I realize that what I am about to say really isn't about Visiting Teaching, or Relief Society, but in December, on the Relief Society page at LDS.org it was suggested that the sisters provide service to others and then blog about it. (Go to http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4644-1,00.html to read about it) I don't believe that they mean to toot your own horn, but I think that when we understand what a blessing service can be to both the giver and the receiver, that it encourages others to step in and do more.
As many of you know through being dedicated readers of my blog and reading my profile, I am serving as a missionary for the LDS Addiction Recovery Program. I wanted to share with you my greatest Valentine of the day. This entire day has been filled with kind words and sweet expressions of love from different members of my family. My husband and I started off our day enjoying breakfast together at a restaurant. At Lunchtime, two of my husbands sisters and their spouses & a niece and my husband and I met for lunch together. One traveled from Idaho and one came down from Salt Lake. This evening, one of our children and her family also drove about an hour just to be able to spend a few moments with us for an hour or two before my husband and I had to leave for the evening, because tonight, yes, Valentine evening, my husband and I served as missionaries in one of the Addiction Recovery meetings in the Salt Lake area.
I have to say that tonight was one of the most wonderful meetings I have been to, serving as a missionary. Really good people who have simply made some mistakes, gathered in this meeting and shared the thoughts and feelings that were in their hearts. Hurt, sadness, pain and suffering were shared by everyone there, but in the air, there was still an overwhelming feeling of hope, and that came from our Savior Jesus Christ. As I looked around the room, I saw the faces of our Heavenly Fathers children who jumped for joy at the opportunity of coming to earth in the pre-existence, but after having been here on this earth for many years, have lived some hard and difficult lives. Every participant at this meeting were there because they had the hope in Christ... that His atonement would get them through one more day of sobriety. They suffer, and hope one day at a time.
Throughout this meeting, I was filled with an overwhelming love for these brothers and sisters. All of us come from the very same Heavenly Father, and began our journey in the very same way. It isn't until we arrive on this earth that we even had a clue as to where our paths would lead us and just how difficult the journey ahead mnight be. Some of us stayed on the straight and narrow path, and others took diversions along the way. No matter the diversions some people have taken, or the mistakes that they have made, I still couldn't help but feel such a love and compassion for them. I couldn't help but wonder if this love I was feeling is similar to what our Heavenly Father has for each and every one of his children. I believe that He wants everyone of us back with Him one day. I can't help but feel that He hurts when we hurt, and He morns when He sees His children fall. I also think He must cry tears of joy when He sees his once fallen children, lift themselves up, brush themselves off, repent and start back on their life's journey once again.
Love is what Valentines day is all about, and today for me has been a day jam packed full of love in so many different ways. Family is the best and service is what make this love so sweet, because if we had not been giving service as missionaries to night, we wouldn't have been able to feel such a warm feeling of love that was created through the presence of the Spirit. What a blessing it is to be able to feel the Spirit. I love it and being a missionary is the best! I hope that all of you will have the opportunity to serve a mission for yourself one day. You see, you think you are doing it for the benefit of others, but the blessings and love come back to you ten fold. We are all one big family and family is what life is all about.
One more quick note for those of you who don't know and because this blog post is about this subject.... I also have a blog called "Needing Help with Addiction?" located at http://needinghelpwithaddiction.blogspot.com/ I created it as sort of an extension of the service for those who are either suffering from Addictions or for family and friends of Addicts in particular in areas where they don't have access to this wonderful program of the LDS Church. (This blog isn't in any way an official part of my missionary calling, but I just do it myself to help others who might need it.) I share a weekly message on the particular step we are studying in the Addiction Recovery program guide, and I have lots of helpful resources and links, as well as reading material. If you or anyone you know are struggling with addictions, first go to LDS.org under Home and Family, then to Marriage, Famiy and individual Counseling and then under Addiction recovery program or go directly to this link.... http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,6629-1-3414-1,00.html For more inforation and help then you could send them to my blog.
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