Grateful In All Things

It's been a lot of highs and lows recently, and with that comes a need to look for the good and be grateful for both the blessings and opportunities to grow Heavenly Father is giving me. 


I love Nefi's example of this pure gratitude in all things; after being tied up on the boat by his brothers for days, they finally let him go fearing that the boat would sink. 
15 "Wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof.
16 Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions."


After a particularly long day of missed teferall calls, meetings, missed lessons, and overall tiredness, I was finding it hard to even smile or make an effort at conversation. As the day was ending and I was ready to be done, we had a media referall come through. My first thought was, "You're joking! Two minutes to 9 and this happens." But as I said a little prayer before calling, I took a moment to clear my thoughts and just said "Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding this person to us tonight." In that little second of gratitude, I felt the Spirit so strong and just a feeling of peace and love for this person who had reached out. We had a great lesson and they felt the Spirit as we taught.


Point is, it's all too easy to focus on the negative, it's just part of our human nature. But life is so much sweeter and happier when we choose to see God's hand and are grateful, whatever our circumstance may be. 


Elder Neil


Pictures:
-volunteering with Čisteći Medvjedi
-ZC
-Visiting Sestra Mira (and the puppies) out on her farm 
-Filming with our Russian member videographer/opera singer





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