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Jump in!

January 1, 2023

Did you dip your toes in the water a little?

OR

Did you jump in at the deep end?

Which metaphor describes your 2022?

What did you do particularly well?

𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 2023

As each year passes by, we never stay the same.

𝐖𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞.

Truth beknown, I learned last year that you can’t deliver your best work if you’re not energised!

I chose to jump in at the deep end and rediscovered the of power napping!

It’s been great!

It has reawakened a host of benefits for me.

I was keen to change and be reenergised!

I witnessed, time and time again many others who changed in a much more significant way.

There were many that I encountered who were seeking to change who met with our missionaries.

Many decided to jump in and become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It changed their whole life.

They too have been re-energised!

It has been a real joy to become acquainted with them.

Like many hundreds of thousands before them, they chose to dip their toes in a little to start with, and then decided to jump in!

Happiness often springs from small and unexpected sources.

You will find it in abundance as you choose to follow Jesus Christ this year.

That’s the message I would like to share with you as we start 2023…

All over the world in 2022, missionaries were life savers for thousands of others – just like you.

I look forward to becoming acquainted with you too.

Why not dip your toes in to start with?

Or better still, choose to jump in at the deep end!

Either way, it’ll be the best decision you make this year.

Three Gifts

December 23, 2022

𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓮 𝓖𝓲𝓯𝓽𝓼…

Our missionaries have been very busy this week.

There has been lots and lots of service in the community.

And, in addition, at Christmas market’s, town squares and on many a street corner throughout Belgium and the Netherlands, missionaries have given away thousands upon thousands of gifts.

Greeting so many, the message is simple “𝓜𝓮𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓶𝓪𝓼”

We’re not talking about the latest Red/Blue Nintendo Switch for son, the Barbie Extra Deluxe for daughter, the beautiful new necklace and flowers for mum or the special new jumper and tie for dad.

No, none of those.

Set those and the many other gifts galore aside.

We didn’t even give away any gold, frankincense or myrrh.

Remember, the gold points to Jesus’ royalty, the frankincense to his divinity, and the myrrh to his humanity.

All of which we honour and respect.

Rather consider the little gifts we did giveaway.

Three little chocolate hearts filled with only one thing – 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮.

Through it all, there is perhaps one common denominator for Christmas – it is 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮…

“God be thanked for loving us enough to send His Only Begotten Son. Jesus Christ changed the world for each of us with His atoning sacrifice. He is the light of the world. He is the light we need to hold up. He is the light that fills us with good will toward all people.” Russell M. Nelson

We hope amid all the hustle and bustle of gifts and gatherings, you will let your life reflect the 𝓵𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 of Jesus Christ this Christmas time.

Merry Christmas dear friends.

Welcome Back

December 21, 2022

𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌!

It seemed as if it was only yesterday that Melanie Coates was departing for home from her mission.

That was back in July already.

“Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I’m glad for that.” — Ally Condie

It was an absolute delight to have her visit briefly with her sister Emma this week and to catch up again.

We loved to reminisce, share stories, smile, and laugh – a lot.

Friendships are so important.

Our time together reminded me of this little poem entitled True Friend by Ashley Campbell.

“A friend is like a star that twinkles and glows

Or maybe like the ocean that gently flows.

A friend is like gold that you should treasure

And take care of forever and ever.

A friend is like an angel that is there to guide you.

A friend is someone you can trust out of a few.

A friend is more than one in a million.

They are one in a ca-zillion,

And you, my friend, are very special

and so it is official.”

Good friends are a little like stars, you may not always see them, but you know they are there!

Stay safe my dear friend – until we meet again.

What kind of friend are you?

No Room?

December 4, 2022

Ｎｏｒｏｏｍ？

We had an incredible Christmas Conference in Brussels on Friday with our entire missionary force.

They are certainly a force to be reckoned with!

It was a wonderful experience, a real delight to be with everyone and one of many highlights of 2022.

Although the chapel was tightly packed, we had enough available room to spare for everyone to gather and sit comfortably.

During the course of the conference, I shared a verse of scripture from Luke 2:7…

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was 𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 for them in the inn.”

Sterling W. Sill commented on that verse as follows:

“For His entire thirty-three years on earth, this cry of “𝒏𝒐-𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎” almost became a theme song for His life. With many people there was no room for His teaching. There was no room for His miracles, no room for His doctrines, no room for His faith.

Even in our day, with the judgment of time shining upon his life, we are still re-enacting the ancient scene of Bethlehem by crying, “No room, no room.”

We make room for gifts, but often we have no room for the giver. We have room for our own commercialism of Christmas and our pleasure seeking on the Sabbath day, but we have no room for worship. No room for service, no room for righteousness. The reason there was no room in the inn was because all of the available space was already occupied. And we are only following the ancients when we fill our lives so full of other things that we have no time or space left for the Light and Life of the world.”

Pause for a moment.

Look around, the annual commercialisation of Christmas is now well underway – again.

Christmas is what each of us make it.

Despite all the distractions, it is up to each of us to choose to put Jesus Christ at the very centre of our celebrations.

“Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Saviour the focus of the season. We can keep Him in our thoughts and in our lives as we go about the work, He would have us perform here on earth.” – Thomas S. Monson

I hope that as we start to count down the days to Christmas, each of us will remember the light that Jesus Christ brings into our lives’ and always remember to make room for Him.

What room are you making for Christ in your home this Christmas?

Glorious!

November 27, 2022

Ｇｌｏｒｉｏｕｓ！

Friday was a long day of missionary interviews in Rotterdam.

Arriving back at the house late afternoon, the mission home was filled with missionaries busy transforming the living room into a film studio for a Christmas video.

Observing from a distance, my first tuneful thought was, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”

It wasn’t long before a beautiful Christmas Carol was sounding melodically through the mission home, filling it with love, peace and joy.

“𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈, Glory to the new-born King…” they sang.

Many beautiful truths and countless Christmas traditions are even more powerful because they have been set to music.

We sing songs of praise, worship, and gladness as we recount the events of the glorious birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

Remember these inspiring Christmas carols…

“𝑱𝒐𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, the Lord will come, and earth receive her King!”

“𝑶 𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒆𝒉𝒆𝒎, How still we see thee lie”

“𝑶𝒉 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒇𝒖𝒍, Joyful and triumphant!”

“𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉, sweetly singing o’er the plains”

“𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕! 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕! All is calm, all is bright”

“𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓, no crib for his bed”

“𝑭𝒂𝒓, 𝑭𝒂𝒓 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒏 𝑱𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒂’𝒔 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔, Shepherds of old heard the joyous strains”

The Lord has said that the songs of the righteous are prayers unto Him and they should be answered with blessings upon the heads of those who sing them. (D&C 25:12)

The missionaries singing, brought greater peace and harmony into our home.

There was even more…

As their sweet voices, elegant music and sacred words passed through our ears, they penetrated deeply into our hearts, drawing each of us closer to God.

It was beautiful.

What is it that brings such love and joy into our lives?

It is the Spirit of Christmas.

Drop the last syllable and that becomes the Spirit of Christ.

His spirit had just entered our hearts once more.

One of the greatest glories of Christmas is the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came to earth to help us get His glory into our lives.

Enjoy singing many carols this Christmas Season – they are truly 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬!

What is your favourite Christmas Carol?

Patterns

October 25, 2022

That’s a 3-year-old me on the left, with my younger sister – both wearing cardigans knitted by my mum.

Throughout her life, mum used knitting patterns to create woollen wonders.

As a child I recall watching my mum knitting hats, socks, gloves, scarves, shawls, cardigans, jumpers and so forth! As she settled down to watch the television, she would inevitably pull out her latest knitting project – and off she went.

On a few occasions I’ve tried my hand at knitting.

Knitting

Mum gave me some pointers on casting on, and the appropriate techniques – but then I had to learn the pattern!

Have you ever tried reading a knitting pattern?

To the uninitiated, they can look like a foreign language, cast on 140 sts, knit 1, purl 1 repeat etc!

But to those who know – they are a sure pattern, followed precisely, will lead to success, each and every time. Indeed, their beauty is in their simplicity, if you understand the direction. Each pattern doesn’t just suddenly appear, it needs to be carefully considered, written and practised.

As we stand on the shoulders of those giants who have preceded us, who have lived by these patterns before, we soon realise that we can replicate success or failure depending upon the patterns of life we choose to live by.

Just as there are many thousands of well used knitting patterns, in a like manner, there are tried and tested “patterns for life” that once understood and emulated will always lead you to higher ground.

In fact, followed with exactness these patterns will always lead to success.

So what are these patterns and how do we follow them in our lives?

And by following them, what will we become?

Regarding the fundamental nature of our characters, Gordon B. Hinckley stated that; “The course of our lives is not determined by great, awesome decisions…….our direction is set by the little day-to-day choices which chart the track on which we run.

If we apply that maxim to our lives, we could say that we are the result of many small decisions.

In effect, we are the product of our choices. We must develop the capacity to recall the past, to evaluate the present, and to look into the future in order to accomplish in our lives.

Patterns for Life

Likewise I believe that we can succeed in life by following simple patterns.

1. 𝐃𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞. In your work and career choices, its a simple fact that if you do something that you love – then you will never work one day in your life. If you are currently following the wrong pattern – then perhaps you need a new one?

2. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞. Take it one step at a time, for some it may take a lifetime to discover. But most importantly along the way, you need to apply pattern #1 – do something you love! That will help you to find your purpose and meaning in life and your work. Are you currently using the wrong-coloured wool and need a new yarn?

3. 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬. Find out exactly who you can help and serve along the way. Follow the promptings of your heart and apply pattern #1 – give service through doing something you love! This will help you find even more joy in the journey. Perhaps you are using the wrong sized needles and you need some larger ones?

4. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Choose to Act, and not be acted upon.

I know that our daily actions will determine our character. Take ownership of your own personal journey. What’s holding you back, is it perhaps that you have got stuck with a complicated part of your pattern? Why not seek out a personal coach to help you along the way? In turn they can help you to interpret the pattern for your life.

For me, I have witnessed a lifetime of beautiful woollen wonders created by mum and many others who can read the patterns.

In a like manner as we form our patterns for life, our life will be formed by those patterns.

Get yourself organised!!

Why not follow a new pattern, get some new yarn, some different needles for yourself, home and career today by knitting together some life changing habits – you won’t regret it!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞?

Sifting

October 23, 2022

“Would you like a hot chocolate?”

That’s a favourite phrase I use when missionaries arrive at the mission home for an overnight stay.

Each cup of hot chocolate is made with all the usual ingredients, but above all, it is filled with lots of love.

The most delicate part of the process is the 𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 of the chocolate powder, for the final touches, to make it perfect.

To 𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐭: “put a fine or loose substance through a sieve so as to remove lumps or large particles.”

“To make a close examination of all the parts of something in order to find something or to separate what is useful from what is not.”

At zone conferences last week, I commented on how we are all being “𝒔𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒅.”

In Luke 22:31-32, at the Last Supper, calling him by his given name, Jesus said…

31. “…Simon, Simon behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may 𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐭 you as wheat.”

To 𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐭 as wheat means to sperate the good grain from the chaff.

In other words, “You’re going to be run through the 𝒔𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 Peter. Indeed, you’re going to find out what’s in you Peter.”

In essence, you’re going to be shaken up and bounced around and go through a tough ordeal.

Like Peter, that is especially true in the mission field, where we are all 𝒔𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒅 as wheat – daily!

The 𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 is done to refine us, and, in the process, we find out what we are made of, by discovering our many weaknesses.

Before that night was out, Peter had denied Christ three times.

32. “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

As Christ prayed for Peter, likewise many, many others pray on our behalf every single day, “that thy faith fail not.”

For example – mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, church members and leaders, missionary companions, and many others of other faiths too, pray every day for you.

Throughout life, all of us will be 𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 and refined.

You will be shaken, stirred and cleansed to make the perfect you.

Yet, like Peter, I know that by following Jesus Christ, you will not fail.

How are you being 𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝?

Discouraged?

September 25, 2022

𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 – 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?

Yet, sometimes life happens and it can be discouraging.

At times things we hope for and dream about just don’t turn out that way.

– the pay rise didn’t happen

– you didn’t get the expected exam grade

– the relationship you worked hard at didn’t work out

– you didn’t get the job

– the house purchase fell through

– redundancy became a reality

– ill health sets you back

– you just can’t understand that new language

– its just been a really tough day

When things don’t turn out the way you expected, then discouragement can settle into our minds and can make us feel sad.

None of us are immune from discouragement and especially in these difficult times, reality frequently does not conform to our wishes.

Discouragement does not have to mean defeat!

See it as it really is and don’t blow things up out of proportion.

Overcoming discouragement is absolutely critical for all of us if we are to bounce back and move forward in life.

So, what can you do?

First and foremost – you can change your attitude. Rather than focusing on what you can’t do, focus on what you can do.

Secondly, find something that you are good at right away, get on with it and dispel any negative self-talk, feelings or emotions that may be impacting upon you.

Thirdly – don’t compare yourself with others, remember you are on your own unique path in life.

Fourthly – turn to a friend.

Fifthly – count your many blessings, name them one by one.

Finally – pray about it, to understand and find the lesson.

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:9).

To receive comfort and guidance from our Father, we simply need to reach out to Him. I know He is always listening.

It is through the experience of disappointment and discouragement that great treasures and pearls of wisdom in life frequently appear.

What do you do when you feel discouraged?

#HearHim #resilience

Do you care?

September 21, 2022

Do you question your motives?

The crux of my personal philosophy in life, the nucleus of my personal motivation, is centred upon a core belief that “nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care” a phrase attributed to Theodore Roosevelt and crafted so purposely by him.

In thousands of coaching conversations, I have learned a little.

As you….

𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝

𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

Showing interest in others is about being yourself,

being genuine

and sincere in your interest in another person.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞?

Who is your wise guide?

September 18, 2022

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞?

Harry Potter had Dumbledore and Hagrid…

Luke Skywalker had Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda…

Froda Baggins had Gandalf…

Mowgli had Bagheera…

With the development of each fictional character, a wise guide arrives in each of their life’s.

As they place their faith in their wise guide, ultimately, he supports them toward their destiny.

Unlike many fictional movie characters however, real life is another matter altogether.

The Wisest Guide of All

Personally, my faith is not founded upon imaginary characters and their guides, but upon the wisest guide of all, even Jesus Christ.

Wise guides are not only wise, but they are also guides.

Guides direct, instruct, lead, shepherd and show us the way.

In the scriptures, the admonition to “Come, follow me” is repeated several times.

Similar phrases such as, “Walk with me,” “Follow me,” “Come unto me,” are also used regularly.

It is a very simple, direct, and powerful invitation.

The decision to follow Him, is a very personal one, that many of us choose to make.

I love these words from Hymn 116.

“Come, follow me,” the Savior said.

Then let us in his footsteps tread,

For thus alone can we be one

With God’s own loved, begotten Son.

I am so grateful for the two missionaries who introduced the restored Gospel to my parents in 1961, and for the inspired choice they made to follow the wisest guide of all and in his footsteps tread.

In the chorus of “I Am a Child of God” (Hymn 301) we find the words “Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way.”

It is through our daily prayers, that I know He will guide us, lead us, and walk beside us.

Are you searching for a wise guide in your life?

If so, may I respectively suggest that you consider listening to a powerful message that our missionaries have to share about the wisest guide of all.

How can a 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 help you find your way?

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