We had a very exciting week this week! :D Brother Danny Lee Maynard a.k.a. Danny Boy got baptized, and it was amazing, and it made me soooo happy! (see picture 1 for a more specific visual of how happy-making it was) :D We got up really early Sunday morning to fill up the font, made cinnamon biscuits from scratch, and had a wonderful service. :) After Danny was confirmed in sacrament meeting he was given the Priesthood, two callings, and an opportunity to bear his testimony. And when that man spoke... wow, he spoke with power! His testimony was short, but everyone in that room had tears in their eyes, and it wasn't eloquence, or allergies, but it was the Spirit that Danny spoke with that just testified to our spirits that his words were true. He has come such a long way from where he was, that he perfectly embodies the promise we have to become "new creatures" in Christ, from the projects of Dallas, to a little trailer in the cotton fields of Carey, all old things have truly passed away for this man (2 Cor 5:17-18).
I don't think writing verbatim any of his words would do justice to what he said, but I do want to expand a little on something very profound that he spoke about. Danny talked about how Satan has sought after him since he was a kid, the struggle is real. But, he very simply explained the gospel's weapons of truth empower us with love, and that overcomes ALL things that Satan could every throw our way. It's humbling to be able to see this man, who has experienced many unspeakable sorrows, be able to look back at his life and really see how everything has prepared him for receiving the fullness of the gospel at this time in his life. He is no more hardened by the negative, and dis-sensitized to the bad, but he is able to put into balance that which has been sorrowful with the joy he has experienced, and is now able to fully appreciate his life. He's looking forward now, empowered by that love, and has the unspeakable peace that Christ describes in John 14:26-27.
Danny described his change by describing how he loves at a higher level now, and it made me think of these verses, which I have been pondering on for a couple weeks now:
Moroni 7:42-48 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.
And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.
If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved bretheren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--
But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Wherefore, my beloved bretheren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hat bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
I know that was kind of long, but it really describes the initial and continual change that we go through as we embrace, and live the gospel to its fullest. Our lives change because we become more kind, patient, humble, more enduring because of the new perspective of love we are able to enjoy. We are able to feel more fully all things without being consumed by negativity.
It is truly incredible how powerful truth is... and how having the fullness of the truth allows us to receive more fuller, or complete blessings of our Heavenly Father's love. We know Christ came to redeem us, full of grace and truth (2 Ne 2:6, John 1:14), and He is how we truly get to live with our Heavenly Father again! His plan is perfect, and I know His authority is on the earth today, keeping everything in order in this chaotic, fallen world we live in.
God is great, I know He loves each and every one of His children, and He is patiently waiting for them to make those choices they need to do so, picking us up when we fall, like a patient parent helping out their baby who is just learning how to walk. It really is more amazing to me every day how perfect His plan is, and how simple it is that we only need to act to make it take effect!
So get out there this week, and look for His love, I know you'll find it, and I think you'll be able to find ways where you can be an instrument in His hands to show love to another one of His children.
Hey, and don't forget this little missionary in Texas loves you!
With all my heart,
Sister Heather Ann Lagrosa
Pictures:
1- :D
2- Danny's baptism
3- We're just missing a redhead :P
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