July 30 - Aug 5, 2023
SUNDAY
I was asked to speak in church today. We use interpreters, usually Dutch to English. But when an English-speaker is giving the talk, the interpreting changes from English to Dutch. Because of this I needed to write out my entire talk and get it to the bishopric so they can get it to the interpreters ahead of time.
Ministering
30 July 2023
Utrecht Ward Sacrament Meeting
We sing in one of my favorite hymns, “Because I have been given much….I shall give love to those in need. I’ll show that love by word and deed. Hymns 219
In Mosiah 23:18 we read, “Therefore they did watch over their people, and did anourish them with things pertaining to righteousness.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Elder Jeffrey R Holland said, “…we have a heaven-sent opportunity… to demonstrate “pure religion … undefiled before God”8—“to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light” and to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,”9... because we all need to feel the warm hand of friendship and hear the firm declaration of faith.
"...may we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard, giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers, providing comfort, drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees. If we will do that, we will be more like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be. Elder Jeffrey R Holland, Be With and Strengthen Them, GC, Apr 2018
Sister Jean Bingham, former Relief Society General President spoke of ministering during the April 2018 General Conference. “Our service to others is a demonstration of [our] discipleship [to Jesus Christ].
“The Savior set an example of ministering during His life. He “smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave” He served family and friends, neighbors and strangers alike, and He invited acquaintances and loved ones to enjoy the rich blessings of His gospel.Those “simple” acts of service and love provide a template for our ministering today.
“Ministering can be done in a great variety of individualized ways. So what does it look like?
It looks like going for a walk, getting together for a game night, offering service, or even serving together. It looks like visiting in person or talking on the phone or chatting online or texting. It looks like delivering a birthday card and cheering at a soccer game. It looks like sharing a scripture or quote from a conference talk that would be meaningful to that individual. It looks like discussing a gospel question and sharing testimony to bring clarity and peace. It looks like becoming part of someone’s life and caring about him or her
“After all is said and done, true ministering is accomplished one by one with love as the motivation.(Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does,” GC Apr 2018)
Ministering is following the Spirit
On 2 July Bishop Kleijweg shared his testimony of the Spirit speaking to him when he was in the MTC. He got a letter that his father had been in an accident and there was concern that his neck was broken. The letter ended abruptly. There was no conclusion or follow-up. He spent several days wondering and not being able to concentrate on the lessons. Finally, the Holy Ghost whispered to him that everything would be ok with his dad. Later he found that indeed his dad was fine. It was a big and important thing for him to receive confirmation that his dad would be all right.
On July 1 there was a ward temple baptism appointment. Bishop Kleijweg noticed something and the Spirit whispered to him to make a slight change, which he did. It made all the difference! The two incidents are different in scope but the same Spirit can teach us no matter the setting. We need to be aware of how to minister in all situations. The Holy Ghost will teach us if we are able to hear the soft whisperings and act on the promptings.
I would like to share a familiar Scripture but preface it with this verse from
2 Cor 9:7 “…so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
In Matt 25 we read (Notice the promise given at the beginning and why we are given that promise)
34 …Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Remember “God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Elder Juan A Uceda spoke in the most recent General Conference about ministering. He refers to the stories of the “Lost” …the Lost sheep, the Lost coin and the Lost son. There are different numbers in each story, 100 sheep, 10 coins and two sons.
“The key number in each of these stories, however, is the number one…. you always, always minister to them, care for them, and love them one by one, individually. Juan A Uceda, The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches us to Minister, GC Apr 2023
One of my favorite stories was retold by Sister Michelle Craig:
“Susan … was a wonderful seamstress. President [Spencer W.] Kimball lived in [her] ward. One Sunday, Susan noticed that he had a new suit. Her father had recently … brought her some exquisite silk fabric. Susan thought that fabric would make a handsome tie to go with President Kimball’s new suit. So on Monday she made the tie. She wrapped it in tissue paper and walked up the block to President Kimball’s home.
“On her way to the front door, she suddenly stopped and thought, ‘Who am I to make a tie for the prophet? He probably has plenty of them.’ Deciding she had made a mistake, she turned to leave.
“Just then Sister Kimball opened the front door and said, ‘Oh, Susan!’
“Stumbling all over herself, Susan said, ‘I saw President Kimball in his new suit on Sunday. Dad just brought me some silk from New York … and so I made him a tie.’
“Before Susan could continue, Sister Kimball stopped her, took hold of her shoulders, and said: ‘Susan, never suppress a generous thought.’” Michelle Craig, Divine Discontent, GC Oct 2018
“Minister every day. Opportunities are all around you. Look for them. Ask the Lord to help you recognize them. You will find that most consist of small, sincere acts that help others become followers of Jesus Christ.
“As you strive to be worthy of the Spirit, you will recognize thoughts and feelings prompting you to minister. As you act on these promptings, you will receive more of them and your opportunities and ability to minister will increase and expand. David L Beck, Your Sacred Duty to Minister, GC, Apr 2013
Ministering is following the Spirit
Examples of ministering:
1. When Elder Glauser’s first wife passed away suddenly, he still had two sons at home, ages 10 and 12. The responsibility to now take care of all the duties at home….cooking, cleaning, homework, soccer practice, school programs and all that comes with parenting, was now his alone. Many people offered help. But one woman, Pat Lovell, brought dinner to the family every Wednesday. She continued this for 5 years! What a kind act of ministering.
2. Ministering is being aware of what is happening to others. When you hear of an upcoming surgery, test, challenge at work, decision to be made with a career path, health challenge or someone’s feelings of inadequacies, offer the opportunity for a priesthood blessing to be given. I have been witness to this kind of ministering many times. Each time the person received comfort, insight or direction.
3. My mom had a dedicated visiting teacher, now called minister. Nadine visited her home often and they become good friends. They knew each other well. One day, Nadine stopped by and as she talked with mom, realized something was ‘off’. She went outside, found my dad in the garage and told him she thought mom had had a stroke. Dad took her to the hospital in time for the effects of the stroke to be minimized. Without Nadine, more time would have passed before dad would be back to the house and the timely treatment would have been delayed.
4. My daughter, Ann, ministers to Wendy, a woman in her ward. For about 4 years, Wendy would not let Ann inside her house, but she would let her go to the grocery store or pick up a prescription at the pharmacy. Wendy rarely leaves her house, but now trusts Ann enough to let her into her home. She does not hesitate to call when she is in need.
5. Friends in Arizona like to make homemade salsa and take chips and salsa to their neighbors
I invite you to find someone who could use a kind word, a friendly smile, a simple meal or a listening ear and then act on those promptings to minister.
Ministering is following the Spirit
Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel. Russell M Nelson, Let God Prevail, GC Oct 2020
“…there are doors we can open…. hearts we can heal, burdens we can lift, testimonies we can strengthen, lives we can save, and joy we can bring into the homes of the Latter-day Saints” Russell M Nelson, “Ministering with the Power and Authority of God”, GC, Apr 2018
Testimony
Matt and Taylor also spoke in their new ward. We love that we can 'attend' through the magic of technology!
MONDAY
The first District Council of the Transfer was today. Our DL now is Elder Larsson. We had a great discussion as each companionship shared the progress of their investigators. They then asked the other missionaries what they have tried in a similar circumstance and how they can move forward in the teaching process. Many good ideas were expressed.
Elder Brimhall arrived in the mission 10 days ago. He is the son of Dwight's good friend. The families have been camping together and they know each other well. He is also the friend of Natalie's nephew. We love having these 'small-world' connections!
TUESDAY
As I was studying this morning I came across this quote from Sister Wendy Nelson. I love the idea that each day we can be a little better, just like a crescendo in music, our holiness can increase every day...even if ever so slightly.
“As you live your life in crescendo, trying to be just a little more holy day by day — and quickly repenting when you mess up — you will find joy in this life and eternal life in the world to come. Wendy Nelson, May 2022, Devotional to Young Adults
WEDNESDAY
The Elders in Groningen needed another bike. They were fine until their car was in an accident a couple weeks ago, but now the four Elders have only three bikes. (Two other bikes were left at the train station weeks ago and are now missing...they were a little embarrassed to report it to the Vehicle Coordinator😏). So today we loaded the van with a bike and the other things they had requested from Housing and headed to Groningen in the far north of the mission. We try to plan these types of deliveries at lunch time and we were able to take the Elders and their Zone Leaders out to lunch. How we love these good young men!
Before heading back to Gouda, we stopped by the apartment where Doug lived 50 years ago as a young missionary. He rang the bell and talked with the person who lives there now, but he seemed hesitant to give any information. He has not lived there long, but didn't offer anything about the neighbors. Understandable.
THURSDAY
One of our favorite things during our mission has been to have the missionaries come to our house for dinner almost every Thursday. The Question of the Day was, "What do you do or what things cause you to feel the Spirit?" The thoughtful answers ranged from music to temple attendance to being in nature. Each one shared some experiences they have had with feeling the Spirit.
We left Gouda about 8:00, drove to Gent, BE to pick up two new cars for the mission. The Antwerpen Zls, Elder Tanner Smith and Elder Carson Fisher, were happy to meet us at the dealership and drive away in a new car!
From Gent Doug drove the van and I drove the other new car to Lanaken. Ken and Audrey Omer just arrived in the mission and will get the new car. We loved seeing the new mission apartment in Lanaken. It is large and has a lovely kitchen/living area with windows all around. Another fun feature is the car elevator. This is how the cars get in and out of the underground parking!
The Heerlen Elders met us there so we could make more switches with the cars.
We took the Omer's and the Elders to dinner at a nearby restaurant. The best part of days like this is to spend an hour at dinner with the missionaries!
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