April 22, 2016 - Friday in Nauvoo

Mom and I had a sweet schedule today.  We served at the Visitors Center from 9:00am until 12:00noon.  The new mission president has the young single sisters exclusively in the Visitors Center, but failed to schedule some companion study time.  Both mom and I had been scheduled at other sites today, but our shifts were easy to cover, and we both got the nod to come over for the three hour coverage.  We then had the rest of the day off!

We were up pretty early this morning.  The temperatures were in the mid 40's as we had our morning devotional and prayers.  We left on our walk by 5:30am and we had such a wonderful time together!  We even went a little further to check out a street that is being repaved.  Ahhh memories of the Jackson Airport!

After our walk we prepared for the day and were ready to report to our assignment about 30 minutes early.  So instead of driving, we decided to walk down to the Visitors Center, and added another two miles to our exercise routine.  We got back home about 12:30pm and settled in for lunch and a nap.  And, we also had the new air conditioning unit hooked up this afternoon.  It is really unbelievable how many tender mercies we have received in moving into the little home!

As we assembled for our Sunset practice this evening, we had a report about the first counselor in the mission presidency.  He had been in the hospital where they discovered prostrate cancer.  That is a sobering announcement with so many of the senior missionaries affected by cancer.  How do you possibly try to deal with these kinds of setbacks?  

Well, the talk that Elder Steven E. Snow gave at conference may offer a clue...  These setbacks are nothing more than opportunities that humble us and help us to be better disciples of Jesus Christ.  We can see His Hands in our lives by facing these challenges  with faith, hope and courage.  Here is a summary of that talk as posted on the Church website;

Elder Steven E. Snow
Of the Seventy

If we humble ourselves, our prayers are answered; we enjoy peace of mind; we serve more effectively in our callings; and if we continue to be faithful, we will ultimately return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. …

…We must all strive to become more humble. Humility is essential to gain the blessings of the gospel. Humility enables us to have broken hearts when we sin or make mistakes and makes it possible for us to repent. Humility enables us to be better parents, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, neighbors and friends. On the other hand, unnecessary pride can dissolve family relationships, break up marriages, and destroy friendships. It is especially important to remember humility when you feel contention rising in your home. …

Simply living life can be and often is a humbling experience. Accident and illness, the death of loved ones, problems in relationships, even financial reversals can bring us to our knees. Whether these difficult experiences come through no fault of our own or through bad decisions and poor judgment, these trials are humbling. If we choose to be spiritually attuned and remain humble and teachable, our prayers become more earnest and faith and testimony will grow as we overcome the tribulations of mortal existence.

Being humbled comes in so many forms.  Sometimes we are compelled to be humble, and at other times we react with humility by the experiences we have.  Here is a great story that goes along with being humble and it has to do with the "refiners fire";

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse.”  And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

One lady’s opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.

“But Sir,” she said, “do you sit while the work of refining is going on?” “Oh, yes madam, ” replied the silversmith, “I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.”  The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace. His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; “the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had still further to mention, that he only knows when the process of purifying was complete, by seeing his own image reflected in the silver".

This is one of my most favorite examples! When Christ shall see His own image in His people, His work of purifying will be accomplished.  Even though the author of this story is not known, the idea of being refined in this life rings so true as we prepare for the eternities!  Perhaps the experiences of going through these refining's are not pleasant, but they do bring us hope in a better world to come if we can just endure these trials and challenges with a positive attitude...  

Easier said than done, but we are promised that the blessings that will ultimately come will be worth it.  Our prayers go out to those around us that are experiencing these challenges each day.