Okay, well usually when I end up on here blogging is because I have too much on my mind to be able to focus on what I'm supposed to be doing (my homework)! Well I just finished watching The Cove, which for those of you don't know, is about the 23,000 dolphins that are slaughtered each year in ONE tiny little cove called Taiji, Japan. The horror of it all is ridiculous, and literally made me sick watching it. But I kept on watching, for one reason alone. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!!
I am learning more and more each day how true the statement is that "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." And so I sit here, feeling helpless, wishing that I knew exactly what to do to help, not only in this situation, but in millions of others. There are so many issues in our world today that I feel I must stand up for because there are few that do.
During all this, I am supposed to be studying for a Sociology degree, which will help give me credentials to actually make a difference in the world. I am trying to learn patience, because right now, I don't want to wait for credentials, in fact, I'm getting sick of school altogether. In reality, I just want to be out there making a difference. I hope that those of you who have the means and time to do so, will do so now. And those of you that don't, pray to God, like me, that someday you will be blessed with the means to make a difference!!
On another note entirely, but not really so much, yesterday I had the most incredible fast Sunday of my life. At church yesterday, the spirit was so incredibly powerful that i didn't want to leave. Our church ends at 5, and usually I'm starving by then, but I literally did not want to leave!!! We had an incredible lesson by our new relief society Judy Sorensen, and I'm developing such a great love for her and the sisters in our ward. The lesson was about how none of us are perfect, and we need to stop focusing so much on our imperfections, and start focusing on building Zion by loving and caring for each other. We have decided as a relief society each Sunday, to go around and ask if anyone needs our prayers, so that we can be more aware of each sisters' needs, and do something about it!! I love this idea, and brings my attention to the importance of visiting teaching. The most critical thing, is for the members of the church to feel SAFE, to feel they have a refuge, to know they can find comfort when they have nowhere else to turn.
After this great lesson, I got to stay at church a little longer while Jeff and I were set apart for our callings. Our bishop, Bishop Clare who is the most incredibly bishop I've ever had gave us such marvelous blessings. He knows little about our personal lives since we are brand new, but was impressed to bless us very specifically. I am so excited to be a part of this new ward, and seriously love my life so much. I AM SO BLESSED, AND I KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!
I have such a testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ. I am not perfect, but I try to maintain my faith by doing the LITTLE things each day. They really are so simple to do, yet we often overlook them because of the simpleness. Just as many of the Israelites failed to look at Moses' staff to live. Often people are so busy looking beyond the mark.
Elder Ballard addressed this in his CES fireside to all the young adults last night. I am so glad Jeff and I watched it. Our generation will one day become the leaders of this church. Elder Ballard mentioned how the growth of the church will require 6,000 additional stake presidents, 60,000 bishops, counselors, etc, and it really hit me hard. But one thing he didn't mention, is how many more missions we will have, and what a great need for Mission Presidents there will be. For over a year now, I have had a very strange feeling (maybe the spirit) telling me that one day Jeff will be a mission president, but we will see. Though the thought is overwhelming, I will do all I can to prepare, because even if it doesn't happen, the Lord will use us in other ways.
I hope that somehow my thoughts have affected you that read this. I hope that you will have a greater desire to do good, even when others around you are not. I hope that I will follow this same admonition. I love you everyone, and I love my Savior!
Sometimes the thought of all the ugliness in the world can be overwelming. We want to reach out and help everyone but we often feel that individually we cannot do much. I like the phrase, "think globally, act locally." Imagine a world were everyone thought of others more than themselves. If each of us tried to make a difference in the lives of those immediately around us, collectively it could change the world. It is important too to support organizations dedicated to ending the suffering of those in far away places. Some of us have the time and resources to even travel to those areas to assist. Very few people really know how much humanitarian assistance the church provided around the world. Thank you for being a person who wants to make a difference. It can start right at home. Love, Papa Foust
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