There's a Tablecloth on My Wall!

Posted by Steph's Dad 7-21-08


First and foremost, I just have to tell the entire world that I have the best family on the planet. The tablecloth was AMAZING! I can’t imagine how much time and energy must have gone into making that. But you’ll be glad to know I have it hanging up on my wall next to my bed so I can look at it and have it brighten my day each time I do. You are the best!

It’s been a pretty busy week and in order to not make this eternally long, I’ll give you some of the highlights:

1. I got a SWEET package from the best family in the whole world. I love my tablecloth!
2. I had to give a workshop about effective finding but it ended up being more about the steps that lead to effective finding, tying those to D&C 4:2. We must serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. I looked up the definitions for each of those words and it was powerful to see the connections between them and finding those that are searching for the truth. I also loved studying Nephi’s example of faith, diligence, and righteous desires.
3.We had a conference called "Zoned Out" Thursday where we got together with 3 other zones and had a day of fun. We had a barbeque, took a tour of the John Johnson Home (definitely the highlight), played scriptorianoid (exactly like scriptureman from seminary), "the Brethren" jeopardy, dodgeball, relay races, and human foosball. Our zone did pretty well and it was fun to spend time with other missionaries. I have to admit though, I was really wanting some spiritual nourishment that day but we’re going to have the normal workshops and things at our interviews this Wednesday.
4. Funny story. After zoned out there was a bus tour that had just pulled up with a bunch of youth from Utah on a church history bus tour. They had finished the tour and sang some hymns, so President Peterson suggested we go and sing our mission song to them (it’s "We’ll bring the world his truth" with the 2 and 3 verses changed to pertain to our mission). We did so and it was really neat to sing to them. Afterwards we went to meet some of the people and it was pretty funny to watch the Elders interact with cute high school girls from Utah. At least for me, anyway.
5. Sunday Sister Knowles sang in sacrament meeting and I accompanied her. She sang a really pretty arrangement of "O, My Father" and it powerful for me to sit and listen to the message behind that hymn as she sang. In the hustle and bustle of life today I think we neglect or disregard that divine relationship we have with our Father in Heaven. I am so grateful that we have a correct knowledge of our relationship to our Heavenly Father and how we fit into the eternal scheme of things. It’s such a blessing to know of the gospel of Jesus Christ—Heavenly Father’s plan for us to be successful in this life and return to live with Him, with the Atonement of Jesus Christ being the center of that plan!
6. I wanted to tell you about a convert of just over a year, Stacey Miles, that’s the gospel principles teacher in our ward. He used to play for the NFL and then was a successful sports agent for 15 years. He has a lot of health problems so he spends much of his time in the hospital for treatment and walks with crutches. I am so amazed at his desire to live the gospel and the strength of his testimony. He has such strong faith and I love being able to learn from his example each week. He just recently lost a friend and it’s been hard for him to deal with the grieving process. He told us Sunday that when he’s at home he’ll turn on BYU-TV, have the hymns playing on his internet, have talks from general conference on his CD player, and his lesson for gospel principle laying out so he can study it. He said that he loses himself in the gospel so he won’t go nuts. :) I loved that idea that the gospel of Jesus Christ is what brings consistency in a chaotic world, what brings peace in times of discomfort or unease, etc.
7. I just wanted to also bear testimony of the power of personal revelation. I’ve been pondering a question for about two weeks now and last night as I was getting ready for bed the answer just hit me. The Spirit didn’t stop there, but continued to bring scriptures and examples and things that’d I’d already studied about to mind to make connections that allowed me to figure out how to best proceed in applying the answers to the question. I know that "Salvation cannot come without revelation" and that "revelation is vital to [our] daily work. ‘This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed’" (PMG 89). I know that the Lord will give you the answers you seek as you qualify for guidance from the spirit by keeping the commandments and honoring your covenants.

I probably better end because I could go on forever, so I’ll just end by saying that I love you, the gospel’s true, and you’re all fabulous. Have a fantastic week!

Love,
Sister Cannariato