Everyone, Jim Evans is the sweetest little man who ever lived in Port Isabel. He had his 81st birthday a few weeks back and we brought him a birthday cake to celebrate. I feel like I am sitting and talking with my Grandpa whenever we see him.
A little background on Jim: He is from Chicago (aka my favorite city) and moved down here a couple years back when his wife died. A few years ago he was putting his gun away not knowing that it was loaded, dropped it just right, and it fired a bullet up the bone of his left leg. It was amputated and now he has a prosthetic leg. Despite all the hard things that he has gone through, he has such a comical personality I can't go a minute without laughing. Sister Nail and I love talking with our little grandpa, Jim.
Here is a photo from lunch.
Last Saturday Sister Nail and I were invited to the Robbin's to watch the General Women's broadcast meeting. For those who are reading this and are saying "what on earth is that?" it is when the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speak to the women eight years and older. I felt so at home sitting at the table quickly taking notes as I tried to shove chips and homemade salsa in my mouth and watch at the same time.
The words that smacked me in the face were: "Are you doing the things your way, or the Lord's way?" said by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. "Is your obedience joyful?" I found a couple scriptures in Alma 32 that related.
14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?
15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins,and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.
Am I compelled to be obedient/ humble, or do I do it because my companion is reminding that it is 10:30pm and I need to go to bed, telling me that we still have an hour of study time before I can make lunch, etc.. It says that they who believe in God and are humbled because of their love for the Lord will be blessed.
We are blessed for being obedient, but how much more can we be if we do it without being compelled? Since General Conference is drawing near, think about somethings that you struggle with being obedient. We often say, "oh, I can be obedient by attending church, not doing drugs, not drinking alcohol, etc. because that is easy." But when it comes to doing your home teaching or keeping your thoughts clean with music and movies, do we compromise? Do we say, "well, I am obedient to most of the commandments. I don't have to keep that one because it doesn't apply to me." WRONG. The commandments are there for everyone. Don't be stubborn. Serve with a humble heart and be obedient because you love God!
Everyone is invited to watch conference, you won't regret it! It is available on BYU-TV and online (https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng). The Lord tells the Prophet what we need to hear. It is direct revelation, so be obedient!
I love you all and hope you are enjoying your football season. Jim had a game on his TV a few days ago and I realized that I totally forgot it was autumn. (The weather is still high 80s here.)
Stay beautiful,
ehemm
A little background on Jim: He is from Chicago (aka my favorite city) and moved down here a couple years back when his wife died. A few years ago he was putting his gun away not knowing that it was loaded, dropped it just right, and it fired a bullet up the bone of his left leg. It was amputated and now he has a prosthetic leg. Despite all the hard things that he has gone through, he has such a comical personality I can't go a minute without laughing. Sister Nail and I love talking with our little grandpa, Jim.
Here is a photo from lunch.
Last Saturday Sister Nail and I were invited to the Robbin's to watch the General Women's broadcast meeting. For those who are reading this and are saying "what on earth is that?" it is when the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speak to the women eight years and older. I felt so at home sitting at the table quickly taking notes as I tried to shove chips and homemade salsa in my mouth and watch at the same time.
The words that smacked me in the face were: "Are you doing the things your way, or the Lord's way?" said by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. "Is your obedience joyful?" I found a couple scriptures in Alma 32 that related.
14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?
15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins,and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.
Am I compelled to be obedient/ humble, or do I do it because my companion is reminding that it is 10:30pm and I need to go to bed, telling me that we still have an hour of study time before I can make lunch, etc.. It says that they who believe in God and are humbled because of their love for the Lord will be blessed.
We are blessed for being obedient, but how much more can we be if we do it without being compelled? Since General Conference is drawing near, think about somethings that you struggle with being obedient. We often say, "oh, I can be obedient by attending church, not doing drugs, not drinking alcohol, etc. because that is easy." But when it comes to doing your home teaching or keeping your thoughts clean with music and movies, do we compromise? Do we say, "well, I am obedient to most of the commandments. I don't have to keep that one because it doesn't apply to me." WRONG. The commandments are there for everyone. Don't be stubborn. Serve with a humble heart and be obedient because you love God!
Everyone is invited to watch conference, you won't regret it! It is available on BYU-TV and online (https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng). The Lord tells the Prophet what we need to hear. It is direct revelation, so be obedient!
I love you all and hope you are enjoying your football season. Jim had a game on his TV a few days ago and I realized that I totally forgot it was autumn. (The weather is still high 80s here.)
Stay beautiful,
ehemm