Obtaining Happiness in Family Life through Jesus Christ
Elder Richard J. Maynes taught, “The joy we experience in this life will be in direct proportion to how well our lives are centered on the teachings, example, and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”
This last week in institute class we discussed "Obtaining Happiness in Family Life through Jesus Christ". The foundational scripture for the class was Helaman 5:12 and its foundational message to build your life upon the rock of Christ, our Redeemer.
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
We love the word foundation! -- This was an unusual class because we selected students from both the North Shields Institute and students from Gateshead Institute to lead the lesson discussion at each location. Aside from the fact that no one paid attention to the time and the class went long, we found that the discussion leaders did amazing-- in fact they garnered more discussion from the other young adults than we normally do. Hence, the message here -- get out of the way! Let the young adults run their own institute. We were testing this strategy and received clear confirmation that this is the way forward for the Sunderland Stake. Moving forward, we will select 4 students from the North and 4 from the south and assign them to be discussion leaders for one lesson each month (so no single student bears the responsibility to lead the discussion every week).
Elder David A Bednar said: “Ordinances and covenants are the building blocks we use to construct our lives upon the foundation of Christ and His Atonement. We are connected securely to and with the Savior as we worthily receive ordinances and enter into covenants, faithfully remember and honor those sacred commitments, and do our best to live in accordance with the obligations we have accepted. And that bond is the source of spiritual strength and stability in all of the seasons of our lives.”
North Shields Institute this last week (record breaking attendance - 21 in all)
Temple Preparation with Grace Cadle and the Sister Missionaries
We have been delighted to share the temple preparation lessons with Grace Cadle and the sister missionaries. This last week we concluded our lessons with Grace. She will seek an appointment with the Bishop to discuss the next steps on her path to the temple.
District Council
Transfers are coming up this week and we are likely to loose at least one of our sister missionaries, but gain another. We will update you all next week on who goes and who stays. Sister Barnard has been out for 3 transfers and sister Moss for two transfers. We serve with them in the North Shields ward. Back Row: Left to Right - Elder Daniels, Elder Keith, Elder Ward, Elder Suyama... Front Row: Sis Barnard, Sister Moss, Sister and Elder B.
Sauria is Baptized
Yesterday was a very special day in the Ashington Branch. A beautiful refugee from Chad was baptized: Sauria Main-Hingam. He has been working hard to find a job and also working with the local immigration authorities to get his family here from Chad-- he needs to have a job and an apartment. Hopefully within the coming months he will be able to qualify for this. His family, who remain in Chad, have all taken the missionary lessons now. When they get here he will be able to baptize them all, 5 children and his wife. This will be an amazing day we are all looking forward to.
He bore his testimony at his baptism and said he has had many hardships and previously been very focused on money and growing his business in Chad, he has left much behind in his move to the UK for political asylum. Despite all this he declared, 'I realize now that the real reason I came to the UK was to find the true gospel of Jesus Christ; it has been worth every sacrifice I have made. I am so happy!'
Bathing Club
Join the Monkseaton Bathing Club and jump into the Table Rocks pool. This is a natural tidal swimming pool created in the rock formation off Brown's Bay. It was developed as a bathing pool in 1894 by Mr. W. Scott. A great way to get a cheap, natural bath.
Resurrected
This last week we noticed spring flowers are fighting to come forth. They will not be subdued! Our grand creator blesses us every year with the hope of Spring as the Earth resurrects her beautiful flowers. We love God's grand creations!
No comments:
Post a Comment