June 11, 2018 - FINISHERS WANTED

Earlier today I was reading a talk by President Thomas S Monson that I really liked and am going to try to apply to my missionary efforts. It is called Finishers Wanted. He tells stories of great men who have done wonderful things and then fall short because they get distracted. He then tells a story of Paul and how he changed and how he finished. This life can be kind of crazy with all of the trials we go through every day. He gave us some tips on how we can be finishers and get through all of our trials.

1. The Mark of Vision. It has been said that the doorways of history turn on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. We are constantly making small decisions. The outcome determines the success or failure of our lives. That is why it is worthwhile to look ahead, set a course, and at least be partly ready when the moment of decision comes. True finishers have the capacity to visualize their objective.
2. The Mark of Effort. Vision without effort is daydreaming, effort without vision is drudgery; but vision, coupled with effort, will obtain the prize.
3. The Mark of Faith. Long years ago the psalmist wrote: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” (Ps. 118:8–9.) Recognize that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.
4. The Mark of Virtue. “… let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly. …” (D&C 121:45.) This counsel from the Lord will provide staying power in the race we run.
5. The Mark of Courage. Courage becomes a living and attractive virtue when it is regarded not as a willingness to die manfully, but the determination to live decently. Have the courage
6. The Mark of Prayer. When the burdens of life become heavy, when trials test one’s faith, when pain, sorrow, and despair cause the light of hope to flicker and burn low, communication with our Heavenly Father provides peace.
Link to talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1972/04/finishers-wanted?lang=eng

I think with these steps we can get through all trials but to make it even better start with step 6. If we council with the Lord in all our doings then he will lead and guide us to where he wants us to be. He will help us to reach our fullest potential so we can one day be like him and live with him again.

It has been kind of slow out here in Tillamook, but we aren't getting discouraged because I know that God has a plan and will help us through it. We have a few people who seem to have a lot of potential at the moment. We are working with Richard and his wife Paige. Richard is loving the gospel and has seen huge blessings from coming closer to our savior. His wife is hesitant but she is making progress. We are working with another girl named LaTasha and she is absolutely loving everything she is learning. She loves to read from the Book of Mormon and came to church on Sunday and felt the spirit so strongly.

We had a few days where we were out walking in the rain, it doesn't sound very fun but there are ways to make everything enjoyable. Life is a beautiful thing and we need to be living it to the fullest of our capabilities and God will come up with the rest. Let's all be finishers and not fall short.

3 Nephi 15: 9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.

Having a bit of fun!

It's super hard to rely on the Lord in all we do. I still struggle with it a lot but I have seen many blessings come from it! At the stake conference here in Forest Grove when Elder Whiting talked to everybody he said go to the temple weekly. If you go to the temple once a week it's a commitment but if you go monthly it is an inconvenience. So that really stuck with me.