Israel, Christ is ministering unto the Nephites - descendants of a Jewish family who immigrated to the Americas over six hundred years prior. Through maintaining their records and scriptures, they were able to continue to have faith generation after generation, and despite wars and contentions with another faction of their family, the Lamanites, they remained largely righteous and faithful in keeping the Law of Moses in the land until their downfall.
But just as Christ ministered to the faithful Jews, Christ also appeared to them because of their faith. As they were not able to be in Jerusalem at the time Christ was amongst them, Christ loved them just as much as He did any one of us.
And if He truly did, would He not provide instruction for them just as He did the Jews?
And so within these chapters, Jesus recounts and summarizes many of the teachings that He gave unto the people of Capernaum, Galilee, and Jerusalem. For those of you who are familiar with the New Testament, the Nephites are amongst some of those of His other flock which He spoke of in John 10. 
On top of that, the following should perhaps sound rather familiar to you... 

26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

This is a recounting of a portion of the Sermon on the Mount that the Nephites and Lamanites were unable to receive. There are slight variations, but much of it is verbatim. What I love about these verses is the idea that the Lord knows us and what we need. Heavenly Father knows us and what we need. And not only that - They knows that at times, we can be the light that others need most of all.

Ultimately, as any parent would want for their child, Heavenly Father wants His children to have happiness.

He wants all of us to be happy.

If we are listening to Them, They will guide us. We will be able to bless others and help them - sometimes, in ways we don't expect.

When missionaries talk about being instruments in the Lord's hands, it's because ultimately, the Lord knows each and every one of us, and knows exactly what we need. How? Prior to His crucifixion, Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for the sins of the world. How? In order to atone for the sins of the world, He needed to know when we were truly repentant.

That meant understanding exactly how we feel. Not only our thoughts... but the feelings of our heart. If He knew that, He could know if we were truly repentant of our sins. He could say to the Father at the time of judgment, "They have truly changed."

And so, in that quiet garden on that quiet evening, Christ bore every emotion each of us ever faced. Every joy. Every sorrow. Every heartache. Every smile.

He bore it all willingly. Was He scared? Absolutely. He begged the Father if there was any other way, that He would do it.

But this was the only way He could truly know us - He had to feel our emotions, our very lives - all for Himself.

In Alma 7:11-13 in the Book of Mormon, Alma the Younger describes it as such:

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

I'd like to add my testimony to that of Alma's - that we are never alone. The Lord is there. He knows us. He loves us. And through His Spirit, we can feel His guidance and direction as we truly seek it with a sincere heart.
He lives! He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane so He could know exactly how we feel. That way, He could know exactly how to help us. Whether that be prompting someone to go your way, or sending feelings of comfort and love... He is there. I know because I've felt it for myself.

Any of us can. If we kneel in a quiet room, asking Heavenly Father sincerely in the name of Jesus Christ if He lives - if They live - and love us... I promise you that you will gain your answer.

Feeling that prompting on that walk was just one small evidence of the love that I could feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us.

If I could leave you all with anything, that is what I would leave you with.

Take care, everyone! Have a fantastic week! You all are amazing!

Elder Decker
デッカー長老

 

March 8th Week 22- Sunshine and Spring Signs: Transfers Layton Utah Week 12

皆さん!

 

Hope you all are doing well! I don't know what it's like where you all are, but here in Utah, spring's arrived in full force! Consistent 65 degrees, warm sun, a sweet smell on the breeze... it's been pretty picturesque.

 

We tried our best to make the most of it! And that meant a lot of service for others! 

 

Every single day seemed like we were doing some type of service for someone. Pruning ivy, weeding, raking, kid proofing cars, and taking out Russian olive trees... it was a lot of fun! For the most part, we were doing these things for those who couldn't do it for themselves. One sister in particular - she's amazing and wonderful! - is a little bit older, and has struggled with cancer for the past ten years. She's finally beating it back, but the treatments have left her weaker than she really would like. Her husband has health concerns of his own, as well... so they're not able to do a lot.

 

We had the privilege of being able to go and do some of the yard work she needed done - she has a beautiful backyard with terraced pathways up a hill, but it's unkempt and tree saplings threatened to break down the structures. We helped take the saplings and wild grasses out, and with a little bit of extra time, we pruned the ivy holding the walls together.

 

It wasn't a professional job by any means, but we tried our best! And to see her face when she came out to check on us, and seeing the joking smile she usually have shift to a look of absolute wonder and surprise... it made all that hard work worth it.

"No one has done this, for..." She sniffled, a small, heartfelt smile spreading across her face. "No one has done this for over five years. Thank you. Thank you so much."

 

She tried her hardest to try and give us something in return, but we had to politely decline due to COVID rules on the mission... but seeing her reaction, and knowing we had done something that truly helped her feel calm and peace and joy? That was all we could ask for.

 

That was more than payment enough.

 

We also went and did service for an older woman - a widow who, despite walking with a cane and a limp, and slowly at that, she insisted on helping us, when we were just trying to help her! I edged out her concrete trim while Elder Cope raked her leaves (with her help) and helped weed some of her gardens. Seeing her satisfied smile and laughter behind the mask made the work go quickly - and as it turns out, I really enjoyed it! Haven't quite gotten to gardening with people yet - just details around it and a little bit of weeding - but I think I'm starting to realize I've inherited a love for it from my parents... (Thanks Mom and Dad!) 

 

And then on Friday, we started helping clear goatheads from a less active member's yard (and meeting their rescue dog!) and helping spray weed killer down so they can start planting grass. After that, we ate a quick lunch and went down to help another widow in our ward with raking up some pine needles in her yard! She told us of some exciting news with one of her neighbors, and that they might be curious to hear about the Gospel, so that was cool! Immediately following that, we hiked all the way up 1100 N to help with the Russian olive tree I mentioned earlier. "Gnarly stuff," as Elder Cope said. Inch to inch and a half thorns... pierced through Elder Cope's shoe sole (and soul, apparently) and got his foot pretty good. But it was great! Two people there - Brother Miller and another one of her friends - worked together to cut out the roots and tear it out. She came out and thanked us, talking for just a bit before she had to run back inside. But I think it was good contact - hopefully if she needs anything else, we can help out!

 

And then later that night, after we had thought everything was done, one of the former Bishop's in the area asked us if we could help move a piano down to his basement. Happy and eager to help, we finished our lessons and headed there straight away. It was a five man job - him, his son-in-law, our Elder's Quorum President, and us. It was fun! Thank heavens for piano dollies - we honestly just had to get it down two steps outside and then roll it down to the door on the lower level. But it was fun! We ended up sharing a message with all of them on Jacob 2 and Matthew 15 - talking about how the things that we are given are to be used for helping others just as much - if not more - than ourselves, and then tying it into how Christ was mourning the loss of John the Baptist at the time the 5,000+ people came to him. And yet, he took the time to heal them and strengthen them, and even feed them when they could have easily turned away. (I think I've shared that chapter and context with you all before!)

 

Other than that, it was a lot of lessons! We've actually been having really packed schedules! Our Missionary Correlation Meetings, a meeting with our ward mission leaders as well as representatives from all of the auxiliary groups throughout the church (except from the young children), have really been working with us to set up lessons with these last few people we haven't been able to contact. They've also been nice enough to go on some more inspired walks with us! Really great stuff - they're amazing!

 

Oh yeah, it was also my companion's birthday, so that was cool! Go wish him a late happy birthday! 

 

In other news... tomorrow is transfers, where missionaries are shuffled around the mission based on need and inspiration from the Lord. Transfer board is posted at 2-3pm... so we don't know what's going to happen. I finish my training tomorrow, and traditionally trainers get moved out and a new missionary is put into the area. Elder Cope is a district leader, though (all the missionaries in a five area radius report to him), so we'll see what ends up happening, right? Whatever it is... I trust in the Lord. (edit: we found out - see later in the email) 

 

The message I'd like to share today is out of Ephesians 3 - one of my favorite chapters and sections of scripture in the entire standard works:

"Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

 

Here, Paul is writing to the Ephesians - giving them words of encouragement amidst their afflictions as newly converted saints. And yet, Paul recognized their steadfastness and faith - and seeks to strengthen them. My testimony echoes that of Paul's - that the Lord knows us. He lives! And as we look to Him, and try our best to live our lives as He did and does - reaching out to others in love, kindness, and joy, granting hope unto others... we can find ourselves strengthened, too. It's almost paradoxical - how on earth do we gain strength by using it to help others? 

As we do as He has asked, and as we show kindness to others and do those things, the Lord will bless us immeasurably. Though He and Heavenly Father want to help us, they cannot physically be with us - they reside in Heaven. And so oftimes, They ask us to be Their hands - blessing others as much as we can. 

And yet, They do not simply expect it. They want to help, so they not? And so they can strengthen us. Help us become better. Help us become stronger. And we find in helping others that we are helped in turn. 

 

I've seen that all through my mission - and besides, seeing people filled with joy? That's something that, to me, always has been and always will be priceless. 

 

I apologize for the late email today! As today is transfers, we spent almost all of today with the district. We went on a hike that was incredibly icy at parts, played four square with a makeshift court at the Compton Bench building, and went to Fiiz, as missionaries on P-Day do. Though everyone else in the district is staying, we're losing two of our missionaries here - Sister Burgin, who's going home, and Elder Brunson, who's getting ready to head back to Mexico in a week. So we spent as much time as we could together - it was a lot of fun! Going to miss them - but the new missionaries coming in sound super cool, too! But we'll always remember this band of eight we've had this past transfer - between call ins, memes, and district activities, it's been a great transfer! 

 

Here's to the bright future for all of us ahead! 

 

 

Love you all! Stay safe and enjoy the first beginnings of spring... if they've come yet, I guess.

 

You all are amazing! Take care! 

Elder Decker

デッカー長老

 

(p.s. the picture of the terrace was before we cleaned it up - my companion has the finished picture...) 

March 1st Week 21 - Growth of Faith and Friendships: Layton Utah Week 11

 皆さん! 

 Hope everyone is doing well and having fun! Anything exciting planned for this week? For us, we have new lessons! We were able to meet two different nonmembers this past week that both are showing interest in the Church! We actually learned about one of them from one of the other missionaries in another district - they moved into our area and though their daughter was baptized, they haven't been. We've been trying for literally a month and a half to try to get in contact with them, but they're barely by their phone and doesn't respond to texts very readily if it's from someone they don't know. So we decided that each time we were in the neighborhood with a member of the church, we would try and stop by (knocking at the door and then quickly walking back six to ten feet). Two weeks ago, we were finally able to get in contact with them (and they apologized for not responding very readily haha) and set up a lesson just this week. Really exciting! 

 The second we encountered while also walking in the neighborhood - we actually didn't know who was living at that house and didn't have any records there, so we decided to go with a member to get to know them. They answered the door and we were able to talk for a while about them, who the are, and what it was like to move in during COVID and things like that. We exchanged numbers, and two nights ago we were able to call and set up a discussion with them about their beliefs and hopefully we'll be able to find some common ground there! Other than that, we're getting close to having met with all the members in the five wards that we cover (around ~125-150 each!), so that's really exciting news! It's just trying to get in contact with people who aren't responding to texts or calls... we'll keep trying! But honestly, being able to teach these lessons is such a blessing. I know that being able to meet with the Elders regularly before my mission really helped me to prepare and learn a ton - and so though it's a little different than missionary preparation, I know that being able to meet together and share a message of hope can really bring a lot of light to people. 

We have a few people that we're regularly meeting with - one of which is an older woman named Sister Stahle. I may have mentioned her before, but she's blind - and can't really use technology well as a result. On top of that, she's at high risk due to her age, and so she hasn't been able to really be in contact with anyone at all. But she is one of the most optimistic and happy people I've ever met. Despite her struggles and circumstances, she's wonderful and loving and kind. And she's incredibly wise, too! I have a ton of quotes written down from her - here's one of my favorites: "I can't go back to the world I was born into and I can't go into the world I'm going to. I don't belong in the world I was born into and can't function in it, and I can't go into a world that I can function in! So if you've got anything magnificent you're going to do, go do it - if not, I'll be here to cheer you up and on." 

 I have so many quotes I've written down from her and some of the other people we've been able to meet recently. It's been wonderful to hear their stories, and to bond together over the Gospel. And many of these people have other issues, compounded with age. And yet, they stand so strong and resilient, despite it all. It's inspiring to see - and they each have testified that s they've believed and done their best to help other people, they've been able to see miracles. They've been strengthened. And they've felt an overwhelming love from a Heavenly Father and Savior who are cognizant of their needs and want to do everything that They can to help. It's incredible and humbling - and being able to help some of these people over the phone or with zoom, to help them feel comfort and peace when their lives are in such turmoil and stress and loneliness... it's an amazing feeling. It's a feeling that I've always wanted from being able to serve - and one I've felt every day since. 

 Sorry for the short email this week! Today is going to be a little bit crazy because it's the second to last week of transfers, and one of the Sister Training Leaders in our district is going home next week. So we're going out and playing pickleball (only the most Utah of sports) today - and so we're a little strapped for time, unfortunately. 

But I'm glad I was able to email you all and reach out in what time I did have! You all are amazing - take care, and stay safe! Take care of one another and each other, okay? Cheers! 

Elder Decker デッカー長老

Feb 22nd Weak 20 - Perspective in Serenity Layton Utah Week 10 

皆さん! How has everyone been? Do anything exciting? Hopefully staying dry and warm! I'd love to say we did some grand and exciting thing this week, but unfortunately that isn't the case. Every day pretty much consisted of us finishing up the goal the stake set out for us - meet with every member of the stake - or at least, every one that will accept it. Our MCM's (missionary Correlation meeting members) have been working really hard with us to make sure we are getting in contact with as many people as possible before we try other avenues, so it's been a lot of fun! ... Well, as fun as calling people for four hours every day is. But it's okay! We're getting a lot of responses, so it's been good. But even if people are responding, most people have set up appointments for the following week (this week) so even though this week is going to be hectic, it meant we didn't have too many lessons last week... Just Monday and Tuesday. But we were booked from 1:00 to 8:30, so that was nice. The end of the week ended up being us doing a lot of work with our sheets. Organization is what wins the day! They were really good lessons, though! We're getting to know quite a few people in the ward, even more so than before, so that's been a huge blessing! Oh, also! One of our favorite families we've been able to teach is truly growing in faith. Really, truly, learning to love the Gospel again. It's been absolutely amazing to see - and seeing the light start to return to their eyes has been magical! And yet, it's the most bizarre series of events. We've been trying to meet with them for the past few days, but starting on Friday, they've had a ton of things going on. It started with work swamping the both of them, so the weekdays were off. Saturday they had a family emergency, and Sunday one of them got rushed to the hospital because of a kidney stone... I don't know whether they're avoiding us or if Satan has just thrown as much as he can at them to stop them from progressing. We just don't know. All we can do is pray until we meet with them again... In other news, today we were finally allowed to do outside activities as a district! So that was really fun! We played kickball! \o/ We also had ward conference for Orchards Ward yesterday! That was a lot of fun! One of my favorite quotes was from President Barfuss - "What we do here lingers on in the heart... for years and generations and a life to come." I think it's a poignant reminder that life is not meant for just ourselves. President Nelson mentioned a word, myopic, that I think is a little bit related - a word that means shortsightedness, a lack of perspective or scope, and has recently been added to my list of words to use in poems, alongside petrichor and aspersion. But in all seriousness, I've seen so much already on my mission that shows me that giving with all of our hearts, especially when we are struggling, that makes all the difference. And we've seen not only in our lives, but in the lives of others, that when we choose to reach out in charity - the pure love of Christ - when we are feeling the worst, that is when it truly becomes consecrated, and means the most. And it feels as if the Lord Himself is strengthening us, and helping us as we help others. We've had times where people have looked at us after we've told them what scripture to read, and they'll either say, "I was just reading out of this, and I wanted to know a little more," or "This is exactly the message that we needed. How did you know?" The truth is that we didn't know. But if we lead with our heart, and listen to the Spirit, willing to act on its promptings and building trust with Him, the Lord will provide us with the direction, through the Spirit, on what we should share and how we can help. But by helping others and looking beyond ourselves - truly wanting to serve because we truly love them and want them to become better - that makes all the difference. So go do a good deed today! Think of someone you'd like to help, or pray to identify one person you can uplift. I promise if you do so with real intent, trusting the Lord will answer your prayers and guide and direct you to that person, you will be able to be a blessing in their lives. We know that's true - and that is our testimony! Take care everyone! You all are amazing! Cheers, Elder Decker デッカー長老