Noise

      This last Monday, as we were enjoying our p-day, (6am-10pm preparation for the rest of the week, and some much needed R&R), we decided to go to the mall and check out some shops. As we walked around, there was one shop in particular that was blaring some rather loud, and may I add, obnoxious, "music". In my mind, it was just a whole lot of raucous. I thougtht about all that noise, and my mind drifted to one of my favorite poems entitled, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", by Dr. Seuss. One line in particular held particular application to my present situation
  
           For, tomorrow, he knew...

...All the Who girls and boys
Would wake up bright and early. They'd rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
That's one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!




      In this world today, just as in the Grinch's world of Who-ville, we are bombarded by lots and lots of noise, not only by the things we hear, but also all the things that bombard us throughout our day-to-day activites, that serve to distract and take us away from the things that are truly important and that provide true happiness. Now, I am not saying that listening to music, watching movies, and so on and so forth is inherently bad. In fact, there are many wholesome music, movies, books, ect..., in the world today, that can uplift and help us to relax after a long day. But, along with all the wholesome, there is also a lot of noise.

      As we are bombarded each day, we need to learn to shut out all the noise that the world seems to thrust on us at all times of the day. We do this be filling our minds, and our daily lives with good, upwholesome things, the things that matter most, like spending time with family and friends, or going out and serving others. It's a lesson I am only starting to learn: true, unfettered happinesss can only come when we shut out all the noise, and follow our Savior's example by seeking after the good, wholesome things this world has to offer.

Testimony of a Dear Friend

       Today, I am going to be borrowing from Matthew Walker's blog, but it's okay. The original post, and blog can be found here, which I would encourage ya'll to go visit sometime since it's got some really good stuff there. The post is of an investigator and dear friend's testimony who I worked with in one of my previous areas. Her name is Darla Bowes. She will be baptized this Saturday.  Here is her testimony.

        "I want tell you how I came from searching for the Truth since I was a teenager. I've been to almost every denomination you can think of. At 14, I knew I was in the wrong church. At 16, when I started driving, I would church hop. Sometimes I would enter a church building and the people were very friendly but that's as far as it went. I also felt like an outsider at some and even though I yearned to be part of their service, it was too clickish and I was ignored.

I'd even begged members of these different churches to study with me, but to no avail. I felt like I was traveling in a foreign country where I didn't understand their language. I never would give up though and off I'd go to yet another church.

Nothing changed after I was married. We both ended up church hopping. We had children and we drug them with us. That is until one day....

We had a yard sale 6 months ago and up rode two little Elder fellers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on their bicycles. They were so kind and they asked if we had any ties for sale. My husband actually went into his personal stash and let 'em pick through it. They offered to come back and help us clean up after the sale was over. We were dumbfounded but said it was okay but I didn't think they would show.

We couldn't believe they actually showed back up! We had an amazing discussion and they invited us to their church service. Of course we said yes because remember we were church hoppers.

We hadn't even gotten out of our car the first Sunday morning before somebody came rushing over to welcome us. Wow! I figured it was probably a fluke but no, it was a continuous stream of welcomes.

I'll admit, the service was slightly different than any other church I'd been to. It was amazing! I was a sponge and soaked up every smile, handshake, and spiritual lesson. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I didn't want it to end! My heart melted when I went into this class called Relief Society and I was intoduced as a "Sister".

Why is that such a big deal you ask? Well, at other churches, it was explained to me that since I wasn't a part of their church, I couldn't be called a sister.

I have to tell you at this point, I knew in my heart that my search was over. How did I know this?

Every time the Elders would come and teach me, I understood and believed every word. It has been so natural for me. I've been studying with little Elder fellers for almost six months. I have new Elders now that are studying with me and.........

I am getting baptized this Sat! WooHoo!!!!! I am just "giddy" and I can't hardly contain myself. I can't wait to "bury" my old self and become new when I come up outa that water. Oh.....I cannot wait to receive the Holy Ghost after. Spiritually. I am the happiest I've ever been. So......

The moral of this story is: Don't lose hope and don't give up. Keep searching for the Truth and you will find it....at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Well, that's my Testimony and I'm sticking to it. I write these words in the name of Jesus the Christ, and amen."

     I hope this touches you as much as it had touched me. The happiness that comes from sharing the Gospel is beyond what words can express. The Gospel is true, I bear witness of it, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ.