Weekly Email - 11/1/21

Dear Elder Salsa-

I hope you had a good week.  It was nice to see some pics of your comp, the food and the things you are seeing.  I think we all like pics, so please send more.

The talks today were focused on the Temple and although they were good, that isn't the focus I want in my email today.  There were some really good questions raised and I will share them:

·       What is keeping you from going to the temple? From holding a valid temple recommend? (Mom and I's recommends expired on Halloween)

·       How can you remove obstacles from you or others that make it difficult to get to the temple?

I know I have work to do there, and the complexities of the pandemic make this a little more challenging, but I can do better.

What I really want to share is something of the Spirit.  We've been discussing some changes in some of our organizational presidencies and one in particular has been challenging.  We've discussed names and I have been waiting on inspiration.  My counsellors both have had very positive things to say about the individuals we've considered, but I just haven't felt the Spirit witness to me whom should be called.

Brother Quiner shared the spiritual thought in Bishopric meeting this morning and he shared an experience he had on his mission.  He and his companion were going to visit with an investigator who had some very real concerns about a specific teaching.  Elder Quiner had studied, thought and prayed for inspiration about what to say and do and nothing was coming.  The drive there, and in his area, a drive anywhere was a long one – still nothing coming.  As they entered the man's home, he almost panicked because he had nothing to say.  And then his companion opened his mouth and gave a message that was exactly what this brother needed to hear.  What Tim learned that day was that he simply needed to keep his mouth shut and allow his companion to receive the inspiration and go forward.  It was only after his companion had delivered the message that Tim knew what to say and felt the spirit confirming it.

And the message I got out of that was that my companions had received revelation and inspiration and I should heed it.  So I brought this individual into my office and while I was discussing with them the details of the calling, and extending it, I felt the confirmation of the Spirit telling me this was the correct path and they were indeed being extended a calling from their Father in Heaven.

Now I am not telling you to keep you mouth closed or to let others believe you don't speak Spanish.  But I do think it is important to know that not every piece of inspiration that you get will come to you.  Rely on your companion and his testimony.  Work together to see where you two mesh and where the Spirit lies.

I love you and miss you and know you are in the Lord's hand.

Love, Dad