Jesus Visited the Lonely and So Can You

#LIGHTtheWORLD

I've always loved meeting new people. Throughout my life, I've come to find a joy playing games with and hearing stories from the elderly. I've loved visiting them since jr high and high school. I also loved interning at a senior center my senior year of high school and visiting, serving and playing games with senior patients with dementia.

When I looked at the theme for today's way to serve on mormon.org, "Jesus Visited the Lonely and So Can You" I was overjoyed.  One of the service ideas said to, "Visit a nursing home. Studies show that 60 percent of those living in a nursing home never get visitors during their stay," and I couldn't pass up the simple suggestion because I truly love getting to know the elderly.

A few weeks ago I visited a senior living center new where I'm going to school. There's a group from my apartment complex and ward that go sing hymns to them each Sunday. This day I decided to attend, and I was able to meet a dear sweet lady who had just lost her husband the week before.

Fast forward back to today, I remembered my friend Flo from the senior center. Although I hadn't seen her for two weeks, and I didn't even know if she'd remember me, I decided to go visit her. Although nervous and kinda thinking of myself as foolish, I tried to visit her unannounced and around dinner time at that. Luckily, I was able to chat with my new friend Flo. We talked about families, teachers, storytelling, and much more.

At first she showed confusion of why I choose her to talk to and why I asked the questions I did. After all I wanted to hear more about being a music teacher in an elementary school. I ultimately came to get to know her and spend time with her. I found joy in talking and spending time with those I love, yet even if I've only known them for a very short time. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." -Mosiah 2:17

I challenge you to go out and serve people this holiday season! Share your heart, love, and happy spirit with those around you!

Love Inspire Smile Serve
mormon.org #LIGHTtheWORLD
Melissa Longhurst

Pride, Peace, & Prayer

A new look at the Pride Cycle:

My Book of Mormon professor showed us this recently. He has eight basic steps in the pride cycle and it can start wherever, but I love some of the connections he made. For the Terrestrial kingdom and lifestyle the bride cycle continues along the basic outer circle. This includes the pride, sin, and destruction that come about a lot in our own lives and specifically in the Book of Mormon, but this cycle offers humility and many blessings and prosperity that come from their repentance. We all go through this cycle within our lives to some extent. With Telestial and Celestial they only cycle between four of these stages and continue to build upon them. 

This diagram helps me track our goal to find humility from our blessing and prosperity given to us and continue to keep the Savior in our hearts and minds to not become prideful. This creates a spiral between these processes and helps get you to the Celestial Kingdom or on the other hand takes you on a path of misery, sorrow and temptation.

Something else taught in Book of Mormon comes from the story of the brother of Jared. He had three concerns about the barges that were made and their journey. He asked God about light for the barges, steering to stay on course, and how to breathe and have air within the barges. From these three issues every question you take to God will fall under. Let me explain: for the first question of light in the barges God gave the brother of Jared agency to discover a way to light the barges on his own. Then he gave him two ways not to do it and let him figure it out. We must use agency and action many times in response to questions to God, for then he can direct our path if needed but let us choose.

The second question asked was about the steering of the barge, and God's answer relied on grace. Therefore, the brother of Jared need not worry about steering for he will direct you to the promised land. We don't tend to find this answer to most questions, but it's another option. At times we are given other tasks, service, situations to focus on while others might be taken care of. I've heard countless stories of miracles and blessings received through paying their tithing and many other things. The last question about breathing Heavenly Father gave step by step instructions to help him accomplish this task.

Every question asked will not be ignored but he might let you choose your own way. I love this quote from Boyd K. Packer, "Prayer is your personal key to heaven" and you really can receive answers to your prayers. I just love the the idea that every question you take to God will fall under agency, grace, or steps. There are still times a lot of work is needed with your agency to follow God's plan and will for you. Even the brother of Jared didn't go get stones that were right around him for his light, but he traveled to get them from one of the highest mountains and eventually ended with molten rock. For this wasn't perfect but it was the best that he could do without the touch of God.

Whatever God touches it lives! Make your best efforts glow and shine and help others shine through Christ. Go out and serve others during this Christmas Season! Have a great week!

#LIGHTtheWORLD
www.mormon.org
Melissa Longhurst
Love! Inspire! Smile! Serve!