February 19, 2013

Ahh, well this was a pretty good week. Unfortunately we had a decent amount of cancelations of appointments and lessons so we didn't achieve our goal of 20 lessons a week, but we did get some lessons on Sunday that I wasn't expecting so we did achieve 17 lessons this week. Next week we have a plan to teach about 24 lessons. It will be WONDERFUL!!

This week on Friday I did turn 21 years old!! I thank all those, as my mother reported to me that wished me happy birthday on my Facebook account. When I was a lot younger I never expected to turn 21, thought it was a long time in the future, well, now it's a reality.

 Colby's cake (i LOVE that they got him one)

his new ties... (they all kinda look the same don't they?? =) I think he likes paisley)

 In addition we had Stake Conference this weekend. It was great, we had some great talks about missionary work in the adult session and on Sunday we had a broadcast that had Elder Pieper, Scott and President Eyring. Plus we had I think Sister Stevenson, one of the Primary Presidency there as well. It was interesting, since the broadcast was for those who lived in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Very interesting how personal revelation could be had for those who live in those 3 states.

Well, unfortunately the last couple days the both of us have been pretty sick. I have a sore throat and it was very hard for a lack of a better word. To have our 2 hours of companion study today. Just really had no motivation, then on top of that my shower had no hot water. Being the third one to take a shower I tend to not get hot water. That certainly didn't help my sore throat and stuffy nose. What was cool on Monday (yesterday) we had dinner with a family, then we had Family Home Evening and they invited a non member friend over who was a friend of one of their daughters. The dad taught principles from the for the strength of youth pamphlet, he even went over part of the Law of Chastity and having good language and some other things. He asked some questions about the Plan of Salvation, he said, that he would like to stay on track. That can be for a conversation we could have on another date. It was a good experience.

Well, this time my reading has taken me to about Alma 40, that I had read today. From Alma 35-42 are Alma talking to his sons about some tings that they really need to know. He is talking to his 3 sons. I like that, because we as a family need to talk to each other, and help each other in their understanding of the Gospel. In each of the chapters and to the 3 sons which have a different understanding and situations. For example Alma talks to Corianton differently, because he went on his mission to the Zoramites, but he went with the Harlot Isabel and sinned. Whereas the other 2 didn't do that. Alma instructs each of his sons different. Thus we need to do the same with our families, what one member may be struggling with another may not be so. It is better for you to wait for the one member to come to the understanding than moving on. Your only as fast as the slowest person. Having each person explain each topic in their own words can actually help, because something they may say will trigger the holy ghost to have them understand and something may come up and they will learn.

Well, I feel like I should express these feelings in this e-mail. I know that personal revelation and instructing in families is essential for us to do in this life. I truly love the Book of Mormon, it allows us to learn many things, and things that we can personally apply in our lives. These things I leave with you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

--

Elder Colby Stewart Haymond
Oklahoma, Tulsa mission
Owasso, Oklahoma