Week 94 Unity

We were able to have a pretty good week this week. We had some great team up visits with the ward members. President interviews also happened which were good also. Our discussion in district meeting was on working with goals to help us better achieve success in our efforts. It seems to be a repeating topic in our district meetings, maybe we just don't get it yet.

Unity is especially important in missionary work, but also in our lives. I have seen as a missionary not being unified with a companion just will not bring the full power of the spirit. I also have seen the great power that can be brought when you are. 

Unity 

Just before the Savior carried out the Atonement, He prayed for His disciples, whom He had sent into the world to teach the gospel. He also prayed for those who would believe in Him because of His disciples’ words. He pled for unity: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21).

From this prayer we learn how the gospel unites us with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and with each other. When we live the gospel, receiving the saving ordinances and keeping our covenants, our natures are changed. The Savior’s Atonement sanctifies us, and we can live in unity, enjoying peace in this life and preparing to dwell with the Father and His Son forever.

The Lord has said, “If ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). You can seek and promote this standard of unity in your family and in the Church. If you are married, you and your spouse can be unified in purpose and action. You can allow your unique qualities to complement one another as you face challenges together and grow in love and understanding. You can also be unified with other family members and with members of the Church by serving together, teaching one another, and encouraging one another. You can become one with the President of the Church and other Church leaders as you study their words and follow their counsel.

As the Church grows throughout the world, all Latter-day Saints can be united. Our hearts can be “knit together in unity and in love one towards another” (Mosiah 18:21). We appreciate cultural diversity and individual differences, but we also seek the “unity of the faith” that comes when we follow inspired leaders and remember that we are all children of the same Father (see Ephesians 4:3–6, 11–13). 

- True to the Faith 

Elder Caleb S. Bailey

Week 93 Temples

We were able to have a great week this week. We were able to have a Temple Trip on Wednesday. Almost everyday we had someone call us to help them out moving something. The Spanish Elders in the area passed us Samantha a girl that is going to get baptized in our ward here soon. We are excited to work with her. 

Temples

Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where the Lord may visit. Only the home can compare with temples in sacredness.

Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. Today the Church is heeding the Lord’s call to build temples all over the world, making temple blessings more available for a great number of our Heavenly Father’s children.

Blessings from Attending the Temple

In addition to being a place where sacred priesthood ordinances are performed, the temple is a place of peace and revelation. When you are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily on your mind, you may take your cares to the temple. There you can receive spiritual guidance.

Sometimes you may feel that you cannot think clearly because your mind is so burdened with problems and the many things clamoring for attention. In the temple, the dust of these distractions can settle, the fog and haze can lift, and you can understand things that you have not understood before. You can find new ways to deal with the challenges you face.

The Lord will bless you as you attend to the sacred ordinance work in the temple. And the blessings He gives you will not be limited to your time in the temple. He will bless you in all aspects of your life. Your labors in the temple will strengthen you and refine you spiritually.

- True to the faith 

Love 

Caleb S Bailey

Week 92 Families

We had a great week this week we were able to have a shortened zone conference. We discussed service of those that we come in contact with and the great effect it can have on our efforts. One of the Priests in the ward came out with us for weekly team ups and we had a great time with that. He is getting ready for his mission and he wants to come out with us often. 

The central part of the plan of salvation is families, without them we would be lost. We come to this earth and receive our bodies to learn and gain experience. Our families even though they maybe difficult at times are a great blessing. The great love that we feel in our families can last for eternity. As we live here on earth we have to continue to build great family relationships. 

President David O. McKay said, “With all my heart I believe that the best place to prepare for … eternal life is in the home”

Have a great week. 

Elder Caleb S. Bailey

Week 91 Talents

My transfer has begun, I'm with my old friend Elder Thomas. We were companions way back in the MTC. We believe we will be able to kill each other off in this ward, the Birch Hills ward. When Elder Sparto left we gave the Tricity ward to the Placentia sisters, they are going to cover both wards do to a shortage of missionaries currently. My first week in Birch Hills has gone well. The ward is great and anxious to do missionary work, even though on the smaller side. They have a couple nights a week we're we are able to go out on visits with a member of the ward. Right now we are working on getting to know the ward and finding some great potential to teach. 

So we have been blessed to be here on this earth, to help carry out the great Plan of Salvation. One thing that we receive is many gifts and talents while we are here. These gifts that we have could be leadership, musical, athletic and etc. There are many talents that we can be blessed with, it is up to us to develop and further these. All too often people look at others talents and fail to recognize the ones that they may be blessed with. So first you must realize what gifts and talents you already may have. Sometimes this might take some help from others. Once they are realized time must be put into them, to help them grow. Nothing will help them improve, effort must be put into them. Another part is having faith in your Father in Heaven to assist you and yourself. As you develop and improve your skills and abilities it is up to you to share that with others. 

We have been blessed with weaknesses, so they may become our strengths. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

Ether 12:27 

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Love Elder Caleb S. Bailey 

Week 89 & 90 The Sacrament & Miracles

Monday 7/10/2017

It wasn't a too eventful PDay. We got a little shopping done and finished up some tasks. There was a activity, we played a few rounds of gator ball. After dinner we went out to try and contact some members of the ward we don't know. 

Tuesday 

Afternoon our studies we went to the park for some contacting. We had the opportunity to talk to a few people and share about the restoration. We did more finding for the rest of the day. The heat ended putting some missionaries out of commission. We did hit the Chick fil a for cow appreciation day a couple times and also 7 eleven for slurpees. 

Wednesday 

In the morning we had a service at the Hathaways. There was an over grown banana tree that we cut down. It took a little while to finish up the job. We went back and finished our studies before we went out for the day. We were able to see the Martin family and share a message with them. We discussed the importance of scripture study and prayer. 

Thursday 

We had a great District meeting focused on the importance of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the greatest tool we have as missionaries, it is the evidence of the truth of the things that we share with those that we meet. We go out and our invitation to everyone is to read and ask God of the truthfulness of it. If those that we invite to read and pray about the Book of Mormon have the promise finding if it is true from the prompting of the Holy Ghost.

Friday 

Our day was taken up mostly by our weekly planning. 

Saturday 

In the morning we had a service helping a family move out of the ward. We seem to have a lot of the older families moving out. We went out and did some contacting of those in the ward that we don't know. We had the chance to talk to Charles's dad for a while about the church. 

Sunday 

Sacrament meeting was great there was a lot of great talks. Elder Sparto spoke of the great worth of souls and the importance of missionary work. One of the greatest feelings that we can have on this earth is seeing those around us come to the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The Sacrament 

It is a great reminder every week of the sacrifice the our Savior preformed on behalf of us. We partake of the emblems to remind us of his sacrifice of flesh and blood. All to often throughout our week we forget to remember. If we strive to remember him always as we go throughout our week we will find it to be a great blessing. As we continue to take his name upon us we become changed or converted. 

Monday 7/17/2017 

It was Elder Spartos birthday so he had a lot of activities planned. After stopping by the mission office in the morning we headed over to raising Cains for lunch. There was a fairly large group that followed for his celebration. We all then went to a mall where we did some shopping. He bought some Wolferine claws. Which he later used to cut random things. Our night continued with us doing a little finding before the night ended. 

Tuesday 

Early in the morning there was a service for the big family history center in Orange. We picked up the move in package for the new apartment they will be moving us to. That took us while to do. After dinner we were able to do some visits of the members. 

Thursday 

We had a great District meeting on the role of the spirit in conversion. It was a nice review, it is so important for those we teach to feel the spirit while we teach them. The spirit is truly the teacher, that is the converting power. After district meeting we had a group of missionaries that went up to the Silverado canyon for lunch. The Flores family was home later on and we taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have been doing very well with their reading which has helped them a lot. 

Friday 

It was our weekly planning day. We weren't able to get all finished up since we moved into a new apartment. That sucked up most our time for the day. We did stop by to see a few people at the end of the night. 

Saturday 

While we were doing some finding in the heat Elder Sparto went down. He stopped for a second and said he felt faint and leaned on me then I eased him to the ground. I gave a call to the nurse and got him back to our apartment. The heat got to him and he had a little heat exhaustion. He was in recovery most of the day. In the evening there was a stake pioneer day celebration that we stopped by, it was a pretty cool event. They setup a town and everything. 

Sunday 

In sacrament meeting a return mission president and his wife spoke. They shared some great experiences. A few stories were shared about following the promptings of the spirit and the great effect it had even saving some people's lives. President Golden was in attendance and we talked with him for a moment before he left. After church the ward had a linger longer in celebration of being a ward for a year. After dinner we did some finishing to our weekly plan, by making some calls. 

Miracles 

We often fail to recognize the effect of following the spirit. There are times were we get a thought and aren't sure whether to follow, us thinking it is our own thoughts not the spirit. The thing is that is how the spirit works through the impressions to our mind. We will be guided by receiving the thought to do something good. It is our job to follow that immediately and not spend time on the subject. The way that we receive more direction from the spirit it showing our willingness to follow the ones that we already receive. So as we do these things we are blessed with more impressions. These impressions bring us Miracles of us acting. 

Week 88 Daily Bread

Monday 7/3/2017

We were able to get our shopping and other tasks finished in the morning. The Orange zone did a outdoor

volleyball game so we stopped by and played a few rounds. We finished up dinner then went out to do a 

little finding before the end of the night. 

Tuesday The 4th of July US

Our day started out with a parade, about 100 missionaries carried flags. That was a few hours, it had to

be especially hot. When we got back and there was a BBQ we went to before we had to be in for the night. 

Wednesday 

Elder Sparto is still fighting off the virus he has, which is being passed around now. I have been fighting

it off now. So we got some rest to help fight it off. We had dinner with the Thatchers at Baja Tacos. The

night ended with us doing some visits to some members of the ward and sharing a message with them. 

Thursday 

Our discussion for district meeting was on receiving revelation through church attendance. We often don't 

realize how important it is to attend church. A great way to receive answers is through our attendance.

After district meeting we went to a ward picnic at the park of one of the church buildings. We went out

to do some finding and met Charles, he wasn't able to meet so we setup an appointment with him. 

Friday 

In the morning we had a service, helping moved the Oakerlunds. They are moving to Utah so we packed

the whole house. The rest of our day was spent weekly planning. The plans for the next week are really 

solid. The Davies took us to dinner. After dinner we saw Charles's father, he talked about how it would be 

good for Charles to work on his faith. The remainder of the night was finding. 

Saturday 

In the morning we had a service helping out in another ward. We helped an elderly woman move some 

boxes. When we were done we finished up our studies then went out to find. We usually heave to catch

everyone before they leave to do things on Saturday, but we were a little late. Dinner was with the Ward

family, they are fun. We tried to see a few people before our night ended.

Sunday 

The morning started with ward council, which was good. Sacrament meeting was cool a couple came back

from their senior mission and they shared some of their great experiences from serving. After church we

tried to stop by a few people. The Hathaway family had us over for dinner. The night ended with a little

planning. 

Daily Bread 

We often don't recognize the effect of daily scripture study. In my observance of those that apply this 

principle and don't, I have seen the great effects. The people that keep the routine of constant daily 

scripture study and prayer have a better life. I'm not saying that it is necessarily easier, but they have the

strength to bear the things that they go through. It is able to bring a great peace to their lives and many

more blessings. We have to make sure that we receive that daily dose of the gospel. We are not only here 

to worship on the Sabbath, but always. 

Week 87 - Contention

Monday 6/26/2017

It was a very busy day. We were able to get Elder Martin's departure stuff taken care of and haircuts in the morning. I got Elder Sparto also. After PDay we had dinner with Bishop, he told us many stories from his mission. Elder Martin got dropped off with the zone leaders then we headed back so Elder Sparto could unpack. 

Tuesday 

Afternoon studies we finished up with getting Elder Sparto in the area. We were able to see a few people throughout our day. We taught the restoration it was good. After dinner with the Westerguard family we went out finding to finish off the night. 

Wednesday 

Afternoon studies there was meetings at the mission office. They lasted a couple hours, during we practiced teaching some of the lessons. Before dinner we were able to do a little street contacting. Dinner with the Paulas was at 301 Cafe in old Placentia. We were able meet with Brother Schinning. We shared the restoration with him. 

Thursday 

In the morning we had District meeting. We had the opportunity to learn of prayer and the language of prayer. It is such a great blessing for us to have a two way communication with our Father in Heaven. After I went into a trio with Birch Hills, while Elder Sparto went to the my Plan meeting. We grabbed some lunch with the people that didn't have to go to the my plan meeting. Elder Sparto was struck with some throat sickness so after he had orders from the nurse to get rest. We picked up dinner from the Thatchers and went in. 

Friday 

Elder Sparto was still a little out of commission. So he rested for the most of the day. We got out at the end of the day to pick up some stuff for him. We were able to help move a refrigerator for a member before the night ended. 

Saturday 

After studies we had a meeting to get introduced to President Golden. We were able to meet him and talk for a quick moment. President gave a great introduction to us. We finished off our evening with some finding. The Brown family a new move in was home so we stopped by to say hello. 

Sunday 

It was a great Sunday, Elder Sparto was able to meet a lot of the ward. We had a great discussion on the Holy Ghost in gospel principles. We often don't realize the many roles of the Holy Ghost and the ways that he blesses our lives. After church we had dinner with the Adlongs. The night ended with us trying to visit a few people. 

Contention 

It isn't productive in anyway, it upsets our Father in Heaven. Just as our earthly parents are upset when their children quarrel, argue and fight our Heavenly Father isn't pleased with it either. When there is contention it is a block to feeling the prompting of the spirit, which needles to say isn't good. 

3 Nephi 11:29 

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

We must strive to be more like the Savior and follow after his example. 

Colossians 3:13 

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.