Dec 24th-Dec 30th

Dec 24- Dec 30th
Christmas week was exciting, having time to talk with our children and grandchildren on the phone. We even talked with our grandson in Ecuador!  Busy with Gingerbread and giving more and more tours.:)

 
Christmas day evening we were able, with other Senior Missionaries, to serve dinner to over 400 individuals at a homeless shelter in Omaha.  It was a great opportunity to get a couple of referrals to send missionaries to meet with some gentlemen. It is so wonderful to serve others and see the smiles and receive their thanks, “ this is the best meal I've had all year”!
Two thoughts on this coming year:
Goals are important and here is a quote from President Ezra Taft Benson on personal growth through goal-setting.

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1943, and served as the 13th President of the Church from 1985 until his death in 1994 at age 94.

"Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short- and long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others can be set up. Some will be continuing goals. Each week when we partake of the sacrament we commit ourselves to the goals of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, of always remembering him and keeping his commandments. Of Jesus' preparations for his mission, the scripture states that he 'increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man' (Luke 2:52). This encompasses four main areas for goals: spiritual, mental, physical, and social. 'Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?' asked the Master, and he answered, 'Verily I say unto you, even as I am' (3 Ne. 27:27). Now, there is a lifetime goal—to walk in his steps, to perfect ourselves in every virtue as he has done, to seek his face, and to work to make our calling and election sure....

"Let your minds be filled with the goal of being like the Lord, and you will crowd out depressing thoughts as you anxiously seek to know him and do his will. 'Let this mind be in you,' said Paul. (Philip. 2:5.) 'Look unto me in every thought,' said Jesus. (D&C 6:36.) And what will follow if we do? 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.' (Isa. 26:3.)"

- Ezra Taft Benson, "Do Not Despair," Ensign, Oct. 1986, 5
Click here to read the full article
Second on learning with the new church program “Come Follow  Me”
The scriptures contain the words of Christ and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long. …

“Through normal activity each day, you and I lose a substantial amount of the water that constitutes so much of our physical bodies. Thirst is a demand by the cells of the body for water, and the water in our bodies must be replenished daily. It frankly does not make sense to occasionally ‘fill up’ with water, with long periods of dehydration in between. The same thing is true spiritually. Spiritual thirst is a need for living water. A constant flow of living water is far superior to sporadic sipping” (“A Reservoir of Living Water” [Church Educational System fireside, Feb. 4, 2007], 2, 9, speeches.byu.edu).
May we strive to come closer to our Savior as we learn of Him and serve as He would serve. We love you. Have a great new year!

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