The Refiner of Silver

How is everyone doing? Sorry I wasn't able to write until today because the library was closed yesterday for Labor Day, and last week was Transfer week so P-Day was switched to Wednesday. Next week it will be back to normal. :)

This past week we got our new missionary in our District, Elder Peiva from Brazil. Our new District is pretty large--there are 6 missionaries in the other ward we work with and they are all awesome. 

Our newly formed District all in the party bus

Sister Gledhill and I were able to meet with Brother Jack and a few others. We are still teaching one of our sweet investigators who has a baptism date set for September 21st. She is in Young Women's and has a very strong spirit and testimony; it's been a privilege teaching her. I love seeing how each individual progresses and comes closer to the Lord, as well as how much power and influence the gospel plays in each life.

Also, the Lord has a sense of humor. If you ask to see and experience funny things you just may...

Life for instance...a couple of days ago Sister Gledhill and I were planning and making more phone calls in the car to meet with people while we were in Waltham. All of the sudden, we had a (yes, another Disney reference) "Simba & the Wildebeests" moment--about 15 shirtless young men came running towards our car--yes, they only wore skimpy shortish shorts--and then the herd came so close before they broke off in different directions on both sides of our car. We didn't know what to do but got a kick out of it--it felt pretty awkward and out of the ordinary so we couldn't help but laugh. :)

In all honesty I've been uneasy about my health's state lately. Yes, my voice is pretty much gone from Tobi, but I also ran out of Hypertonic Saline, and even Dr. Cernadas is frustrated because my insurance is very stubborn about approving to cover it. My lungs have been okay at times but I don't remember them being this filled for a while and I've been coughing a lot more. It's been requiring a lot more energy and it's been more of a challenge at times to just breathe. I have high hopes for Hypertonic Saline as soon as I get it and I'm just going to take it from that point. I've been praying hard for the Lord's help through this and I'm having to submit to his will for whichever option is best to keep me as healthy as possible.

All of this reminds me of a story that Elder Rushforth from our District shared to us a few weeks ago, so I got a copy of it. It talks about how our Heavenly Father was described in Malachi as a "Purifier of Silver."

Long story short, a woman read the verse that gave the description "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." She wanted to know more about what this meant and thought it was meant to show how Christ sanctifies us. She visited a Silversmith to find out more about the subject.

She went to the silversmith without telling her objective, and begged to know how silver was refined, which he described to her. She then said, "But Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"

"Oh, yes madam, I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady saw the beauty in the scripture, as the Lord considers it necessary to put his children in a furnace of trials. His eye is focused on the work of purifying, with his wisdom and love there during the best manner for them.

As the lady left the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he also wanted to mention that the only way he knows when the purifying is complete is when he sees his own image reflected in the silver.

The story shows how our Heavenly Father places us in circumstances and trials that will make us become more like him. I know I always have a lot of work to do, but it's comforting to know how He never leaves as he watches intently, as any exceeded bit of the refining process can be harmful. And more than that, He knows we are purified when he sees Himself through us.

Hope you have a great week! Keep working hard and look for some ways to have fun. :)

With love,

Sister Roy

 

 

 

 

Holding the hottest peppers in the world!!

One of the awesome families in our ward