Cooking a Feast with the Cooks
We shared the November 19 Worldwide Young Adult Devotional broadcast with our institute students. Elder Quenton L. Cook of the Twelve Apostles with his wife Mary served us a spiritual feast of Biblical proportions!
“The answer to every doubt or faith challenge is the gospel of Jesus Christ….I promise you: If you faithfully read the scriptures, pray and have religious observance in your lives, you will over time find answers to your questions and resolve doubts that may arise from time to time," said Elder Cook.
“Opposition in all things and an adversary who does not want us to have faith in God requires each generation “to discover and obtain their own knowledge and testimony of God and of their eternal identity.”
“Questions about faith and anxiety about our true identity as children of God have always been present throughout history… But the answer has always been the same. We are all spirit children of the same loving Heavenly Father.”
Elder Cook explained that individuals who want to destroy faith may try to claim that faith is no longer relevant. They claim that a large number of people have their same views on social issues and are no longer faithful Church members. The reality is that “youth and young adults are not less active or leaving the Church in higher numbers than in the past, as has been widely circulated,” Elder Cook said. “The number of missionaries called to serve has significantly increased. The percentage of Church participation for the rising generation shows a continuous upward trend. Moreover, the number of young adults attending institute has also been increasing.” Having doubts is not the problem, but “how you face doubts is important,” he said. Don’t let doubts or disbelief overcome your faith, he said. “Diligent scripture study, sincere prayer, conscientious religious observance, and following the counsel of the Lord’s prophet will allow you to overcome faith challenges.”
Turkey at Toby's
There is a restaurant chain here in the UK called Toby Carvery. A beloved sister, June Dowd and another sister Linda Gregory, in the North Shields ward took us and our sister missionaries (Sisters Victor and Barnard) out to our Thanksgiving Dinner. It was indeed another feast, but of Turkey proportions!
Dear Ones Depart
This last week was a transfer week and we took Sister Hilton to the airport and saw several sweet missionaries at the hotel who were also departing, Sister McComas, Sister Stanley, and Elder Kitchen to name a few. It is such a bitter-sweet experience for them to say goodbye to the land and people where they served so diligently for 18 or 24 months and now transition into normal life again with many exciting future possibilities ahead of them... work, school, and dating. The phrase that always comes to our minds at this point is 'Return with Honor'-- when you serve faithfully and the best you can, you will be able to look back with joy and a quiet smile on your face. (This is our goal.)
The South Shields DistrictThe missionaries worldwide are organized into districts, which typically includes 6-10 Elders and Sisters in a locale. We meet weekly and counsel together about the work we do. You get to know this group pretty well. This transfer involved a lot of change in the mission with 17 missionaries departing and 23 missionaries arriving in the mission. Sometimes districts get re-organized based on where the missionaries live or where needs are. We are leaving the South Shields district and saying goodbye to Elder Casey, Sister Victor, Elder Keck, and Sister Thompson and will now be in the Alnwick District. Our South Shields goodbye photo:
Left to right: Sister Barnard, Sister Victor, Sister Thompson, Sister McComas, Elder Keck, Elder Casey, the Betteridges
Fabulous New Flat and Sweet Sixteen
We have been busy moving over the last few days. We are saying goodbye to our first flat at 16 Jesmond Park Court and saying hello to our new flat at 16 Blackhaugh Drive. Our new flat is in Seaton Delaval just 20 minutes outside of Newcastle.
(Our Jesmond flat had become a difficult living situation for us with un-repaired roof leaks and several other issues including moisture seepage into the flat along the ceiling corners and a crumbling sheetrock in several places. Heather had a dream that our roof was collapsing and was concerned for our safety. A day after this dream we actually heard that our neighbor's ceiling had collapsed and she had to move out. So we took this as timely inspiration and moved out quickly with essential items last Thursday eve and are now trying to get re-established in the new number 16 -- we feel the Lord is truly watching over us).
A Hidden Hymn
Our district has been reciting the following quote from Elder Stevenson (General Conference Oct 2023) as we look into the mirror each morning. It brings an empowering feeling into our hearts and a desire to do what is right!
No comments:
Post a Comment