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| Warsaw Uprising Museum |
Every Monday morning at 5:00 a.m., we go straight to the computer so we can hear (download) Lance's words...and if we're lucky and he's still on the computer, we can have a short chat session. He isn't too fond of typing either, so the recordings are where we get most of our details.
Last week's correspondence begins with him sharing what the weather has been like in Warsaw. Winter is making an early appearance. He says that it's "alright cuz I've got a coat and stuff." He does plan on stitching up the holes in his winter clothes. Another great skill learned in the mission field cuz he didn't do such things before! The area of Warsaw he's in is called Zoliborz, which he says is very beautiful. He promises to take more pictures before next transfer. There is a nice park with a small lake that they visit everyday to meet people. They met a guy there who has shown a great deal of interest, so they are hopeful for him!
Lance is loving being District Leader. He has really gotten to know the missionaries in his district much better because of it. He had his first district meeting recently and he felt it went really well. He was a little nervous at first, but it ended up being "really fun". He makes phone calls every night to make sure they're all safe and good. He says it has really helped him know better how to help and serve everyone. Plus, he's learning how to better himself and be a better leader.
The spiritual thought he chose is "the tongue of angels".
He begins by quoting from the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 32:2-3.
Verse 2: Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
Verse 3: Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
Lance points out that the tongue of angels are the words of Christ...words of truth and faith. Positive words full of hope, optimism, enthusiasm. Words of affirmation, salvation, manifestation. When we speak truth, we are speaking the tongue of angels (2 Nephi 33:1). He goes on to quote Ephesians 4:29, which reads:
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." When speaking, speak the truth with faith and hope. Use our words to build, not destroy. Use our words how Christ would to manifest happiness in our lives.
Our words have power!
This week's correspondence begins with a report on the weather...still very cold, but it sounds like Fall is beautiful sight to behold there in Warsaw! He says they taught a lot of lessons on the streets, which always makes Lance happy. He asked about everyone's lives and how everyone is doing. He always makes a point to ask about specific family members and ask me to send on his love to them. It sounds like he's loving the mission. He comments that he enjoys being DL. He learns something new everyday. Most important to him, is to lead by example. He speaks very highly of every missionary in his district. I think he's made some life long friends!
On Sunday, they had a visitor, who studies religions as his specialty, come to church. He is writing a paper on our religion and wanted to experience it for himself. Afterwards, he interviewed the missionaries, asking many authentic questions. He commented after the interviews that out of all the religions he's studied and experienced, there is something unique and different that he found very appealing. Lance says it was a great experience for everyone.
His spiritual thought for this week is from 2 Nephi 2. He quotes verse 14: "And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon." He goes on to read verses 16 and 26. (See http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2)
I am very familiar with this concept as I have done my own personal scripture/spiritual study on this topic. So I was quite pleased that Lance chose this for his spiritual thought!
Lance points out that we ALL have free will, or agency. The ability to choose. To act or not to act. Another way to say "not act" is "being acted upon" because if we don't act, we're allowing things to act upon us. Because we're here, we have opposition. We are always enticed by one or the other. He uses a personal example of if he were to be prompted to speak to someone and chose to act upon that prompting, he would receive the reward of that action. If he chose not to act, he would be acted upon by receiving the consequence of that failed action. God expects us to exercise righteous action. If we choose to use our agency for good, we will receive that which is good. And vice versa. We MUST act or be acted upon.
By freely choosing to be obedient to God's will, knowing that God's will is pure, we will not fail. We could get up or give up.
He also says that 2 Nephi 2 is probably his favorite book in the Book of Mormon..."It's very powerful and cool. Yeah, it's legit."
He ends his recording early this time because they are leaving to find a place where he could rent a cello to play at a musical fireside coming up in a couple of weeks. He also thinks he will be able to see all the sessions of General Conference since he's in Warsaw. He's looking forward, as are we, to hearing from the Prophet.
Warsaw Uprising Museum
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