"Living in Truth" & Flower Arranging

Hello Family! 

 

It is honestly so surreal that I'll be home in a couple weeks! Sister Nixon and I have been working SO hard! This week will be even more fun because we are going to invite EVERYONE to Visitor's Sunday. Former investigators, people in the phone that we don't know, etc.  The members have been so good about inviting their friends too! YEAH! 

Members + Missionaries = How missionary work is suppose to be. :) 

Brother Brown is doing well. We had a lesson with him last night about Tithing and Fast Offerings. He was so honest about the concerns he had had in the past with tithing and where we was at now. We need to all be brutally honest with ourselves and with others about our gospel questions so that we can find answers. It is the only way. To sincerelyask WHY things are the way they are, to find answers, and to hear how others gained their testimony too! 

(1 Nephi 15:8) 

Brother Hancock came and shared how he gained a testimony of tithing. He brought up a great point that we live in a world where people are always asking for donations, this is a tool of the adversary to make people want to keep their money because they lose trust in organizations who are dishonest and misuse the money received. "But this is unlike any worldly organization." -Brother Hancock 

A piece of the lesson: 

"I testify that this is the Lord's restored church. We do our part and He will always fulfill His promises. Paying tithing is one of those commandments that is so exact.. You are either paying 10% or you are not. Living the law of tithing can give us confidence to follow other commandments that are harder to quantify, we see the direct results of our faithful actions. It is one of the greatest blessing of being a member of this church- to obey the law of tithing. It is an ancient and Divine law. We are able to show the Lord that we put Him first before anything else. And know that our offering is assisting relief around the world."  -Sister Osmond 

I learned a lot in last night's lesson. I have to say that that has been one of the most amazing things on my mission, to experience learning as I am speaking. When that happens we can know it is by the Spirit. As we open our mouths after our personal preparation and TRUST that the Lord will teach us what we should say for that specific person, He will. 

It has happened too many times to count for me in the past 17 1/2 months. We will be edified and nourished as we seek to edify and nourish the starving spirits of this world. I am so grateful the Lord has nourished my Spirit on my mission and that I have felt of His love as I have loved people here in Wisconsin. 

I have learned that it is through living our testimonies of Jesus Christ that we contribute the MOST to the world around us. 

Something else really stood out to me last night: how the Holy Spirit has prepared Brother Brown throughout his life to receive the restored gospel. 

He has always loved this phrase from Vaclav Havel who was a major leader in the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia- 

"Living in Truth." 

We asked him what that phrase means to him now as he has learned about the Christ's gospel?

He said that in order to live in Truth, we must learn what Truth is. He has always believed that Truth was living with integrity and taking care of those around him. 

"I know know that Living in Truth, is Living in Christ."

I hope everyone has a great week! 

Be safe.

And know that I love each one of you ver7 much! 

The fruits of this church are soooooo good. :) 

Steadfast & Immovable in Christ!

Love, 

Sister Osmond

Ps. It is a dream come true to be able to arrange flowers at the nursing home we volunteer with! They get the flowers at Trader Joe's and let us arrange them however we like! This was an amazing batch!