Katelyn Elgaaen in Utica New York: April 2018

Monday, April 30, 2018

April 30,2018 Revelation and Obedience

It has been so amazing to work with sister Thomas and seek out all the blessings promised us as we were exactly obedient. We have been finding so many to teach, and having many moments to improve ourselves.
This past week at the missionary leadership council, we focused on the drastic need we have as a mission, and an individual for revelation. Also how obedience relates.
Revelation is the ability to receive an answer to a sincere question.
Obedience is going and doing what we have been asked. One of my favorite examples is 1 Nephi 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
"we will be much happier if we obey God because we love Him and want to obey Him. When we obey Him freely, He can bless us freely. He said, “I, the Lord, … delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end” (D&C 76:5)" - gospel principles
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it."
We should place ourselves in a position to be blessed. Obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings miracles.

Trials are often tests of our obedience. There is a law in Heaven saying if we obey, God will bless us. Trials just allow us to test our will and love for God. He knows we love Him, he allows us to recognize it for ourselves.

President Nelson invited us to "Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort." -President Nelson

May we each individually listen to President Nelson's council to ask of God, and seek out prayerfully what we can do to become more obedient to the Lord's commands.
I know as we do that personally, it will effect our families then the communities and eventually all around us.
Have a wonderful week full of miracles

At the Mall with Harley Mattison

Mission Leaders

April 23,2018 Small and Simple Things

This week has been truly an eye opener and adjustment on focusing more clearly on the Lord's will and doing more His work. Sister Thomas my former MTC companion truly is such a joy to work with.

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6)

How true that scripture is. In the grand scheme of things, we are just a small and simple thing. Simple, yet of great significance to our Father above.

President Howard W. Hunter taught that “frequently it is the commonplace tasks … that have the greatest positive effect on the lives of others, as compared with the things that the world so often relates to greatness.”

I was reading in a talk called "Lessons from Eve" by President Nelson quite a few years ago. He quotes a poem that his Angel wife used as sort of a motto:

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait

’til tomorrow.

For babies grow up,

We’ve learned to our sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs.

Dust, go to sleep.

I’m rocking my baby,

And babies don’t keep"

It is the small and simple moments that take place within the walls of of a home that truly bring to pass greatness.

The difference between a house and a home is the spirit felt inside. 'Let the Holy spirit guide' should be a key element that defines walls that provide shelter from the elements; and walls that protect and shelter from the evil of the world.

Let us 'Improve the shining moments; Don’t let them pass you by'.

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).

Let us strive to make the small and simple moments count. With our jobs, at school, but most importantly with our families.

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased” Heber J. Grant

Making those changes to make our homes more focused on the small and simple things might be challenging at first. But I can promise that as we each prayerfully strive to do so, the spirit will bless us in our efforts. Family bonds will become stronger, and the worries of the world will be unable to dwell within our peace filled homes- centered on Christ.

Activity Day girls feeding the missionaries on 1st day together

Who Me?

Package from a friend

Katelyn drawing of President Nielson

Who Me?

Trying on old dresses

State lines New York

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

April 16,2018 Transfers this Week I'm stayin in Elmyra

"For of him unto whom much is given much is required..." D&C 82:3

I have just been so blessed to be apart of this church. There are blessings beyond number that I know came from my Father above. Because I have been given much I too must give. I know every sacrifice I make for the Lord, every tear I shed while doing His work, is accounted for.

"24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshiped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." Matthew 14:24-33

Peter when he was in trouble instead of turning to the world and 'googling' the answer for how to walk on water he immediately turned to the savior.

When we are faced with the boisterous winds and waves of the world, do we focus our sights and vision on the Savior?

"Look for yourself and you will find loneliness and despair. Look for the Savior and you will find Him and everything else."

Our vision of what is around, and what is to come truly depends on where we stand. If we come to the mount of the Lord we will be able to see above the fog of the earth.

No matter how far we can see into our future, the prophet can see around the corner.

May we all recognize how blessed we are, turn to the Savior and place ourselves in a position to reach down and uplift another.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

A box for Ann

Back seat driver

Decorations

Buttermilk Falls

Cleaning a nasty toilet for service!

With the Young Women of the Elmira Ward

Buttermilk Falls

April 9,2018 What a Day!

This past Friday, April 6th was a powerful day in history. It was the day our beloved savior was born, D&C 20:1 "... being 1830 years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh..." and the chosen day 188 years ago that the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints was restored.

Why did the Lord wait to restore His church until 1830? The priesthood was already on the earth. It was because the Book of Mormon was not completed until March of 1830. The Book of Mormon is the D&C 20:9 "... fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ." Without that cornerstone piece this church would crumble under the pressure of the world.

President Nelson has D&C 107:91-92 "... all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church."

How did you feel when you individually stood and sustained the prophet? Record that feeling and draw back on it when the world causes you to doubt.

In this day we must take up our crosses and follow the divine inspiration given to our prophet dear; 2 Nephi 9:18, Luke 14:27, John 15:18-19. When we stand against the world, we are standing next to the greatest life who ever lived. The role of ministering is a higher law, helping us become more Christ like teachers.

May we never waver from His perfect love, perfect example, and strive to seek revelation on where He needs us to be- and to whom he needs us to seek out.

Let us strive to grow into the principle of revelation by praying daily, reading the fullness of the gospel, and humbly seeking for answers.