Elders,
Happy Thanksgiving! It seems like the weather decided to suddenly shift gears and make a statement. We can always use the water, but it does make it challenging to get around this holiday weekend. Please be safe as you travel to visit family and friends.
I just want to say thank you to each of you. I love having this opportunity to serve alongside each of you. I appreciate and love seeing the good things that go on in our ward community. We have had our share of ups and downs and you have all responded so positively and with great love and generosity. We have a wonderful and caring neighborhood and community.
Thanksgiving is a great holiday. It encourages us to turn our focus and give thanks for all the blessings that we have received. It isn’t that we turn a naked eye towards our challenges and difficulties. They are real. They are hard. They are painful. We all have them. We aren’t pretending that they no longer exist or that they will go away in an instant. Rather, it prompts us to lift our heads up, look around and take in a bigger picture and view. Even in our difficult circumstances there is good to be found and things to be thankful for.
You may be facing real giants. They are out there. I am sorry. We have many quorum members that are. Some of these giants are open and obvious, others are every bit as big, but aren’t visible externally. We are all in this together. If you are in need, reach out. If you see others in need, extend a hand, hug, and help where possible.
I love the story of the Jaredites traveling to the promised land. The story is short and contains many lessons for our lives (See Ether 6:1-13). They built boats and set off. They didn’t know how long the journey was going to take – a few days, a few weeks, years? They faced may troubles and hardships throughout and I am sure that it was more than a little daunting and scary. Once they arrived they gave thanks and praises to God, but I find verse 9 strategically placed between two verses of them being “driven forth”. It is simple and beautiful and shows their attitude as they were going through this challenge:
“And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yeah, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.” – Ether 6:9
I hope and pray that we can do the same.
I am grateful to my God for his plan of happiness and that Jesus Christ marked the path and led the way that we can all succeed in this game of life and return to our Heavenly home.
Here are the announcements (thanks to Kristine Pitts):
Home Study this week:
Nov 25 – Dec 1: 1 and 2 Peter “Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory”
Next week’s Sunday lesson:
Sunday School: James, 1 and 2 Peter
Announcements:
- Tithing Settlement is in progress. Schedule is posted on the ward clerk’s door.
- LightTheWorld.org website available, including the downloadable calendar and other inspirational videos.
- Dec 1 – Bishopric will be teaching the YM/YW during Sunday School. Youth Sunday School teachers will not need to prepare a lesson that day.
- Dec 4 (Wednesday) Young Women and Young Men combined. Meet at the clubhouse at 6:30 to go to Temple Square to see the lights.
- Dec 5 – Relief Society Christmas Dinner
- Dec 21 – Ward Christmas Breakfast
The Christmas season is officially kicked off with a big dose of Thanksgiving. It is a great way to start.
Love,
President Oldroyd
801-573-6828