Appreciation...moments

 At one of his recent baptisms in 

North Carolina

Hello Everyone!

This last week has been busy! We've done a lot of service for a lot of people. One was a member who was trying to move but it was short notice so not very many people could come. In fact, it was just him, his son, my companion and I. From 9:30 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. we were loading furniture and making loads...my backs killing me but it was great! We had a blast plus, I was able to put my tetris skills to the test as we packed the moving van. 

You know how they say, "Sharing is caring"? Well, it isn't...not when it comes to sharing a cold. But my wonderful, loving companion with the big heart that he has decided he would share with me the cold he was just enjoying all to himself....thank goodness for lots of garlic and modern medicine. It's been good though. It's really hard for me to complain when I'm sick (which I hate) because I always think how it makes me appreciate the good times in life when I'm not sick. There's a true principle there: If you want to appreciate something, imagine yourself without it. If you want to appreciate health, get sick! If you want to appreciate family, go on a mission (where you have barely any contact with them)! If you want to appreciate the Gospel and the commandments and even the Atonement of Jesus Christ, imagine yourself, or if you're a convert, remember yourself without those blessings. It's a pretty good formula to live by for when you find yourself taking things for granted or sliding off into "unknown paths" imagine the consequences and straighten yourself up. It's a lifelong process but that's what the Atonement is for. It's for imperfect people to become good and for good (still imperfect) people to become better. Grace = enabling power. Grace is granted to those who put their faith in Christ and have the COURAGE to admit to themselves they need to change and strive DILIGENTLY to be better. Trust me, in the eternal perspective it's worth it.

Hope ya'll are doing great because I sure am! This past weekend was fantastic!

Love ya'll
Elder Smith