May 31st Week 34  Spirit and Fire  Layton Utah Week 24 (T6 - Trainer DL W/Gibson)

皆さん!

Hope you all are doing well!

On this Memorial Day, I wanted to take a moment to thank those that have served our country, no matter in what capacity. But I wanted to especially thank those that paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can remain free.

My poetry is a little rusty but it's fun to write again for a little bit! Here you go:

Brave and true, the thin line stood

With heart in hand, where no one could

When silence rang with lion's roar

They testified of freedom borne. 

They watched the setting sun that day

With hope in promised futures laid

For now their journey's final end

Had come, so none would needless bend. 

Does still their story fall untold? 

Have yet their praises fallen cold? 

Will life continue silently

Unrecognizing souls yet grieved? 

So let our hearts remain in tune

And soul ring out with song anew. 

For those that died for sorrow's fall

Let us remember, now, for all. 

So when that sun with freedom rings

Ascending, bright on phoenix wing

Shall we remember those that die

To grant us freedom now to rise? 

This week has been something of a miracle run. So many miracles happening as we have the faith to see them - and so many coincidences that have happened that can't just be coincidence. But at the same time, the tempests and trials have continued to grow. Our faith has been strengthened, but that doesn't mean it wasn't hard! 

Wednesday was sort of our miracle run! We were able to talk to a ton of nonmembers and get our name out there we shared scriptures with them and they were well received, though they weren't interested. But we'll continue to make as much contact as we can - hopefully we'll be able to see their hearts turn soon! 

Thanks to you all for your get will wishes - I'm all better and getting going! 

It's interesting to see how involved the Lord is in our lives. We had an experience this week after Elder Gibson got his second dose of the vaccine. We decided to do a little bit of a proactive walk - walking about the neighborhood and sharing scriptures with whoever we meet. We felt a pretty strong prompting to take one street… but didn't see a single soul. And then on top of that, we were prompted to take another street that would have looped us back to where we started! 

We were confused… but we went forth with faith. We have sort of a motto between the two of us; if it might be a prompting, and it's good, then pursue it - as much and as best as you can. 

We found one of the Sisters in the ward on a little bit of a stroll - and we got to talk to her for a while and walk with her. Her name is Sister Stahle - she's a blind widow, but has lived in this street for long enough to know where everything is, and she can see contrast… but that's about it. But she later confessed that the person she was going to go with couldn't make it, but she wanted to go out and walk because she wanted the sun and exercise. She was nervous and worried - and she related that she had asked Heavenly Father to send her someone to help her. 

"Thank you," she smiled sweetly. "You were my ministering angels today. Remember that when you feel like you're not doing anything special… You've been in exactly the right place at exactly the right time today. And that's because you were following the Spirit of the Lord. You were my blessing, today." She sniffled quietly. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

It was humbling. We've been checking in on her regularly for a while now… she's an amazing woman, and courageous as anyone I've ever met - and she's one of the sharpest people I've ever met, and she's nearly 87! Bless her heart for sure. She's wonderful. 

The Lord works miracles in our lives, whether we realize it or not. As we trust in Him and seek to have Him guide our thoughts and will, He will never lead us astray. He is our rock and our redeemer - our hope, our deliverer, our all. No matter what happens - no matter where we may be - if we reach out, He will always be there. 

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

7 For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.

8 But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.

9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.

Have faith. Look for the hand of the Lord. He will always be with us, if we just believe - both with us, and with our loved ones on both sides of the veil. 

Take care, everyone - you all are amazing! 

Elder Decker

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