Tag Archive for: Purpose

Haste Ye Back

Over the past few days, our home has been full with visitors.
Last Wednesday and Thursday, we had the absolute joy of hosting seven of our returned missionaries from the Belgium Netherlands Mission.
Adam, Alex, Logan, Landon, Luk, Sam and Trent, came to visit not just as guests but as part of our mission family.
On Wednesday, we walked the paths of Dunfermline, fed squirrels in the park, met the peacocks (thank you Tina and Alex), and learned a lot about Andrew Carnegie.
But the real joy wasn’t just in what we saw, it was more about just being together again.
On Thursday, we explored Edinburgh.
We climbed Arthur’s Seat, walked the Royal Mile, visited St. Giles Cathedral, and learned about the Order of the Thistle.
We laughed over lunch, soaked in the sights from the Castle, wandered through the Grassmarket, and ended the day the way any proper visit should: with fish and chips and a deep-fried Mars bar!
But here’s the thing that’s been on my mind most since they left: missionary service might have an official end date, but the bonds created will never end.
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20

Service

As we walked side by side through cobbled streets, it hit me, that our friendships were built on faith, service, and sacrifice.
They were forged in the quiet moments of testimony, in praying together, in days sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving others.
They left for home on Friday, to their studies, summer jobs and families, yet I want to witness that the spirit they carried as missionaries still shines through.
Their name tags may be gone, but who they became as missionaries hasn’t faded.

Connections

Having them here reminded me that the impact of missionary work isn’t just about the service they rendered in Belgium and the Netherlands, it’s about the deep, lasting connections formed along the way.
As we laughed and reminisced, not as missionaries with schedules, but simply as members of our extended family, we rediscovered a deeper, powerful connection.
One rooted in shared purpose, made richer by our unhurried time, of just being together.
Their footsteps echo with us now, not just in the places we visited, but in our hearts.
And for that, Monic and I are so grateful.
Who in your life has left spiritual footprints you still feel today?

More than Miles

These last few months I’ve done a lot of walking.
I walk everywhere.
This week, I also discovered that May is National Walking Month 🥾🥾
For many, it’s a chance to stretch their legs and get outside.
But for me, my daily walks are helping me train for my adventure starting 28th May, along the West Highland Way with 15 dear friends in support of Mary’s Meals.
Years of scripture study have taught me lots about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Many things stand out in His teachings, but I’d like to focus on just one thing today.
He walked everywhere.
As I walk, I’ve been thinking about how much of the Gospel is rooted in the act of walking.
He was often seen walking by the Sea of Galilee, on the road to Emmaus, through crowds of people, with sinners, publicans, to Nazareth, Capernaum and Jerusalem, but mostly He walked with His disciples, and He even walked on water.
The disciples walked everywhere too.
Often not knowing exactly where they were going, but they trusted deeply and followed Him.
That’s what faith often feels like.
Some days I’ll put my boots on, uncertain what path I’ll take, but I hope and believe it always leads somewhere worth going.
We don’t need to walk by the shores of Galilee or among the Judean hills to walk where Jesus walked.
As Thomas S. Monson said, “Walking where Jesus walked 𝒊𝒔 less important than walking 𝒂𝒔 Jesus walked”.
It’s not about the path under your feet, rather it’s all about what’s in your heart, by choosing to follow Him in your own journey through life.
The scriptures teach us not just about what to do, but how to walk; “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
That’s the kind of walk I want to train for.
Not just the miles ahead, but a life filled with service that moves toward justice, mercy, and humility.
I so look forward to walking together with my friends in a few weeks’ time.
Walking is simple.
But walking with purpose, that’s really where the Gospel meets the ground.
Where is your walk leading you, and who are you walking it for?

Meant to Be

Back in mid-December 2024, I met Ella Henricksen for the first time at BYU, in Provo, Utah.
She was a little excited about a possible internship in Scotland.
What I didn’t know then was just how much of a blessing she’d become for me personally.
Ella was set to become the first intern I was responsible for placing in Scotland.
It was a tall order with an extremely tight deadline, to find her a placement by mid-January, with the Christmas holidays in between.
The clock was ticking.
I’d found a willing museum in Edinburgh, but we soon faced challenges with HR and logistics when she arrived in Scotland, that left us scrambling for a plan B.
In those moments of uncertainty, what unfolded felt less like chance and more like divine help.

Plan B

I was hesitant at first to ask Ella to help with something so personal (Plan B) – the final editing of my own book, on top of her podcast work and a few tasks for the FoRB Foundation.
But the more I considered it, the more I realised she was exactly the person I needed.
Ella brought great editorial insight, discipline, and a sense of calm competence.
We met for lunch, mapped out what was left to do, and she got to work.
From there, something special grew, not just a productive collaboration, but a genuine friendship rooted in mutual respect and shared purpose.
We enjoyed many wide-ranging healthy conversations, which became a highlight of our time together.
Ella has made a real difference.
I know she’ll miss Scotland, and truth be told, I’ll miss her too!
As she heads back to the U.S. today, I’m grateful for the way everything came together, even those early setbacks seemed to have purpose.
Some might call it coincidence, but I’d say it was more of a God-incidence.
Thank you, Ella, for all you’ve given. 😊
What unexpected help have you been grateful for?

Lighter Hearts, Clearer Minds.

Real change doesn’t usually come all at once.
It comes like water, sometimes in a 𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒍𝒆..
A passing moment.
A small insight.
A gentle nudge of encouragement or an unexpected kindness.
Other times through full 𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏.
Those deeper moments that may require repeated attempts but yet call us to change at a more profound level.
A courageous conversation.
A personal crisis.
A significant realisation.
Both matter.
A sprinkle might be a kind word, a thoughtful question, a moment of silence that invites reflection.
These are small, sacred touches, gentle reminders that growth is possible.
Immersion goes deeper.
It’s the honest heart to heart discussion, the shift in thinking, the willingness to step fully into discomfort and come out changed.
It’s not always easy, but it transforms.
In my coaching work and life, I’ve come to see my purpose this way:
To sprinkle hope.
To immerse in presence.
𝑻𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒓, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑰 𝒈𝒐.
Whether coaching, mentoring, counselling, teaching, listening, or simply being there for someone, I offer what I can: a drop of trust, a wave of clarity, or even a simple whisper of encouragement.
A small adjustment in the way we think about something can bring great change in our thoughts and behaviours.
Change comes drop by drop and other times, it’s a plunge into something much deeper.
But it comes.
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” – Alma 37:6
What are the sprinkles you offer to others?

The Depth of Feeling

Life is full of transitions.
Some are joyous, others heart-wrenching.
Returning home from Belgium and the Netherlands nearly 9 months ago now, frequently, I’ve reflected on the deep emotions that often accompany such changes.
Many missionaries experience this upon returning home, facing an unexpected void where purpose once thrived.
Having coached and counselled literally hundreds of these missionaries, and many others professionally too, through difficult challenges and change, I have seen firsthand the power of deep, genuine emotion.
The depth of those feelings intensifies further in moments of crisis, an injury to a loved one, the loss of someone dear, or personal struggles that weigh deeply upon our soul.
I have seen that these emotions are often raw and very real, born from love and deep within our hearts.
They remind us of our humanity, our connection to others, and our need for belonging.
In these moments, listening with empathy and understanding truly helps.
As a coach, I find that empathy creates a safe space for growth, allowing others to feel truly heard, understood, and supported as they navigate change and discover their own path forward.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl
It has been my experience, that we may not always be able to control our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond.
In my own struggles with transition, I’ve found that reaching out to serve others brings clarity, grounding, and renewed purpose.
For me, love in action helps transform difficulties and sorrows into purpose and meaning.
In times of deep emotion, how do you find your way forward?

Retreat and Recover

In my studies through the years, I find it fascinating that the leaders of three of the world’s great religions have one thing in common…
They understood the importance of stepping back from the world for personal reflection and renewal.
In ancient times, spiritual leaders sought refuge in nature or isolated spaces, understanding that it was in these quiet moments that clarity of purpose and direction emerged.
For example, the Buddha meditating under the Bodhi tree in northern India (the place of enlightenment) would form the foundation of Buddhism.
In the Quran, there are numerous accounts of the Prophet Muhammad receiving revelations and instruction from the Angel Gabriel in the cave of Hira, which shaped the world of Islam.
Jesus Christ often retreated from his followers into the wilderness to meditate and pray, helping him connect with deity in order to establish Christianity.
Each of them reminds us of the importance of stepping back from the world to take some time to reflect and recover.
Modern leaders can take inspiration from these examples by carving out time for reflection, not only to recharge physically but also to reassess their leadership and the broader impact of their decisions.
Whether in politics, business, or social organisations, leaders face constant pressures to perform, make decisions, and address challenges swiftly and effectively.

Torryburn

My experience on Saturday was a simple mini example of this, taking some uninterrupted time to be alone or in this case sharing it with someone special.
Monic and I took a 2 hour long walk along the seashore, borrowing my sister’s dog Fern.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time of rejuvenation, foraging for brambles along the way and taking time to pause, reflect, talk and recover.
In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world of today, the notion of retreating for renewal has in recent years, gained a renewed relevance, especially for leaders.
A retreat, whether it’s time spent in nature or engaging in deep meditation, offers a space to disconnect from noise and reconnect with oneself, which in turn fosters sharper judgment and greater creativity.
Regularly tending to the emotional, physical, spiritual and mental aspects of our lives keeps us in a well-resourced state.
I know that most of my innovative ideas come not from being in the middle of the action but from stepping back, in moments of solitude and reflection.
Just as spiritual figures like Buddha, Muhammad, and Christ found profound insights in times of isolation, you and I along with today’s leaders can benefit greatly from stepping away from daily responsibilities to recharge, reflect, and renew our sense of purpose.
Everyone needs to unplug, refocus, retreat and reboot sometimes.
Go on – make that time to retreat today….
You know you need to.

Empowerment

Yesterday, we met in our six-weekly Mission Leadership Council (MLC).
It’s a time when members of the Mission Presidency, the Assistants, Zone Leaders, Sister Trainer Leaders, Social Media Leaders and Service Leaders come together to counsel with one another.
The result, a very busy mission home!
After we welcomed a few new members of the MLC, we dived straight into the business of the day and began by asking a few questions for consideration.

To council

From the outset we encouraged free expression.
We counselled together as a group about many aspects of our work.
Then we counselled together in pairs.
We listened.
We listened a lot.
Sometimes, we were silent too, so we could listen.
We reflected upon many of our successes and removed assumptions that were limiting our thinking, so we could do better.
We then counselled on some of the challenges and obstacles that are in our way as a mission.
We ate together, laughed together, and received further instruction together.
And we considered the four P’s of Leadership – Purpose, Proactivity, Passion and Persistence.
Missions are very dynamic, as missionaries come and go every six weeks.
I have learned that patience is needed as we practice this council system over and over again!

What is empowerment?

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: authority or power given to someone to do something.
All of our activities and counselling yesterday were about empowering each member of the MLC to step up and lead by example.
There was encouragement to:
• Learn and embrace change.
• Push through obstacles and barriers.
• How they can be more productive.
• Step up and go above and beyond.
• Govern themselves, through autonomous decision making.
• Be closer to and more aligned with their purpose.
Being with these leaders yesterday reminded me that they are amongst some of the greatest young people on the earth today.
It is an honour and a joy to work with them every day.
How can you empower others to lead?

Councils

I was excited to receive the picture attached from my dear friend, Eelco Scheltinga, who serves as President of the Den Haag Stake (diocese).

He and I meet regularly to discuss all aspects of missionary work in his stewardship.

In addition, he also meets regularly (like the other Stake Presidents – Angelo Leman, Percy de Wilde and Jerry Bletterman) with his Zone Leaders (ZL’s) and Sister Trainer Leaders (STL’s), who are assigned to work with many missionaries in other wards & branches.

These 5 missionaries are an essential part of the leadership team in his Stake.

I love the fact that he is sitting with them at home, around his dinner table, welcoming them with warmth, love and understanding.

In addition, it’s clear from their smiles, they enjoy meeting with one another!

“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20)

Missionary Council

Meeting together as a missionary council, with purpose, in a spirit of warm-hearted cooperation, they listen to one another, discuss concerns, make plans, set goals and search for solutions to the problems of the day.

Working through councils is a very effective way to get positive results.

Having sat in many councils, I know that when free, open and candid conversation is filled with love, patience, kindness and respect for the differing opinions and points of view that are usually on hand, the council is always a success.

Sparks of inspiration come, and decisions are made to plan and coordinate missionary work.

Scriptures

In the Old Testament, the Prophet Isaiah said; “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18).

And in our day, we read in Doctrine & Covenants 50:10; “Let us reason together, that ye may understand.”

I know that it is by reasoning together, that we strengthen one another.

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”  (Proverbs 11:14)

It is clear the council system across our mission is alive and well, it is fully functioning and filled with vibrancy and enthusiasm, thus ensuring safety for each and every one of us.

M. Russell Ballard said those who learn to counsel effectively will “always end up with a better result, always end up with a better answer and, will always end up with a better spirit.”

How can counselling together bless you and your family?

Shared Purpose

Purpose is good.
The pursuit of purpose is better.
𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 is best.
Meaning, everyone is aligned to the same mission.
They are a part of something.
They belong.
They have a collective responsibility.
They influence.
They radiate positive energy.
They engage.
They boldly go and do.
There is drive.
There is alignment.
And a collective sense of belonging.
It’s a connective force that pulls a mission together.
It touches us and moves us into action.
It creates a sense of excitement.
It’s compelling.
It drives collaboration.
It’s about living it – together!
It is the glue that strengthens our mission.
It is the common thread woven amongst each of them.
Our 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 is grand, prodigious, and vast!
It’s life changing…
“Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end”.
This is the 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 of every missionary serving around the world for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We live by it.
We invite all to understand the purpose of life.
Come join with us.

People May Wonder

– What is the purpose of life?
– Where did I come from?
– Is there a God who cares about me?
– How can I feel that He cares?
– How can I believe in God when so many bad things happen?
– Why is life so hard sometimes?
– How can I find strength during these times?
– How can I become a better person?
– What happens after I die?
𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅?
All of these questions and more are answered in the second lesson taught by our missionaries in “Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation”
Why not speak to one of the many missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, today.
Answers are only a conversation away.