January 2, 2010

Happy new year to you all!!

We had a barbecue in the house (yes I mean in the house, the way the wind passed through the house sucked the smoke right out the window by which the little homemade sheet metal barbecue stood) of the other Elders in our district which was quite good, I was able to learn a few helpful barbecue hints as well. I have a goal to pick up cooking tips and recipe with just about everyone who has them.
Our house is a bit of a sick bay these days with two Elders passing time with else while doing treatment at the nearby hospital. One of them, Elder R. has taught me by his example and just through some conversations we've had walking behind everyone else (he is on crutches at the moment due to a knee problem). I have found myself with a "second wind" of sorts these days, with a greater desire to do what I need to do, so I can learn what I need to learn and then be who I need to be.

Elder Zwick told of a complicated structural situation in Utah with a plan to build on top of an active fault line. He spoke of a complex foundation that if built properly would secure the building in earthquakes up to the 6th magnitude (I think that’s what he said, maybe it was 6.5, the idea being a strong foundation) he then pointed out a couple interesting facts. First, compared to the amount of material used in the part of the actual building, there was about three times the amount used in the foundation which extended way into the earth, and second that the slightest bit of impurity in this foundation, even the slightest bit of air, would foul up the whole process and leave the foundation insecure. Meaning that much care had to be taken to do it right the first time the whole time. He then compared this to our own foundation in the gospel and how we need to make the consistent effort now to build that foundation the right way so that when the 6.5 earthquakes come in our life, (and they will come) we can stand strong. If you find you have "impurities" in your base, take care of them now, confess the sins you need to confess, make the changes in your life you know you need to change, create the habits of scripture reading, and real, sincere, humble prayer that you need to create. If we don't do this know a day may arrive when the strength we needed in our spiritual foundation isn't there but if we do, we will find it being edified, tested, proven strong and our spiritual progress will continue onward until the day which we hope to all come to, when Christ will say to us, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, that through Christ we can become clean of our sins, work out our individual "foundation" and one day receive salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amém.

Elder Pettit