September 18, 2017

Hey,

This week was really fun. After getting to email last week we headed up to the mission home to spend a few hours with President and Sister Hymas. It was super fun we got to go with my whole zone along with  another zone. It was so much fun. We played a lot of fun games. We really got to know the Hymas's better. Got to see some old comps. It was really fun. 

Then I got to go on an exchange with a new missionary named Elder Henry. He is from Spanish fork Utah. He is really tall as well. He has been in the field for about 3 weeks so it was cool to see the growth that he has had since the first time that I got to go out with him. During the exchange we saw these people parked on the side of the road with their hazards on. We stopped and were able to help them. They didn't speak much English so we got to help them call a tow truck to help pick them up. They live down in Stockton, CA so we were able to follow up with them. But we were able to get their contact info and refer it to the missionaries down there. That was pretty cool.

Then we were able to do some family history with a recent convert in this ward named Ian. We help get him started and pointed in the right direction. But while we were with him we didn't have much success if finding any names. But after we left we got s message from him saying that he was working on it and he found a big tree line in his tree and he found some names to do at the temple. When he went to the temple he had a really cool experience. He had mentioned to us that he can see why so many people like to go to the temple so often. Pretty cool to see the change that he has had. 

Then I had an interview with president Hymas. It was really cool. Now that I know him it really is more personal and really can feel the loves that he has not just for me but for all the missionaries. 

Then through studies this week I really understand better a few things.....

Real Intent

This week i have bee focusing a lot of Having "Real Intent" as you do all things in your life. It has definitely been cool to see how much you get out of things when you put a lot more effort into them. Crazy to think that's how things work. Threw this last week i have seen a lot of people who have done the same thing. For example reading the Book of Mormon. There are a lot of people who get a lot more out of reading the Book of Mormon then other people do. I think that it all goes back to the real intent and why they are doing it. Kind of their motivation for reading. As i have applied the this principal i have definitely see a big change in how my scripture study turns out and the things that i am able to apply in my life. I am also very grateful for the spirit that comes in abundance with the effective studies. When Real Intent stops the downward slide of pain and misery begins. The point real intent ceases is the point where regression encroaches on our lives. You must always strive for real intent in all things to diminish the effect of the advisory. 

Allegory of The Olive Tree

As i was studying Jacob 5 i was able to understand it a little better. It's a very big chapter and there is a lot that's in it. When I read verse 65 and it talked about how we can not cut down to many branches at once or the roots will be to powerful for the branches and the tree will not have balance and it will die. If you look at the branches as out works both good and bad. You want to try to cut down the bad branches but you have to do it little by little. (Alma 37:6, 1 Nephi 16.29) Then as you go and read in verse 73 it talks about how they had to keep a balance in the branches and the roots. I really like to think about this. Because it is so important that we have a balance in life in all things or life just gets harder. Life is already hard. We need to be doing things that make it easier not harder. Then to finish in Jacob 6:4 it talks about how the lord always remembers the roots and the branches. This is just a big comfort to me because it shows that no matter when, what, or where. God is still watching. He does it all because he loves you and me. 

Sincerely,

Elder Berry