Skyping with family (From Susan)

What a special day, to get to Skype with Nathan, in Guatemala!  Sweet Nath had sent an e-mail several weeks ago sharing that he really wanted to push himself these last few months of his mission.  (awesome)  As such, he didn’t want any distractions, like talking about college stuff, etc.  So, he asked if we could talk about General Conference talks, and gospel topics for our Mother’s Day phone call.  (Loved that! great idea!)

With the various General Conference talk suggestions that came in, here’s where we landed as a family.  (see list below)  It was great to have these talks ahead of time, giving each of us some time to ponder and study the messages beforehand.  Of course we didn’t get to everything, but that was o.k.

Turned out Nathan wanted to start with Elder Lawrence’s talk, “What Lack I Yet?”   It was so awesome sharing insights and ideas as a family, the parts that stood out to each of us, and the specific ways we might apply what had been said.  Here were a few parts from this talk that we liked:

a.    If we are humble and teachable, (the Holy Ghost) will take us by the hand and lead us home.  However, we need to ask the Lord for directions along the way. We have to ask some difficult questions, like “What do I need to change?” “How can I improve?” “What weakness needs strengthening?”

b.      (Elder Lawrence speaking) “Like you, I have received many messages from the Spirit over the years showing me how I could improve. Let me share a few personal examples of messages that I took to heart. These promptings have included:

·         Don’t raise your voice.

·         Organize yourself; create a daily list of things to do.

·         Take better care of your body by eating more fruits and vegetables.

·         Increase your temple attendance.

·         Take time to ponder before you pray.

·         Ask your wife for her counsel.

·         And be patient when driving; don’t exceed the speed limit. (I’m still working on that last one.)

c.    A perfect time to ask, “What lack I yet?” is when we take the sacrament. 

d.    Sometimes we need to ask what we are doing right so that the Lord can lift and encourage us.

Nathan shared a neat idea about this—so, I guess someone Nathan knows made an actual list of the things they were doing right.

·         I don’t struggle with pornography

·         I keep the Word of Wisdom

·         I’m chaste

·         I pay my tithing

Etc.

Then as they humbly prayed “What lack I yet?”  they were encouraged to try to be better in just one more area-line upon line…

Anyway, hard to sum it all up, but it was a wonderful conversation!  I LOVED hearing and feeling the strong testimonies of my children!  It inspired me! THANK YOU NATHAN--this idea was such a strength to our whole family!  

Sending much love your way,

Shaun, Susan, Joseph, Nathan, and Jonathan