August 16th Week 44 Temples and Tribulations Layton Utah Week 35(T6 Elder Roland)

皆さん!

 

...Hi.

 

It's been a crazy two weeks, as you all probably could have guessed from the lack of newsletter last week. Trying my best to catch up and keep up with everything, but with things starting to get rolling, life has a way of blowing everything up out of proportion.

 

I think the most significant event of the past week was the temple trip our district got to be a part of. And what a district this is! Everyone plays off each others' strengths really well, and we're all really close. We're calling every single night to check in and see how everyone's doing, and hang out most P-Days together. It's always a ton of fun - if you couldn't guess by the picture of Elder Barnes going full dad mode. Being a missionary doesn't mean we can't have fun as we do so! But of course, they're incredibly consecrated - and we've seen so many miracles as a district because of everyone's hard work and dedication to the Gathering of Israel.

 

So being able to go to the temple for the first time in nearly eight months with them was an honor and a blessing. The Bountiful Temple is beautiful - and the way it's constructed close to the top of the mountain, it makes it feel as if it's a castle on a hill, or a monastery overlooking the valley. It's beautiful.

 

And to be able to go and attend with this amazing group of Elders and Sisters... was a sacred privilege. Such peace and comfort therein... it's unimaginable.

 

I remember sitting after the session and glancing around - the beautiful chandeliers, casting lights like rainbows around the room, the beautiful gold and white, the paintings and symbolism for Jesus Christ... I remember thinking that this was the place - sacred ground where we make promises and swear covenants to the Lord. This was where we gain the power to weather the storms of life. This was where we are sealed to our families for time and all eternity - come life, come death.

 

The grave has no power - and we will all rise together.

 

"But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death. Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works..." (Mosiah 16:8-10)

 

With the delta variant ravaging the country once more, I realized that it might be a short while before I'll be able to attend again. Of course, missionary work and the Gathering of Israel takes precedent... But to keep that remembrance from the temple with us - the remembrance that Christ is at once within and without, on our right hand and on our left - that same feeling is what it means to be endowed with power. To have peace amidst storms. To have courage amidst fear. To have joy amidst sorrow.

 

That is what it means to have hope.

 

 

...But maybe enough prose for now. :)

 

Other than that, it's been a lot of service opportunities, rubbing shoulders with nonmembers, lots of walking and even more contacting. We have had a boatload of administrative work that we have to get done in the next little bit, so timelines are a little bit strained.

 

But we'll get there. With the Lord, we'll always get there eventually, right?

 

...Not much more to report on. It's been a lot of lessons and service appointments, and a lot of really cool opportunities. We taught a lesson to a seven year old preparing for baptism, so that was a lot of fun!

 

I'm grateful for all the miracles we've been able to see as we prioritize the work of the Lord. Many of them are tender mercies - yet others are grand miracles of coincidences we know for a fact weren't. As we have faith, I know we'll continue to see more - and not just a passive faith, but an active faith - the kind that gets you on your feet, the kind where you move forward with your ear tuned to the Spirit.

 

Let's all go forward with active faith in our lives this week.

 

You all are amazing - take care!

Elder Decker

デッカー長老