Tender Mercies and a New Calling

In April 2005 Elder David A Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, gave a talk entitled, "The Tender Mercies of the Lord." In his talk, he spoke of the small and silent miracles God does for us to swell our hearts with thanksgiving and humility as we recognise that He really is there, and He really does know who we are.

Today I've witnessed several such tender mercies and wanted to share them.

This morning while visiting some church members from our congregation they mentioned that their son and daughter-in-law were having some major complications with only a couple of weeks to go until their 3rd child is born. The labour has been starting and stopping, and stress has been mounting. I mentioned my mothers' expertise in that area and suggested they might benefit from talking to her. When my friend called her daughter-in-law to make the recommendation that my mum be called for advice, she humbly stated that she and her husband had literally just climbed from their knees. They had been praying to the Lord that he would help them know who they should talk to for advice as the hospital had not been helpful. I believe God heard their prayer. They spoke with mum and received comfort, direction and support.

The second tender mercy occurred after our church meetings today. I was talking with my friend Shaun. As we spoke a 19 year-old, David, approached to tell Shaun that he had just received word that he will be serving a two year mission to the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea, including Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. He will be speaking Russian! This was amazing news, as obviously very few Australians are called to serve in such a place. More amazing though, was this. A family friend from the NSW Central Coast (1 000 kms away) was visiting family in Brisbane and came to our church meeting. He served as the President of the Baltic Mission only 18 months ago, and as David told us the news this man was only 10 metres to my left.

If my son was going to Lithuania to speak Russian I'd want to know more about it. I took David straight over to this man and introduced them. He was so excited to hear David was going he nearly hugged him. Then he took 20 minutes and spoke with David and his family about the experiences they could expect with a son in those countries for two years. Tender mercies.

Finally, today at church a member of the Australia Area Presidency, Elder Dirk Smibert, approached me and asked if I had 5 minutes. I was given a new responsibility at church. It could not have come at a better time. I have been struggling with my present responsibility, particularly with all of the time it takes and the number of people I'm responsible for working with. Additionally, Kylie has not been well lately and my workload is increasing with Honours year at uni. So the stress has been getting to me. To know, therefore, that my responsibilities are changing was wonderful news, and the timing could not have been better. Again, the Lord is clearly orchestrating things, trying faith and patience, but always ensuring His children are looked after.

My new calling, by the way, is to serve as a member of the multi-stake public affairs committee. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but from what I do know, I'll be working as part of a team who deal with politicians and the media in promoting the good that the church does, and minimising or explaining negative publicity. My role, I believe, encompasses the whole of South East QLD. When I know more I'll post it. It's very new to me and I have no experience serving in this capacity, so I'm looking forward to the experience and challenge. And I've been assured that it won't be anywhere near as time consuming as my previous calling! Tender mercies.

Somehow they called him on a mission

What a weekend.

I flew to Newcastle on Sunday morning. My little brother, Tim, was set apart as an Elder. It was wonderful to participate in something so special and important to him.

I was able to hear him speak in his final sacrament meeting in Australia. He spoke about how he'd come to the decision to serve a mission. He talked about his experience in gaining a knowledge that the things he was questioning were indeed true. 100% were his words. And it was such a terrific thing to hear.

Sunday night after church there were around 30 people seated at the dinner table to eat chicken, lamb and pork as well as roast vegetables galore! Everyone loves Tim and we were glad to say goodbye to him.

He kept me up until 2.30am packing for Japan. His bag was super heavy and he took way more than he needs, but he's going for two years, and he wants to be prepared.

Farewells at the airport were really nice. It was exhilarating to watch him walk through the doors to customs waving goodbye and smiling so broadly in anticipation of where he is going and what he'll be doing. There were lots of tears from mum, Alisa and Dad. I wasn't close to crying, I'm too excited for him.

Then I flew home to be with my family again. I love them so much and missed them terrible even though it was just over 24 hours that I'd been gone. They're so special.

So now Tim's in the USA, probably about to head to Provo. He'll be there for 3 months learning how to teach the Gospel, and how to do it in Japanese! It's not long, but I'm sure the Spirit of the Lord will inspire him and he'll pick it up quickly.

And life resumes its normal pattern for us again.

But it was a special weekend, full of love, laughter, spiritual highs and genuine delight.

An open letter to my missionary brother

To my little brother Elder Timmy J,

As you commence this journey there are literally hundreds of things that can be said. No doubt you’ve heard many of them already.

I want to share just a few short thoughts and feelings with you.

Firstly, I know how big a decision it has been for you to decide to give up two full years of your life. You are leaving behind so much of what you know for nothing more than faith in something better. You know how blessed your life is now, but you are leaving it all behind. You are relying on the fruition of promises that you have no certain knowledge of. This is faith.

You have had to battle personal trials whose demands, at times, seemed impossible, and most of us don't know much of what you've worked through. But you have worked through all of these challenges, relying on that faith you have in Jesus Christ. And as a result you have made this decision to serve. More importantly you have learned what it is to feel His forgiveness, and to know He is Saviour and Redeemer. He has saved us, and redeemed us.

I promise you that as you serve faithfully and obediently this one decision will turn out to be one of the most important you have ever made in your life. Obedient service will teach you about God’s promises and how He blesses those who love Him enough to follow Him.

Secondly, your mission will be challenging; they all are. This service in Japan will be even more so because you have a new language to learn. You will find different levels of dedication among those with whom you serve. Be an example of obedience.

Obedience is one of the greatest lessons a mission can teach, and one of the most important lessons of life. If nothing else, obey the mission rules. Follow the counsel of your President and it will bless you for the rest of your life! It is through obedience that we qualify for the Lord’s Spirit. What greater blessing can we have? Increased obedience leads to increased righteousness. Our greater righteousness allows the Lord to bless us with a greater endowment of faith. And with greater faith comes miracles. If you want miracles in your life, be obedient and they will come.

Finally, while there are so many other things I wish I had the time to tell you, I want you to know that you are doing the right thing. You are embarking on two years of service to the only true and living God. You are serving His children, inviting them to make covenants that will bless their lives forever, and bringing them into His Church. And you're setting a giant example for others who watch you.

It is His work. He lives. God bless you Elder Timmy.

I love you little brother.

So much fun

In the past few weeks I've begun sending out newsletters for Happy Families, and blogging. I am having so much fun with it.

I just wanted to mention it so you can have a look if you haven't already. Some great comments and feedback have coming in and I'm really excited about it.

Afternoon Church

As I headed in to work this morning two thoughts dominated my thinking. Firstly, I was amazed at all the traffic on the road and the crowds waiting at the bus stops! Holidays are over.

Despite this, the second thought inspired me and I felt filled with delight as I made my way through the traffic. That was the feeling that God lives, and that as my Father, he is aware of me.

Yesterday we had afternoon church for the first time in a year. In 2006 we attended from 9am 'til midday. This year it's 1pm 'til 4. Last time we had afternoon church it was really tough. The children didn't respond well, they were still young and wanted their afternoon naps. In 2006 it was tough because the children wanted to run around with loads of energy early in the morning. So, with the exception of only a few weeks here and there, the past two years of churchgoing have been less than inspirational, and more like hard work.

Yesterday was different.

We arrived 10 minutes early and everyone got settled. Then, for 60 of the 70 minutes, our children were quiet, calm and reverent. Kylie and I even got to sit side by side for part of the meeting before the children crowded us out again. Taking the sacrament was a privilege. Pondering on the goodness, mercy and love God shows us was deeper than it has been for a long time, perhaps because we were able to actually do it. It felt sooooo good to be at church.

We have a new teacher for Sunday School too. She clearly put loads of effort into her task, because she taught a terrific lesson. At one point she asked the class, "How do you feel about Jesus and what he has done for you?" I didn't put up my hand, but immediately two hymns came to mind. "I stand all amazed... Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me" and "Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God, to Thee. How Great Thou art."

So as I travelled to work this morning, I felt inspired. I knew that yesterday I felt the Spirit of God at church. I knew that despite my often pathetic attempts to master myself and my weaknesses, and my many failures, redemption through repentance is mine. And it felt good.

New Website

I'm really excited to say that my new website is completed. It's been really nicely designed, and I think it looks professional, in fact I think it looks terrific.

I'd love you to check it out.

Mindset

It must be summer holidays. For the first time in a couple of years I've been able to read and learn things that I choose, rather than a university syllabus.

A wonderful friend passed on this book, Mindset, by world renowned psychologist Carol Dweck. I have just completed it.

I know the cover isn't much to look at, but what a terrific book! Thank you Wally for the wonderful gift.

The book discusses what research has shown about the way people think about the world, and how that motivates their responses. Dweck argues that people either possess a 'fixed' or a 'growth' mindset. No person is entirely one or the other, but in various roles in our lives we tend to dominate in one of these mindsets.

The book is written for a 'lay-audience', not a hard core psychology researcher, and at times I found it a little bit repetitive.

But for anyone who wants to improve the way they think, and make positive changes in their life without feeling like they have to listen to Anthony Robbins and walk on hot coals, this is an exceptional book. I got so much out of it and recommend it to everyone.