Reflections Then and Now: June 2004 Messenger: Ponder - "To Quietly Think Things Through"

Each month we would receive the "Micronesia Guam Messenger" a mission newsletter. I would look forward to these like Christmas! Each issue would contain a message from President Pulsipher, favorite quotes of Sister Pulsipher that missionaries would include in their letters to the president specifically for her, incoming and out going missionaries, a list of people baptized in the previous month and other excitements.

***June 2004 MESSENGER
Ponder - "To Quietly Think Things Through"
Do you appreciate that you are apart of something really special that is happening in the mission? Incredible things just keep happening! It is an understatement to say that Cornelius is alive and well in Micronesia Guam. A year ago for the months of January through May the mission baptized 91. This year 248. That's over 2.5 times as many. That is something special. Have you thought about why?
"Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." 2 Nephi 4:16 (bolding added) You have used that scripture to prepare your talk for the last zone conference. Did you follow its advice? Have you pondered what is happening in you and in this mission?
We can learn from others. We can read about their experiences and watch what is happening in their lives and think that we understand. But the only things we really know for sure are the things that happen within and to us. Nephi continually pondered the things that happened to him. To what end? He continued to learn more about himself, the people around him, his world and his relationship with his Father in heaven. When President Dellenbach bore his testimony at the Mission President's training in February he said, "I am still trying to figure out who I am and my relationship with the Savior." President Dellenbach has been a general authority for 17 years. you might think, "He should have figured that out by now". Understanding ourselves, who we really are, and all that the Savior means to us is a never ending journey.
So, take some time to ponder, quietly think about, what has happened over the course of your mission. What have you learned? How have you changed? How has your relationship with your Father in Heaven, your Savior, changed? Why has the mission changed so dramatically?
President Hinckley gave a wonderful address at Brigham young University entitled "I Believe". He stated, "Each of us is largely the product of his or her beliefs. Our behaviors are governed by these. They become our standards of conduct". He mentioned the thirteen Articles of Faith, the "We Believes" of this Church. he went on to say, "I have a personal secondary set of beliefs, ten to be exact, that I have written out to serve as reminders and guideposts for my individual benefit. I have been asked to share them. I do so with some reluctance because they are personal, but with the thought that they may give encouragement to others. I have not set these ten statements necessarily in order of their importance."
Here they are:
"I believe in the wonders of the human body and the miracle of the humand mind.:
"I believe in beauty."
"I believe in the gospel of work."
"I believe that honesty is still the best policy."
"I believe in the obligations and blessings of service."
"I believe the family to be the basic and most important unit of society."
"I believe in the principle of thrift."
"I believe in myself."
"I believe in God, my Eternal Father, and His Beloved Son, and Redeemer of the world."
"I believe in Prayer."
So, what do you now believe? Is Cornelius real to you? Is the spirit your daily companion? Do you believe in the "gospel of work?" Elders and Sisters take the time to "ponder and "continually ponder" upon the things that you are experiencing. Write down your "I Believes." Like President Hinckley they will become reminders and guideposts for your life. I have done that. I will share mine with you at another time.
We continue to be so proud of you. We have always believed we had great missionaries. We thrill in what you are becoming and these wonderful people that you are bringing to Christ.

Our Love,
President and Sister Pulsipher

30 April 2013 The More Kids You Have, The Faster the Months Fly By

We did not have to say any prayers to work through problems with Pwopwo or Lloyd yesterday.

I have had the opportunity to learn a lot more about the power of the priesthood in the last month. Studying Elder Ballards talk, "This is My Work and My Glory," reminds me of the importance of the priesthood and remaining worthy of receiving it's blessings.

Elder Ballad shared a story about a girl and her tomato plant. She allowed the plant to live in a dark room and it started to wither. Saddened she learned from her mother that she might give it some water and sun light to revitalize her plant. Upon nourishing the plant, the tomato plant got healthy and started to grow again. Elder Ballard shared the following,

But if we are not careful, we can become like the wilted tomato plant. We can drift away from the true doctrine and gospel of Christ and become spiritually undernourished and wilted, having removed ourselves from the divine light and living waters of the Savior’s eternal love and priesthood power.

If we cut ourselves off from the nourishment we receive from the gospel and blessings of the priesthood in our lives our spirits can become wilted like the tomato plant. It is important to do things like attend church, accept callings and counsel from our church leaders and spouses.

Elder Ballard also shared the opportunity he had to work on the new Worldwide Training, "Strengthening the Family and The Church Through the Priesthood." Watching these segments has opened my heart to understanding more about the power of the priesthood. We are going to start using these segments with our babies to help them learn the important role the power of the priesthood plays in our lives.

I know the power of the priesthood is a real and active power. It is the power of God on earth held by those who are worthy to exercise that power. I know that by the power of the priesthood worlds were created. I know that through the power of the priesthood my life has personally been blessed because I have been sealed to my husband for time and all eternity and our babies with us.

Now as promised, pictures. Sunday Night Dinner with the Kaaukai-Ranis Family and an impromptu beach day at Pokai Bay.