July 2, 2013 — Week #16 “O, all ye old men . . .”

Before I begin this letter, I would like to explain… Last week I got a wonderful email from my brother Jeff.  He explained, “I enjoy your weekly email… The only thing missing is a reminiscence of all of our good times together and how they played a vital role in your day-to-day experiences.”  I think he was right.  So this week, I will try to do better.

Dear Jeff,

(I mean, euh… Dear Family and Friends),

I’m grateful for every letter I receive. 🙂 Also, this week has been incredible. We were teaching a man named Boba, who has an orange three legged cat named Zeus.  (I’m not making this story up). . . As we taught him, he told his cat to bite me because I said something he didn’t like to hear.  Probably something like, “Boba, if you want to be happier, you need to pray and read from the Book of Mormon every day.” Well, low and behold, about two minutes later, the lovely Zeus sneaked up from behind me and bit my arm.

Really.

So this week, I got bit by a three legged cat.

But Boba came to Church on Sunday, so it was worth it.

And Jeff, He probably came to church because of how well I reacted when his cat bit me. If it weren’t for you, I may have hit myself where I had been bit- but you’ve taught me that hitting my injuries is not the most effective method of recovery. Thanks.

Now Speaking of Boba coming to church… It seems that every time me and my companion bring a new investigator to church… Our ward seems to be talking about Family History- which can be terribly confusing for them.  Luckily, the church is true, so we haven’t lost an investigator over it yet! 🙂  The feelings people have when they come to church, feel the spirit, and feel welcomed by the members trump all of the confusion that investigators get about taking our ancestors names to the temple to perform saving ordinances. 🙂

Jeff, I think you taught me this same principle when we would read the Sunday Funnies together every Sunday, because even when you made me read the comics that I didn’t understand (and thus, didn’t think were funny), I always enjoyed being there and reading with you.  🙂 …Precious. I know.

I also believe that all those times you pushed me on the rope swing at the cabin had a vital role in who I’ve become. 😉 I always knew that if I asked you to come out and push me on the swing- you would- and I would be able to fly (probably even higher than I wanted to…).  It’s this kind of faith that we should all put in our Heavenly Father.  This week my companion and I helped wash some clothes for our investigators who don’t have a washer and dryer.  They were working on quitting smoking, and one of the steps to recovery is to wash all of your clothes to get rid of the smokey smell.  Well Sister Harper and I used 3 homes to was our car full of clothes.  When the first load came out, it was obvious that the smell of smoke had not come out.  So immediately we knelt down.  I said, “Sister Harper, we are going to have a miracle.  Let’s pray and ask God to take the smell away.”  SO she offered a wonderful, Faith-filled prayer, and every load that came out after was completely smoke free.  Then, as we finished we went to put the first load through again and the smell was gone. Let that be what you want it to- but I like to call it a miracle. I know that when we ask God for His help, He is ready to answer.  As long as we pray in Christ’s name- which the bible dictionary explains as meaning that we are praying for things that the Savior himself would pray for. 🙂

So yes.  The Church is very True. I’m grateful for Jeff Ray and the many other vital life lessons he has taught me. 😉 And I’m grateful for his wife and for their kids. 🙂  I am so grateful for all yall. I am grateful for life and for missions…

Remember to rely on God, and keep his commandments. We don’t want to be like the wicked Nephites and Lamanites in Helaman 4 who had to fight man for man, and “therefore they did not prosper.”  We want God on our side! Be like the righteous Nephites in Alma 2:11, who were called the Nephites, or the people of God.  and also in Mosiah. . . “And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land.”   We can prosper if we rely on God.  Let him be your strength. Have faith in him.  He loves you. And he is willing and ready to come out and give you a big push on the rope swing. 🙂

Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. 🙂

MUCH MUCH LOVE,

Sister Sarah Jane Meservy

PS: We may have accidentally left the reference to Mosiah 2:40, instead of Mosiah 2:41 on a sticky note on a 60 year old mans door.

verse 40 begins, “O, all ye old men…”  The Church is Still True! And always will be! 🙂