This week we didn't do as much teaching as usual. We did a LOT of service, however. There is a less-active family that lives in Castle Pines that is preparing for a family reunion. We got to take down one of their bushes. I got to use a saw that unfolded like a switch-blade. We took out both of the stumps. I wouldn't mind carrying that saw around with me.
We had dinner with a family that we ate with when the Spanish elders were having dinner with us, so they invited the Spanish elders for dinner again. I got to relive sitting next to a German, an El Salvadoran, a Samoan, and me, the Utahn. The Spanish elders made sure to remind me of that joke. We are going to be starting active-member lessons with that family next week, when they have us and the Spanish elders over for dinner again. One of them is an RM from Mexico City, and he said he loved the active-member lessons, because they were the only way he could really find people to teach since they weren't allowed to go tracting.
Last Monday we went to Devil's Head in Pikes National Forest at the request of the YSA sisters and some other missionaries. If we had known it would cost us about 90 miles from our monthly mile allotment, we wouldn't have gone. We have been trying so hard this week to conserve our miles, but most of our appointments this week have taken us to the far parts of our area. Looks like we might be using the soles of our shoes for transportation a lot this month.
We met with B again this week, our less-active member. He came to church this week again. That's three times in a row! He told us he hasn't done that in about 10 years! He is progressing so much, and he doesn't even realize it all the way. I told him that out of all the people I've met with in my mission so far, he is probably the one who has progressed the most. He said that the first time he went to church out of these three times is because somebody challenged him to fast. He said it was too hard, so they said that they would fast for him. He didn't want to feel lame for not fasting when somebody else is fasting for him, so he decided after to fast, and since he was already fasting, he decided he might as well come to church. He never mentioned a name, either because he forgot or because he didn't want to mention the name. That was me! I'm the one who said I'd fast for him, and I never realized the good that came out of it until now! He is now coming to church, reading his scriptures, and praying! He has made so much progress since the first time I met with him. I'm grateful that the Lord has placed me in this area to see Him work miracles with this guy!
Sometimes we may feel like we are suffering with too many trials and temptations than we can possibly endure. The Lord has promised us that we will never be given more than we can bear. Some of you may wonder how that is possible. There are many ways, but here is one reason that we can always overcome. One of the servants of Elisha felt overwhelmed by the Syrian army that encompassed their city. He was frightened, and asked Elisha how they could possible prevail. In 2 Kings 6: 16-17, we learn an important truth. "And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."
Never forget that the Lord has given you legions of angels to bear you up. No matter how difficult the situation may seem, YOU CAN OVERCOME IT, because you have the armies of heaven to help you.
I leave the Lord's blessing upon all of you, that you may be able to utilize the legions of angels round about you, and that through your faith in the Savior, you may find peace in the midst of turmoil. And I do so in the name of the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ, amen.
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The Lord's Soldier,
Elder Jacob C. Tibbitts
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| The beginning of Devil's Head Trail, which left us with a famine of miles. |
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| The ultimate prize in ascending to the top of Devil's head. |
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