Monday, 9 April 2018 ~ Week #37

Well hey there! How's your week been?

Well right now I am with Elder Sinto, who is from here in Guatemala (Quetzaltenango) and he is in his

last transfer,last 6 weeks, in the mission. But he is really using his time here to make progress! Most

missionaries would be a bit tired at this point in their mission, but he is working incredibly hard and

wants me to learn from him so I could have a happy and hardworking mission. He is truly an awesome

companion.

We had quite a few experiences this past week but there was a small one which I thought was pretty cool

which I'd like to share. Before receiving Elder Sinto, I was on the bus with Elder Reyes to a meeting and

saw a guy playing the left-hand ukulele. Those who know me well know that I have a little like in the

ukulele. We instantly started talking and he offered me to play. Instant buds. We only had 5 minutes to

talk but that was a cool little experience. I felt like I was reunited with a friend I had many years before.

Well anyway, I prayed to be able to meet with him again, because I felt something in our relationship we

started in those 5 minutes that makes me think that my Heavenly Father wants us to meet again. So my

companion and I were contacting a few houses trying to find some families to meet. We knocked a door,

asked if so-and-so lived in the house, and we were directed to one nearby. We opened the door we were

directed to, and it wasn't that family. It was my buddy from the bus! And he said he'd love to have us over

with his family to see his artwork (his hands had a bunch of paint so he's an artsy guy) and teach him. We

haven't met with him again yet, but that was just a small witness for me that Heavenly Father watches over

his children and knows how to put two of his children in one place.

So allow me to talk just a little on writing in a journal, because though I have been striving to do this every

day on the mission, my incentive was strengthened upon reading a few verses in the Book of Mormon.

1 And now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;
2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of

Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise

purpose that they are kept [...]
4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one

generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto

every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon. [...]
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple

things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

Alma and Helaman were a father and son working together as missionaries. Alma at the time had

possession of the plates, which contains the writings from which Mormon compiled his book. He wrote

many things, but knew that at some point he had to die, so he gave his son Helaman the plates to write

upon them. Why? To bring their children and grandchildren and so on to a knowledge of Christ, to

know his source of joy. It might seem "foolishness", even as Helaman probably thought, that putting

in the time to write in this family journal would have such an effect on the generations to come. But

Alma affirmed that by the small and simple things (like writing in the family journal) great things

(like the salvation of many souls) are come to pass.

It is very interesting, because journal writing really is a simple thing. It might be our way to cope

with problems, or to keep a record of our life, or a chance to understand ourselves, whatever. We

might not see much of a need to do it if life just passes by and we should enjoy the moment while

we have it. But I think there is something very important about writing in a journal, especially if we

want to strengthen our relationship with our Savior. Every single day of our lives, our Heavenly

Father blesses us in many different ways. These things happen, but perhaps we don't consider.

We can thus try to keep a sharper eye on these little blessings that we see throughout the day.

Perhaps the little things that the Lord does for us on a consistent basis don't seem that significant,

and perhaps writing these little things down don't seem to add up much to a product, but what

happens then? After even just a week of doing it, writing a little bit (5, 10 minutes) every night

or morning about how the hand of the Lord was present in our lives, and how grateful we feel

for it, we see that these little things add up to great things. We see that our Heavenly Father has

a plan for us, and the very act of writing a few sentences of gratitude over the course of a few

days helps us see that plan right before our eyes.

And I would just like to say that after having kept a journal for a long time, though not consistently

and every day, I am impressed by what God has done for me. My Heavenly Father truly loves me

and is watching over me. I see that He has a plan for me, and helps me, through the acts of

exercising faith on Him, repenting of my sins, keeping covenants, and following His Spirit, and

striving to help others do the same.

 

And I know that He has a plan for you. He blesses your life every day, and every day gives a

nudge to develop a stronger relationship with Him. He has given you many gifts and talents

which He desires you to use for the blessing of His other children, your brothers and sisters.

He has given you also many weaknesses, that you might come unto Him and ask for help, to

have yet more opporunities to see His hand in your life (Ether 12:27). I know that our Savior

Jesus Christ is joint-engaged in our Heavenly Father's desire to bring us back home to Him. Let

us do what we can to do just that, and seek to remember the path we take unto Him, from

whatever point we are,by writing about it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a spectacular week! And always count your blessings!

Elder Dredge

Elder Braden K. Dredge

Guatemala Guatemala City East Mission