So, New Years. I know, right? Crazy stuff.
It was a chill week. Just kidding, it was basically the exact opposite of chill. I worked harder this week than I had in many weeks and I couldn't be happier. I testify from personal experience that the joy and satisfaction of righteousness living is in large part proportional to our diligence. Steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort regardless of circumstance keep our focus riveted on what is most important, an imperative perspective to have with the dawn of a new year. A new year comes with just as much distraction and trial as it does prospect and potential. No matter what the new year holds we can choose now to stay the course of moral integrity and its corresponding habits.
The hard work paid off. A very fruitful week in which I had the opportunity to meet many, many people, a few of whom accepted the commitment to make covenants with Jesus Christ after just meeting for the first time. Truly, the gospel of Jesus Christ is for every "nation, kindred, tongue and people" (D&C 42:58).
We ran two exchanges this week. I got to spend time with some pretty cool missionaries. Avid readers will remember Elder Burke, my Zone Leader in Menlo Park, who coerced me into eating a full Little Caesars Pizza in one day. Well, you will be happy to hear that our paths crossed again and yes more extortion occurred. The results? I drank a whole gallon of milk in one day. Don't think it's a lot? Try it sometime, I promise you're mistaken. Fortunately, I kept it down, but Elder Burke learned that what is reaped is also sown. He expelled ¾ of a gallon of milk, a subway footlong, a cheeseburger, and fries in front of some poor hotel manager's establishment. But let it be known that I was triumphant and completed that which was given me to do.
We had a lot of rain. Like, a lot of rain. The earth was washed clean to ring in the new year. Just as precipitation brings a newness of life to the ecology it falls upon, Jesus Christ renews, well, us as we come unto him.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). We need not worry about things past when we make the choice to follow Christ. For, if we do so with all our hearts, we will allow the sanctifying power of God to, "distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven" (D&C 121:45).
For this new year, and every year to follow, I echo the comprehensive resolution of Paul,
"...this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philip. 3:13-14).
️Songs️In Heaven–Vulf
Business Casual–Vulf
Hangin' Round–Briston Maroney
See you this year…
Elder Winegar
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