October 3, 2016
Albertville, Alabama
Family! So I don't have very much time this week and I feel like I say that every week but I really don't have a lot of time so I'm going to get right to it.
First, Wow! What an amazing General Conference we had this week! Pretty incredible! I loved each and every talk so much! There was one person that talked about our heritage as members. He only touched on it for a few minutes but that was super powerful and I loved it!
Second, Elder Nelson's talk about Joy. I was amazed. I didn't know what to think. I feel like we can all benefit from that because being happy and excited is more of a decision and we don't always try to be happy. So I really liked that because I'll be honest, sometimes you just don't want to smile at people out here. So that was super nice to hear so I can work on that. I don't have my notes with me so it's really hard to remember all that has happened. I feel like Dori. I have short term memory loss. It's bad... But also, I remember gratitude being talked about a lot. So I really enjoyed it all! General Conference has become more like Christmas every time I watch it. I love it so much! So it was an amazing weekend!
Third, Last night Elder Messick and I were out tracting and we ran into a Haitain man. There was a little bit of a language barrier but that wasn't about to stop me, so I just kept talking to him and he slowly got a little more invested in the conversation. As we continued to talk I felt a prompting that I should share the story that all of you have heard. It’s the story of Dad pulling me back into the boat in Lava Falls on the Colorado River a few years back. I continued to share this story with him and the spirit was so strong. You could tell that he was feeling something different and it was amazing. I told him that he was a child of God and that if we reach to the Savior he will be there for us. He had a few tears running down his face and it was an amazing lesson.
Fourth, I have had a lot on my mind this week and I really didn't know where to turn, so as I was sitting in the chapel in Albertville, I felt I needed to turn to the Savior. I said a prayer to Our Father in Heaven that I would be able to know how to help others and focus more on the work than myself and my thoughts and feelings. I immediately felt this overwhelming peace that He was there and that He knows our concerns and is walking beside us each step of the way. I know that if we pray to Our Father in Heaven that he will answer our prayers and that he hears us. He loves each and everyone of his children here on earth.
This week has been a good one! I missed you all with Conference because that has always been a special time for our family but I could feel your love as we all sat and listened to the words of the prophet and apostles. Thank you all for your love and support! I love you all so much!
Strength and Honor
-Elder Noah Featherstone
Hello Dear Elder Featherstone,
ReplyDeleteI am having problems trying to write you on "my ldsmail" for some reason. I tried .net and .com but don't seem to get a blank place to write. At any rate I want you to know that we think of you so often and pray for you every night. We love reading your blog posts and see that you are doing well.
We want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving - what a memorable one it will be. Serve, enjoy and take photos to post!
We will be joining the Pothiers at Dave and Shawni's home this year. First they (along with Paul and Kara and another couple) sponsor a "Turkey Trot" race to raise money for Lucy Pothier (and other children with her syndrome.) The race has become very popular so is well attended and fun. After the race some will gather for the annual flag football game and then at 2:00 dinner ( which some of us will be home preparing.) Paul and Kara's family will leave for Mexico right after the race and Dave and Natalie's family left for Utah today to join with the Richards side so won't be attending our gathering here in Gilbert. Wherever we are we all have so much to be grateful for.
Paul and Kara's family are experiencing vicarious difficulty right now in that Paul's niece, who is a dear close cousin of Ella's was involved in a terrible car crash where two of her friends were killed. They of course feel so very sad for their niece and for all the families who are so devastated by this event. Yet, all have courage and strength and faith to know that they can be comforted and have promises of life and happiness ahead because of the atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. What would we do without the gospel, the plan of salvation and the blessing of church membership with the power of the priesthood? Yes, we have so much to be grateful for and we should appreciate and make the most of each and every day and love and serve each and every person. You are doing the most important work that there is to do at this point in time of your life. We are thankful for missionary work, and particularly thankful for you.
We are looking forward to Christmas next and then to our grandson Zach's wedding! (Shauna's son) He and his little sweetheart will be married on Dec. 29th in the Salt Lake Temple.
This is our first grandchild to be married and we are so excited for them. I'm trying to get ahead of schedule a little bit so I've already purchased the little gifts I have for family and sent them up to Salt Lake. Today I'm making more caramels and next comes the cookie making. The Beehive girls in our ward want to come and put up our Christmas tree and decorations so we will let them do that, then I'll be relaxed to enjoy the beautiful Christmas programs and parties at church etc. and focus on the true meaning of christmas with family.
Are you able to use your musical talents very often there in the mission? I'm still hoping that you will be able to meet and/or work with Elder Wilson too. I know he is often called on to sing. His parents just returned from their mission in Canada and gave a nice fireside report last Sunday.
Well, enough for now. Just know how much we love you, are proud of you and how thankful we are for you. You are and have always been such a dear, loving nephew and we are so happy to claim you and your wonderful family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
XOXOXO
Aunt Helen and Uncle Stuart