Message in a Bottle

Communication on a Mission

While on a mission, you are required to spend most of your time working. However! There is one day a week where you are permitted to write an e-mail home. Besides that e-mail to family, the only other communication you can have is through letters. All the letters have to be written on that one day.

I have been on my mission for almost seven months now. I have learned that to successfully get all of my letters written, I have to be organized and prepared.

1. Throughout the week, I take notes on funny or significant things that happen. I have these notes by me while I write.

2. I keep a booklet with everyone's addresses so that I do not have to rifle through old letters to find them!

3. I keep all of my letter writing stuff in a box. Pens, envelopes, paper, stickers, markers, stamps - you name it, it is in the box!

4. I bring snacks. Chocolates or gummies are preferred :)

5. I write in comfort. In the picture above, I am by the heater and propped up on a pillow. Perfect!

I do a pretty good job of staying in touch with people. I have limited time, but if I handle it well, I can get a lot done. The best part is, that when I do a good job writing people, they write me back! I love getting letters on my mission. It is the only time I get to hear from people! They make me laugh and they make me feel loved. Sometimes I even get pictures!

When we use our time and skills wisely, we can get quite a bit done. The Lord understands this. Sometimes He will give us enormous jobs to do! But, I would like to think that they can all be tackled if we use our time and skills wisely.

Champion good! Use the time! Use the skills!

The Holy Spirit

"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." (Acts chapter 5 verse 32)

What is the Holy Ghost? The Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is a heavenly being that communicates with our spirits. He witnesses of truth to us so that we are able to recognize it.  We have to be worthy of having his help though. If we are obeying God's commandments we are able to have the Holy Ghost with us more.

What does the Holy Ghost feel like? I have been thinking about this lately. You know what it feels like to be thirsty? Then what it feels like to finally drink? The Holy Ghost feels like that. It satisfies a spiritual need for relief.

You know how it feels to be greasy and dirty, then to take a thorough, hot, soapy shower? The Holy Ghost makes you feel like that. It makes you feel fresh and clean spiritually.

You know how if feels to be lonely, and then hear from someone who loves you a lot? The Holy Ghost feels like that. You remember your worth and are reminded of the abiding relationship you have with God.

Here are two quotes that I like,

"We can recognize when the Holy Ghost is teaching us the truth. Our minds will be filled with inspiring and uplifting thoughts. We will be enlightened, or given new knowledge. Our hearts will have feelings of peace, joy, and love. We will want to do good and be helpful to others. These feelings are hard to describe but can be recognized as we experience them." (Preach My Gospel, p. 73)

"The Holy Ghost has a sanctifying, cleansing effect upon us. The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ and helps us recognize the truth. He provides spiritual strength and helps us do what is right. He comforts us during times of trial or sorrow. He warns us of spiritual or physical danger. The Holy Ghost  provides the power by which we teach and learn. The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of our Heavenly Father's most precious gifts. Through the power of the Holy Ghost we can feel God's love and direction for us. This gift is a foretaste of eternal joy and a promise of eternal life." (Preach My Gospel, p. 65)

Seek the Holy Ghost. It makes you happier, cleaner, and loved.

Champion good! Feel the Holy Ghost!

Thoughts on Prayer

Silent or spoken, God hears all prayers. Full of faith or hesitant, God welcomes all prayers. Children and adults alike can pray to the Lord about what they care about. We get to know God and trust Him through the conversations we have with God through prayer! Families and groups of people are united through prayer. Jesus Christ set the example for us. Everyone, even He, can and should pray.

What should we pray about? Everything! One of the songs I like says,

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.

(Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire. Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 145).

Everything in life that we sigh over, that we cry over, or that we need outside help on is something that we can pray about. More than that, we can thank God for what makes us happy, laugh, or proud. If we pray, God hears and answers. Remember, He's our Heavenly Father and He wants to stay in close touch with us, His children.

Champion good! Stay in touch with prayer!