Bishopric Message – June 2020

I have so many things to be grateful for during this time of social distancing.  The time to spend with family and build a stronger relationship with our Father in Heaven.  I love the area we live in and express gratitude for God’s beautiful creations.  I have had some interviews with some hospitals out of state as part of my job search.  During the interviews they ask, “Why do you want to move here?”  I always stumble on these questions because I need to be honest; I don’t want to move there and it always shows.  The recruiters will call me latter and say they don’t want to go further down the interview process because they didn’t feel like I was excited to move there and they are right, I don’t.  I have faith that the Lord will open the door of employment for us as I continue to develop a new company.

Gratitude is of the very essence of Worship. …When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance, conceit, and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.  Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

I’m thankful for family, growing kids, encouraging siblings, and loving wife as they are very supportive through our challenges.  It amazes me how far money can go when you don’t have much to spend.

I’m thankful for your prayers, they are felt and it is remarkable the difference they make in my life.

I’m grateful for the “Come Follow Me” program because through its structure, I have learned new studying skills, understand more about the timeline of the Book of Mormon, and am developing some very improved study habits with my wife.  We look forward to sitting down together to study the next lesson and discuss our individual incites.

Moments That Matter Most

We are all on the same journey.  As we open ourselves to others, allow them to see our human flaws, and ask them for help when we feel overwhelmed or over our head, we are displaying humility to our Savior.  This humility allows the spirit to enter into our hearts as we recognize that we need our Saviors help.  The Atonement of Christ relieves us from more than sin.  The Atonement of Christ allows us to place our burdens on him and when we do, we find and experience joy in our lives regardless of the challenges that we face in the moment. 

“Happiness / Joy is not a destination or an event, it comes from your attitude about the journey.”

Dr. Laura

This past month has been hard, between keeping our kids motivated and helping them work to push to the end of the school year, planning to have my knee replaced this month, passing a kidney stone, developing a virus (not covid-19), and pulling a crown off my tooth while eating a cinnamon bear.  I’m placing these burdens on my Savior.  I’m finding joy in the experiences of life and keep my eyes looking forward as I exercise faith in him.

Challenge:  Take some downtime to ponder and open up to your Savior.  Remember when you have felt his spirit, write your experiences down, and share them with those that you love.  Be open and honest about your current story and reach out in times of need to those that you trust.

Did you think to pray?

The Savior said to some that were healed, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.”  The one returning leper’s expression of gratitude was recognized by the Savior as an expression of his faith.  We would love to hear your experiences or impression you have received when you take the time to feel the spirit and communicate with your Father in Heaven. 

Our Prayers are with you, we miss seeing you, and we Love you.

Love you all,

Bishop Anderson

“Stay Humble, Work Hard, & Be Kind”

Ward Blog: www.highland28th.org