Are you big-hearted?

The heart is a tender place.
Often, we may describe a person by their heart.
We use phrases like “big-hearted” or “kind-hearted” or “goodhearted” or sometimes even having a “heart of gold.”
They are kind, generous, gracious, thoughtful, compassionate and are often the first to extend a helping hand when it is needed, without any expectations attached.
They really care.
They are in touch with how their hearts feel and let others know.
They also lift others and always see the good in them.
Yes – that’s those with a big heart.
Do you know any such souls?
There are a few of these people in my life right now, and I treasure every one of them.
All week long, our missionaries have been speaking with lots of people about love.
And they’ve given out lots of big hearts!
It has been Valentine’s week after all!
I know that hearts are softened by love.
Love has a way of spreading.
It can make your day sparkle.
And if you’re happy, you can illuminate someone else’s day.
Missionaries love to serve others with all of their hearts.
They’ve been illuminating people’s life’s all week long.
At the drop of a hat, they’re off serving, to lend a hand to someone in need.
I hope when you meet the missionaries, you will not fear them, but are willing to listen and learn from them.
After all, each one of them has a big heart and they just love to share what’s in it.
𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒊𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕?

Ambition

When Joe Wilson finished college and joined his father in a small family-owned business, Mr. Wilson was overjoyed.
“It will be good to have some aggressive young management around the place,” he said.
“Your first duty as my new partner is to replace that sign out front with one of those father-and-son signs…. you know the kind.”
“Yes, I know just want we need,” Joe said.
Later he invited his father out to inspect the new sign.
Mr Wilson was speechless for a moment….then he said…
“Now that’s what I call real aggressive young management.”
The sign read: Joe C. Wilson & Father.

Love Letters

Last night we had some good friends visit, John and Rebecca Muntinga.
It was lovely to see them, eat dinner, catch up and relax together.
We love to play games, and they introduced us to a new one called Love Letters.
It’s a game of risk, deduction, and luck, but very topical for valentines this week.
Players attempt to deliver their love letter into the Princess’s hands while keeping other players’ letters away.
It was a fun game, and we had quite a few laughs playing together.
Reflecting upon the game this morning, I recalled the many love letters that I sent in my younger years, especially with valentines.

Acronyms

I remember the acronyms that I’d write on the back of the envelope such as:
S W A L K – Sealed with a loving kiss.
I T A L Y – I trust and love you.
H O L L A N D – Hope our love lasts and never dies.
(Holland proved to be a good one for me!)
Whilst dating, Monic and I were so far apart, that we still treasure our letters today.
Our missionaries too, like receiving letters from home, as parents, siblings and sometimes even a girlfriend of boyfriend express their love.
In a way, the holy scriptures are like love letters from home telling us how we can draw near to our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.
Gordon B. Hinckley said; “Love is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is not found only at the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arched across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, and neighbours! Love, like faith, is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue.”
Today’s texting lingo may be:
BFF – Best friends forever
ILY – I love You
FIMH – Forever in My Heart.
IMHO – Why not send a letter of love to someone today…?

Using time wisely

“𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞?” I asked, in our Mission Leadership Council.
“Lets make a pie chart of the last 7 days” I said.
“How many hours are in a week?” I asked.
A few seconds later, the response was “168.”
Then I asked them to consider several things that they did and to discuss their week together.
How long did you spend…
– sleeping?
– eating?
– exercising?
– in personal grooming?
– shopping?
– cleaning?
– travelling?
– in personal study?
– in companion study?
– in language study?
– in meetings?
– in planning?
– in finding?
– in teaching?
– relaxing?
The result?
There were a few audible gasps in the room when they discovered surprising patterns in how their time was spent.
Using a simple graphic to visualise a typical day or a typical week can be very helpful.
It can help you understand where your time goes and how you can make use of your time better.
Ultimately, the use of an effective time management chart, will help you understand how your time is spent on the many different things you do in life.
After completing the exercise, we turned from the past 7 days, to the next 7 days.
By using the results of their personal time management chart, a quick analysis, will help improve their way of getting things done, and become more productive.
With this approach everyone can make the most of their time and avoid mistakes that can happen.
In essence, time management is really self-management and discipline in how we manage ourselves.
Time flies, but just remember, you’re the pilot!
How can you be more thoughtful and intentional about how you use your time, and make space for the things that matter most?

A Big Hug

There is nothing like a hug, to help someone feel loved.
In our mission, we embrace one another – often!
We’re huggers!
You can’t help but wrap your arms around someone without sending over just a wee bit of love.
Last week saw another transfer day.
Missionaries arrive and missionaries depart.
And in between there is a lot of hugging!
It’s a way to let the people we love, know how much they mean to us.
Arriving at the airport, being met with a big hug from a complete stranger can be a little overwhelming for some!
As you can see below, there are all different kinds of hugs…
The heart-to-heart hug, the side hug, the nervous hug, the friend hug, the bear hug, the polite hug, the tight hug, the quick hug, the comforting hug, the one-sided hug, the one-armed hug and many more…
We hug each other when we are excited, happy, sad, or perhaps when trying to comfort someone.
There are lots of benefits to hugging.
They help you feel happier.
They help to reduce anxiety and stress.
They help you feel that everything will be okay.
They strengthen our relationships.
In my opinion – we absolutely need hugs!
When someone embraces you, somehow the world just seems a little lighter.
If you are feeling just a little uncomfortable with hugging, then my advice – practice!
Whether you limit hugs, or you hug everyone you meet, please know that hugs are good for you.
And if you are arriving any time soon in the Belgium Netherlands Mission, be prepared to hug!
Go on, find someone today and give them a big hug…(with permission!)

Good things take time

Everything important in life takes time.
This week one of our missionaries Libby Wilcox, shared a thought with me – “𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆.”
It takes time – to learn a new language.
It takes time – to build new relationships.
It takes time – to listen.
It takes time – to talk.
It takes time – to graduate.
It takes time – to form a new habit.
It takes time – for a beautiful garden to blossom.
It takes time – to heal.
It takes time – to pray.
It takes time – to study the scriptures.
It takes time – to come to know Jesus Christ.
It takes time – to focus on things that matter most.
It’s taken time, precisely 36 days of the new year, to arrive at today.
Each of those days, Monic and I have tried harder to slow down and consider those things that matter most.
Talking, listening, encouraging, and sharing.
These things cannot be rushed, sometimes we fail.
They happen when we do things together, walk, travel, eat dinner, and by turning off any media so that we can focus on one another.
I invite you to be patient… meaning to actively wait and endure.
Take time to focus more on consistent and steady improvements in the way you work and in the way you live.
Slow and steady does win the race.
Remember Aesop’s fable of the Hare and the Tortoise.
The moral of the story is that you can be more successful by doing things slowly and steadily, by taking time, than by acting quickly and carelessly.
The race is not always to the swift.
What good things are you pursuing that take time?

Sandpaper

Regularly, I enjoy watching “The Repair Shop” on BBC1.
Oftentimes, I fall asleep during the programme and have a wee power nap and sadly miss the action but feel revived!
Either way, I feel refreshed!
After all, it is a time for me to chill and relax a little.
I do however enjoy listening to the stories and watch the remarkable repairs of many broken or damaged objects brought back to life, through the incredible skills of the craftsmen and women.
Their eye for detail is exceptional.
Their toolkits are filled with the weirdest and most wonderful gizmo’s ever conceived.
Yet – the most frequent tool I see, is a simple piece of sandpaper.

Sandpaper…

Sandpaper comes in many grits: Coarse (40 to 60 grit), Medium (80 to 120 grit), Fine (150 to 180) and so it goes on to Very, Extra and Super Fine.
In the “Repair Shop” different grits of sandpaper are often used to smooth off the rough edges of many pieces of raw wood.
In a like manner, yesterday, as we bid farewell to another group of departing missionaries, I thought about how their many diverse mission experiences, were like different grits of sandpaper, used through their period of missionary service to smooth off their rough edges.
Neal A. Maxwell said “In life, the sandpaper of circumstances often smooths our crustiness and patiently polishes our rough edges. There is nothing pleasant about it, however. And the Lord will go to great lengths in order to teach us a particular lesson and to help us to overcome a particular weakness, especially if there is no other way.”
I have come to realise that trials are like a spiritual sandpaper that God allows into our lives – regularly.
How can our trials smooth us and prepare us for the challenges of life?

Undaunted

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞…
For eighteen months or two years, thousands of 18 – 26 young men and women leave their homes voluntarily and at their own expense, to serve a mission in far off lands for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Later today, we will receive another five, who will serve in Belgium and the Netherlands for a season, namely: Kiera Wadsworth, Grace Warner, Brigitta Broadbent, Pedro Jalo and Ian Schwab.
Each of them will serve thousands of miles from home.
It is viewed as an exciting adventure, with an instant network of friends to help them adjust to their home away from home.
It is in their homes that they will have learned the values by which will guide their lives.
I know too that homes are places where life’s greatest lessons are learned and taught.
Yet now, they will be learning, living and working in a completely different cultural environment from their experience of home life so far.
Overcoming the language barrier can also make it difficult at times.
It is the daunting reality of missionary life.

Yet – they are 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝.

Each of them arrives with their luggage, containing only a few physical possessions.
They are however, armed with a deep-rooted desire, faith, and hope as they individually embark upon their period of missionary service.
Theirs is a mission of love and service.
Empathising, both Monic and I are constantly trying to put ourselves back in their shoes.
It’s 30+ years since we both served respectively, far from home.
As Mission leaders and mentors, we have many roles, including to provide a bit of a pick-me-up when things are challenging.
Frequently, we help missionaries to see the big picture and how they’re making progress.
For missionaries, knowing that someone cares about their personal well-being and believes in them can help them deal with the umpteenth “rainy” day on their mission.
And then, before they know it, like a few in the picture below, their time is over.
Its transfer day today.
It means much change throughout the mission to accommodate those arriving and departing.
With a heart filled with love, we bid farewell to our dear friends who are returning home in the next few days Julia Hyer, Nefi Regalado, Harrison Wright and Rafe Baldwin.
Mission accomplished, as they return home with honour.
What has been your experience living thousands of miles away from home?

All My Heart

My daily routine…
After I dress myself in my shirt and tie, I slide my nametag onto the breast pocket.
Doing so, reminds me of who I am representing daily.
Constantly, I am reminded, that the name of Jesus Christ is positioned next to my heart.
Today, I noticed something extra.
For the last 19 months, immediately after I slide my nametag into position, I then place a folded A4 piece of paper into my breast pocket.
On the paper is a list of names and areas of everyone in the mission.
We call it the By-Zone.
Currently there are 130 names on the list for this transfer.
The names change every six weeks, as missionaries arrive and depart.
Many other names have been on the list too.
It struck me today, that the list of names is one layer of cotton, closer to my heart.
The names are positioned between Christ’s name and my heart.

My Heart

The heart is a tender place.
We feel things in our hearts.
I know every single one of those individuals listed on the paper.
They are much more than merely names.
They are real people, who I have met with, laughed with, cried with, rejoiced with, taught with, prayed with, dined with, played games with, juggled with, sang with, travelled with, and counselled with.
I love them.
My heart overflows with gratitude for each of them.
Many are home now.
For a season, their names were next to my heart.
Over time, their names have migrated from next to, to deeply ingrained and written into my heart.
At times, there is a tug on my heart, and my thoughts are directed to each of them, one by one.
Like family members, their hearts are bound to my own.
In Luke 10:27, the Saviour explained, we must “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, … soul, … strength, and … mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
What does it mean to love someone with all your heart?

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰?

12 months ago, I recall listening to a Europe wide devotional with Russell M. Nelson.
During the broadcast, his wife Wendy, talking about her husband, said he “…never delays. He never puts off anything. I learned this early in our marriage, when as we’d be drifting off to sleep, I would think of something I need his help with and softly mentioned it to him as something we might do on the weekend. What’s wrong with right now, would be his enthusiastic response. And suddenly, we’d be in the garage looking for a hammer and nail to hang a picture.”
I learned a great lesson that day.
For months, I’d delayed looking at a connectivity problem with the DVD player. It was fixed within minutes of the broadcast – much to Monic’s delight.
Growing up, frequently I heard about Spencer W. Kimball’s slogan displayed on his desk… “DO IT”
His work ethic was legend, establishing a pattern for all of us to follow.
Are you delaying something?
It is my experience that you and all of us can change, and it can be 𝒏𝒐𝒘..
There is a growing need for timeliness.
The time for action is now.
DO IT, later became DO IT NOW!
Do it.
Do it right.
𝐃𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰!