You are Always in the Mission Field

Today I was running an errand when I came across this sign:

 

It reads, "You are now entering the mission field." This does not belong to my church, but I found that it struck me more than it should have. In my angst in preparation for serving a mission, thinking about places I'd love to serve, cute fun clothes and shoes to wear, I've somewhat forgotten something: where you serve does not matter, what matters is how you serve. Being a missionary will be an amazing experience whether I serve in Austria or Oklahoma. (Although Austria would definitely warrant some dancing and singing on some green hills).

It also makes me think of the fact that the moment you leave church, you are entering the mission field. There is someone out there who has questions that need answers, someone who need love, someone who needs a friend like you to introduce them to the gospel. Maybe it's an inactive member, maybe it's a nonmember, maybe it's an active member who needs some service. There is someone who needs you and perhaps your testimony can rekindle their flame of faith. 

I bear my testimony to you that I know that God directs his apostles to send the missionaries wherever they need to go, and wherever they are needed. I know that missionary work is important. I know that Christ lives. I leave these things with y'all in the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

Who we come from, not where

"May 1st, 1885. Having entered into the month of May this morning, I fervently thank God that He has led me, these thirteen years past, with a strong hand. Let me relate how he has led me. 

"Nineteen years ago I first knelt down before God; I then thanked Him, from my very heart, for bringing my wife safely through the great pains of child-bearing. That was the first time in my life that I knelt down to pray in earnest. It was at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. I and my family had been attending the Presbyterian Church at Newbiggin, under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Robinson; through him the great God spoke, and the light dawned on my soul. For some years after that I attended places of worship in Blyth, after leaving Newbiggin in 1867. The 'little drop of the creature' was my stumblingblock. 

"I was persuaded by a gentleman of Blyth to join the God Templars; not only as a deal for myself, but that I might be a light to others. This was in 1872, thirteen years ago. Giving up all company and companions, I determined even to let business go, rather than sit in the scorner's chair for the sake of a livelihood. I flung my whole heart and soul, my wife and children, all I had, upon the Lord; and gave Him the reins to drive as He pleased. 

"A few days after joining the Good Templars I went to an evening meeting in the Wesleyan school-room, conducted by Rev. J. Reid, minister of the English Presbyterian Church in Blyth. His subject was "spiritual life." I came home and said to my wife, 'I am saved for ever; Mr. Reid has told me all things ever I did." From that day till now, I have never had a single doubt as to my salvation, that is, for thirteen years. 

"That the reader may judge for himself which is the best side of the question, I will now give a slight sketch of my life while without God, and and in the world. I was forty years with the window shutters on, and I have been thirteen years with them off, five years between as a half-and-half man." (The Lord's Dealings with William Horn, 1887) 

This is an excerpt from the intro to my great great great great great great grandfather William Horn's book. In this book it talks about his conversion to Christianity and his travels as a minister/missionary. I was overjoyed when I found this book. I love family history. I've really gotten into it ever since my rocking seminary teacher took the last two weeks of school to have us in the family history center. I began to collect all these names for the temple. Over the summer I was able to attend the Manti temple and do baptisms and confirmations for the female names I had at the time. I loved it.  It was such an amazing spiritual experience, and every time I even talk about it I feel the Spirit. I love these people and I've grown closer to them over time.

I was just looking at my family tree a while ago and I noticed that the man who raised my great great great grandfather wasn't his biological father, it was his stepdad. Something happened in 1848, I don't know if it was consensual or not, but Jane Duncan had her boss's baby. They were not married and Robert Lumgair (great great great great grandfather) was not interested in marriage. About five years down the line Jane married a man named James Robertson. My great great great grandfather was named William Robertson Lumgair, his biological father's last name and his step father's last name. James Robertson raised another man's child, adopted the little boy, and later on James and Jane had many more children. James was loving enough and enough of a man to love this woman and her illegitimate child, who he then made legitimate by adopting him. What love, what charity!

This Christlike act was so unheard of at the time. Women were shunned if they committed adultery, especially if a child came about because of it. James Robertson must have seen past that when he married Jane.

I bear my testimony to you that the temple can bring families closer through the sealing power. It is a glorious and sacred blessing to be able to know who you come from, not just where. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. 

This Christlike act was so unheard of at the time. Women were shunned if they committed adultery, especially if a child came about because of it. James Robertson must have seen past that when he married Jane.

I bear my testimony to you that the temple can bring families closer through the sealing power. It is a glorious and sacred blessing to be able to know who you come from, not just where. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

"May 1st, 1885. Having entered into the month of May this morning, I fervently thank God that He has led me, these thirteen years past, with a strong hand. Let me relate how he has led me.

"Nineteen years ago I first knelt down before God; I then thanked Him, from my very heart, for bringing my wife safely through the great pains of child-bearing. That was the first time in my life that I knelt down to pray in earnest. It was at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. I and my family had been attending the Presbyterian Church at Newbiggin, under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Robinson; through him the great God spoke, and the light dawned on my soul. For some years after that I attended places of worship in Blyth, after leaving Newbiggin in 1867. The 'little drop of the creature' was my stumblingblock.

"I was persuaded by a gentleman of Blyth to join the God Templars; not only as a deal for myself, but that I might be a light to others. This was in 1872, thirteen years ago. Giving up all company and companions, I determined even to let business go, rather than sit in the scorner's chair for the sake of a livelihood. I flung my whole heart and soul, my wife and children, all I had, upon the Lord; and gave Him the reins to drive as He pleased.

"A few days after joining the Good Templars I went to an evening meeting in the Wesleyan school-room, conducted by Rev. J. Reid, minister of the English Presbyterian Church in Blyth. His subject was "spiritual life." I came home and said to my wife, 'I am saved for ever; Mr. Reid has told me all things ever I did." From that day till now, I have never had a single doubt as to my salvation, that is, for thirteen years.

"That the reader may judge for himself which is the best side of the question, I will now give a slight sketch of my life while without God, and and in the world. I was forty years with the window shutters on, and I have been thirteen years with them off, five years between as a half-and-half man." (The Lord's Dealings with William Horn, 1887)

This is an excerpt from the intro to my great great great great great great grandfather William Horn's book. In this book it talks about his conversion to Christianity and his travels as a minister/missionary. I was overjoyed when I found this book. I love family history. I've really gotten into it ever since my rocking seminary teacher took the last two weeks of school to have us in the family history center. I began to collect all these names for the temple. Over the summer I was able to attend the Manti temple and do baptisms and confirmations for the female names I had at the time. I loved it.  It was such an amazing spiritual experience, and every time I even talk about it I feel the Spirit. I love these people and I've grown closer to them over time.

I was just looking at my family tree a while ago and I noticed that the man who raised my great great great grandfather wasn't his biological father, it was his stepdad. Something happened in 1848, I don't know if it was consensual or not, but Jane Duncan had her boss's baby. They were not married and Robert Lumgair (great great great great grandfather) was not interested in marriage. About five years down the line Jane married a man named James Robertson. My great great great grandfather was named William Robertson Lumgair, his biological father's last name and his step father's last name. James Robertson raised another man's child, adopted the little boy, and later on James and Jane had many more children. James was loving enough and enough of a man to love this woman and her illegitimate child, who he then made legitimate by adopting him. What love, what charity!

This Christlike act was so unheard of at the time. Women were shunned if they committed adultery, especially if a child came about because of it. James Robertson must have seen past that when he married Jane.

I bear my testimony to you that the temple can bring families closer through the sealing power. It is a glorious and sacred blessing to be able to know who you come from, not just where. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

 

Our Greatest Resources: Family and People

Yesterday, I was able to go visit my great great aunt Rainy, she is my grandma's mom's sister. I got to sit in with the adults (I guess I am one now, aren't I?) and listen to her talk about her life. She grew up a nonmember, in a home of five or six siblings.  She did not have a happy childhood, her father was physically abusive to her brothers and her mother, they were very poor most of her childhood. Aunt Rainy said she didn't like to talk about it, but stories like hers need to be heard. She was an amazing woman who sounded like a wonderful mother to her children.

I loved listening to her stories and what she knew about her family history. I loved finding out more information about the people who wrote the letters I have at home (some are written by her brother Porter, who died in WWII). 

She is so full of charity, the pure of Christ, that I just wanted to keep talking to her. She is such a loving person; she doesn't judge anyone. I loved talking to her and listening to her stories. Her patience and love made me want to become like her one day. She came to her challenges, and used them to springboard into becoming the wonderful woman she has become. I want to come see her again, but this time with my my mom and dad, and siblings. They will love her and she will love to hear from us.

I bear my testimony that families are eternal. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.