I told Jed that he was not going to recognize the little area where we live because there is so much building going on. He seemed to relate to that and said regarding England, "Surprisingly, even though England is an old place, there's a ton of building that's going on here. Speaking of that, we got to go help a member on his farm the other day and he had us do some hard (at least for missionaries hard) labor, and it was SO FUN. We got to split probably a half-ton of logs with big axes. MUCH needed manual labor. He lives in a house that's heated by a wood burning stove, so that's what they were for. Super fun."
In addition to all the new homes in our area, the building of the Provo City Center Temple was recently completed. When a temple is finished being built - before it is used, it is dedicated to be a House of the Lord. It is a special time and often the veil between the heavens and the earth is thin. Both me and my wife shared our experiences of the dedication with Jed. He responded, "That temple is going to be so cool! I bet it's booked for the next year straight though. It'll definitely be buzzing for a little bit. You've got to tell me how it is when you get in there! I do remember the feelings of peace that I felt in the temple. I like what you said, "I am again reminded that there is so much more to this life than this life." It's really true, and I completely agree with you. There's a whole spiritual world around us, and it's real, and there for us to take part in! Having your soul be full is a lot more fulfilling than anything else that I can imagine, and I imagine that it probably gets better over time."
He shared one of his favorite scriptures with his Mom: (link here) 44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.
47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.
and added, "Alma 37:44-47 say [it] beautifully. Much better than I could, at least. Give those a read, those are some of my favorite scriptures ever. :) It wouldn't be true any other way! Heavenly Father will always lead us safely home! I have faith in Him, and that faith frees me, and it can you as well."
I was talking with a friend at church and heard him say something like, "I realized that my journal didn't even know I was married". I have thought about that and took some time to peruse the journal I kept as a missionary. Now granted, I am not the poster child for keeping a journal, but feel it is an important and worthwhile goal to pursue. I asked Jed if he is keeping a journal. He said, "So, I'm really guilty of not writing in my journal. We get home and then usually have tons of stuff to do still, but I guess that's what it's really about, making time to do things that you don't really have time to do. haha :) I should really write in it more. I keep a study journal now, I have done for ages, and that's really been cool. Heavenly Father gives us some really cool insights into the Gospel that has been provided for us, and when we write them down and record them, we have them forever! It's really nice to read over them and remember what you were dealing with at that time, and why you chose to record what you chose to record. I'll definitely do better at that though. I need to keep even just a daily paragraph or something. Maybe that's what I can do during studies in the morning or something maybe. " Like Jed, we should be more diligent in our effort to record the experiences and impressions we are given ... whether they be scriptures we read, temples we attend or axes we swing.
In addition to all the new homes in our area, the building of the Provo City Center Temple was recently completed. When a temple is finished being built - before it is used, it is dedicated to be a House of the Lord. It is a special time and often the veil between the heavens and the earth is thin. Both me and my wife shared our experiences of the dedication with Jed. He responded, "That temple is going to be so cool! I bet it's booked for the next year straight though. It'll definitely be buzzing for a little bit. You've got to tell me how it is when you get in there! I do remember the feelings of peace that I felt in the temple. I like what you said, "I am again reminded that there is so much more to this life than this life." It's really true, and I completely agree with you. There's a whole spiritual world around us, and it's real, and there for us to take part in! Having your soul be full is a lot more fulfilling than anything else that I can imagine, and I imagine that it probably gets better over time."
He shared one of his favorite scriptures with his Mom: (link here) 44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.
47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.
and added, "Alma 37:44-47 say [it] beautifully. Much better than I could, at least. Give those a read, those are some of my favorite scriptures ever. :) It wouldn't be true any other way! Heavenly Father will always lead us safely home! I have faith in Him, and that faith frees me, and it can you as well."
I was talking with a friend at church and heard him say something like, "I realized that my journal didn't even know I was married". I have thought about that and took some time to peruse the journal I kept as a missionary. Now granted, I am not the poster child for keeping a journal, but feel it is an important and worthwhile goal to pursue. I asked Jed if he is keeping a journal. He said, "So, I'm really guilty of not writing in my journal. We get home and then usually have tons of stuff to do still, but I guess that's what it's really about, making time to do things that you don't really have time to do. haha :) I should really write in it more. I keep a study journal now, I have done for ages, and that's really been cool. Heavenly Father gives us some really cool insights into the Gospel that has been provided for us, and when we write them down and record them, we have them forever! It's really nice to read over them and remember what you were dealing with at that time, and why you chose to record what you chose to record. I'll definitely do better at that though. I need to keep even just a daily paragraph or something. Maybe that's what I can do during studies in the morning or something maybe. " Like Jed, we should be more diligent in our effort to record the experiences and impressions we are given ... whether they be scriptures we read, temples we attend or axes we swing.