Take it One Step Further

The ward I am serving in now just came out with a ward mission plan,

It's something I had heard but as always the refresher was great!

If you are comfertable with smiling at someone, take it one step further and say hello.

If you are willing to say hello then take it one step further and ask how their day is.

With this fresh in my mind I took it to heart and decided to try it myself as a missionary.

I recently had a minor surgery which lasted from when I entered the hospital at 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

I had plenty of time to talk to the nurses that were working with me :D

I made it a point to at least mention that I was a missionary and really get to know them a little bit also.

The first nurse was thrilled and mentioned that I made her day that she was able to talk to another "brother in Jesus."

The second nurse went forward to ask about my missionary service and told me all about her garden at home!

My anesthesiologist, as I woke up, mentioned that now she knows what we're all about the next time we knock on her door she'll let us in!

Not sure if that was caused by something I said while I was out, or awake... :D

I left at the end of the day a little dazed but really thrilled at what the day turned into.

We simply need to take it one step further and we will have the world unfold in front of us.

There are some really cool people around us.

Those that are starting gardens!

Those that have a strong belief in Christ and are thrilled to talk to others with the same belief!

We'll never be able to talk to everyone around us,

but we can always take it one step further.

Think about how you can take it one step further,

then do it!!!

The nurse that was with me the whole time came back before she left and shook my hand and thanked me for being so kind.

We don't know the affect we have on people until we try.

Smile, then take it one step further.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Green Wood

Getting the opportunity to serve people are some of my favorite moments on my mission.

There was a specific person that we would move wood for.

She would keep her wooden stove running when it got cold to stop her pipes from freezing allowing her to have water in the house. 

As we searched through her garage we were instructed to find the dry wood and avoid the green wood.

Standing, Confused, not being able to tell the difference between what really is green wood or not, we decided to bring it all in since it all looked pretty much the same.

She came out and assessed the wood, 

Bringing a piece of wood to her nose she smelled it and after shaking her head she set it down next to the main pile.

"That's green wood." She plainly said. 

Scratching my head, I asked how she could tell.

With a simple response she said, "You can smell it, It's green wood."

Being the city boy I am, confused and impressed at the same time, I accepted it and watched as she separated the green wood from the dry wood.

We don't know the follies of Satan.

The smell of green wood was not familiar to me, 

In consequence I made the mistake of collecting green wood that does not burn well.

Many times we are not familiar with the follies of Satan.

Many times without direction we make the wrong decision, not knowing, and fall into his trap.

 

Today we have a Prophet on this earth.

Who knows very well, through inspiration and preparation throughout his life, the smell of "green wood."

God speaks to us through a prophet today.

Don't make the mistake of collecting green wood!

Especially when we are given direction on how to pick out the dry from the green.

Satan is trying harder and harder and the world is becoming increasingly darker.

It will get harder to be able to discern between right and wrong.

Trust in the Prophet. 

Seek the light that comes from his inspired counsel.

Read of his words and listen to his direction.

And avoid the green wood.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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