Stories from Ruth #62

 

This week we had stake conference, the Dickens festival and service all on December 1st . And yes we went to all. The service was fun with the district and some members where we made shoe boxes with toiletries for the homeless, and let me tell you I have never seen so many homeless people in my life until I came to England We had an investigator meet us at the castle and then we went to stake conference, but on the walk there we saw the winter Dicken's parade and heard them caroling! Awesome! Everyone dresses up in victorian age clothes. They also do this in June time I think. We met this really sweet couple and the lady had sewn her own dress. I was impressed! Then we went to stake conference which was really good! The next morning was the second part of stake conference and Elder Soares who was in Chemlsford with me picked us up! It is so fun seeing people you know. The theme of stake conference was basically having a Christ centered home and on gospel learning in the home. It was really good and they had the two cutest little girls give talks! One was Kylie Bray and the other was her sister! I love them both, especially Kylie who is already planning on inviting all of her nonmember friends to church and to her baptism! She always comes up and talks to us. I think the kids loves us best in this ward.

As for teaching we taught Stephen who was surprised and excited to hear that our teachings about the

spirit world and the three kingdoms of glory is actually in the bible. He loved it!
I met this really sweet mother named Olivia and I gave her a card with our number but it was not until an hour later that I realized that I had given her my last area's number. Whoops! However, God is merciful and I saw her again today and got her number and we hopefully should be seeing her this coming week!

We also met a cool guy named Jackson who he had a really good conversation with but he did not agree to meet. He agreed to read some of the Book of Mormon and a few days later texted us and asked to meet with us this coming week!

I know that this church is true! God loves us an is mindful of us and wants us to progress, improve, and purify our lives.
I want to share this quote from Ezra Taft Benson in his talk "The Great Commandment - Love the Lord."

"The great test of life is obedience to God. “We will prove them herewith,” said the Lord, “to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abr. 3:25).
The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it.
The great commandment of life is to love the Lord.
“Come unto Christ,” exhorts Moroni in his closing testimony, “… and love God with all your might, mind and strength” (Moro. 10:32)."

I know that God expects us to improve, become more righteous, and eventually become as perfect as he is. We are to seek his will which takes effort and act upon it. We will develop the strength and faith to do it as we put him first in our lives starting with the little things like sincere prayer and fervent scripture study. We are to be obedient to the commandments we have received and will receive to help us improve. I love this gospel and I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to go and do the work!