June 3, 2013 — Week #12 “I’m on the pencil, but you’ve got to do the writing.”

Hey Family! And others. Who are quite important as well. 🙂 

Real Quick: I apologize for the lengthiness of my letters.

So to start off… one of the wonderful things that my companion and I get to do in this area is visit The Good Samaritan. It’s an Evangelical Lutheran assisted living center and we get to go play bingo with the residents and help them with their activities.  I’ve mentioned it before, if you remember, the petting zoo. 🙂

Well over the weeks I’ve written down some of the great advice these people have given me… and I think it’s time to share.

I was talking to one kind woman, Zella, and I told her that her hair was beautiful and I loved her sweater.  I expressed, “I hope that one day I have good style like you.” To which she was flattered and responded with, “Well, you just have to do it.”

So there you have it.  If you want good hair. Do your hair.  If you want good style, wear things that are stylish. And to compare it to the gospel, as we should do with everything ;), If you want to be like the Savior… you should just do the things that he did.  Yes, my dear friends, in the words of Zella, You just have to do it.

Another woman, usually very cranky, decided this one day in particular that she would talk with us. Usually when we ask if we can visit with her she just says, “Now I don’t think so.”  She doesn’t remember much, or know much, and it is terribly frustrating for her. As we walked by this woman, Helen, we stopped to talk.  Obviously concerned for us, she told us that we needed to come up with some sort of a jingle and sing it as we walked down the hall so that people knew we were coming. She repeated again and again, “I think you’d do well.”   🙂  Well we sang her a quick song and then she was sure of it.  We would certainly do well if we had a jingle.

Uh…. and from that we learn… that everyone would be better off in life if they had their own jingle. 🙂

There is one member of the church that we know of at The Good Samaritan.  Her name is Leah.  🙂  As I left on Monday she said, “Have a good day.”

I responded, “Oh, I will.”

And she replied, “If you’re a good Mormon you will.”  She’s not all the way there, but at least she still remembers what it is to be a Mormon!  🙂 We can always have a good day, because GOD LOVES US, and the Savior has atoned to relieve of our pains!

Finally,

I have a testimony of humor and laughter.  I overheard a woman talking to another woman at the Good Samaritan, explaining the importance of laughter.

She said, “In everything there’s humor.  I could sit here all day and laugh like heck… But I’d wet my pants.”

There is humor and joy in EVERYTHING. I know that’s true.  As Brad Wilcox says, “If you can laugh at it, you can live with it.”  and I’d like to add: If you’re living with it, you can laugh at it. 🙂

The Lord loves yall, and I do too.

Remember, our lives will be better if we face life with a positive attitude and when things come up, look to the Lord and say, “I just have to do it.” There is no other option. We must remain faithful and endure.

Then remember, if you need to, to come up with a jingle to remind you that “you’ll do well.” Because you will. And you are doing well.

Add on the idea that you decide if you’re going to have a good day, and I promise it can be good, if you are following the Savior.

And Finally, REJOICE.  Laugh. Have fun.  You are wonderful. Remember that. 🙂

The church sure is true. 🙂 And every testimony I hear against its truth just makes my commitment to sharing it stronger!  People need this.  Paint a tag on your heart.  And remember, the most important name on that tag is His.  With the Saviors help we can all go out and preach the gospel. A work of which Joseph Smith said, “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.”

That’s for each of you. Pray for help. You are a missionary. 🙂

I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU! 

Keep being the best. Keep writing me. I love it. Keep serving others. I am so grateful for yall.

Love,

Sister Sarah Jane Meservy.

“This is thy work and I’m only the instrument. I’m on the pencil, but you’ve got to do the writing.” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland