THE GONZALES GAZETTE: CHAPTER EIGHT

Amid difficulty lies opportunity.

This may very well be the theme of our week. Have you ever considered the affixed opposition to the difficulties we experience? There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven whereby man can receive an equal and opposite reaction for every action-- or maybe that was Newton-- but we must trust he was inspired of God. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Now, this isn't just some recitation we ingrain in our memory before a daunting physics exam.. this is a gospel principle. Let me re-phrase this citation: for every hard day, there is an equal and opposite good day in the future! In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity-- the magnitude of that opportunity is entirely dependent upon our attitude in difficulty. Attitude makes the difference in having good days... and having the BEST days! As President Monson puts it:

“So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. … We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.” 

SO YES, choose to be happy. Satan will hate you and God will favor you. May our best days outweigh those that are most difficult is our fervent prayer, as we enjoy the GONZALES GAZETTE: CHAPTER EIGHT. 

Well y'all, hello. We come to you as TWO this week instead of three, as we bid farewell to our dear brother in Christ, the man formerly known, as Elder Paul. Now known as simply... Jacob. This last week as a trio has been monumental in miracles-- and now that we are a dynamic duo, we embrace and give thanks for the many tender mercies that have ministered to our deliverance and blessing. 

For example, it's not every day that your Stake President whips out a whiteboard to teach the plan of happiness and simultaneously invites an anxious family to enter the covenant waters of baptism in the coming week. You heard me right, yes indeed, this man is what we call... a "legend." I kid you not-- we testified of the sanctifying power of the Atonement and just as we were about to transition into life after death when suddenly President himself stands up and says, "Can I try being a missionary for a moment?" Let's just say this "moment" was a combination of perfectly executed principle and testimony with a gracious conclusion of a baptismal invitation. What an experience! In response, this young family commented on the sweet spirit they felt in this members' home and how relatable the Father's story was to them. They said it was their favorite lesson they had heard thus far because of how, relatable it felt. Isn't that so true though? 

It made me think of our individual roles in the Plan of Happiness prepared for by our Father in Heaven. This plan is relatable... because it relates to each one of us. The Father's plan is unique and yet basic... it is entirely individualistic, and yet very general... it is a plan of opportunity, happiness, and joy. I think before this life, we felt a lot like this young family. Something along the lines of, "Yes, I finally have the opportunity to become like Dad- and my brother will help me do it." We probably heard the counsel, "You inevitably feel unworthy, scared, and fearful...relatable, yes? But shortly following that assumption we learned this eternal truth: "Through my son, you will be worthy, empowered, and faithful." Oh, what joy the relatable plan of redemption can give us! And perfection is pending, as we know, but someday we'll look back upon mortality with compassion, and appreciate the time we have spent here to become who we are. As it has been said, 

Sometime in the eternities to come, we will see that our trials were calculated to cause us to turn to our Heavenly Father for strength and support. Any affliction or suffering we are called upon to bear may be directed to give us experience, refinement, and perfection. -Delbert L. Stapley

Life with Elder Jones is bliss. It's not always easy, it's not always successful, but it is always joyful. I think President Varner must have induced me with joy serum or something because I just cannot stop speaking about JOY. I love Elder Jones and the missionary that he is and the lessons he helps me to learn. He has allowed me to access more of myself and my divine potential in our short time together... and that is a very special thing. I await much more JOY and many more miracles in our time together. 

And you know, those hard times we ALL HAVE? They really do give us an opportunity to exercise the QUALITY of our faith. Sure, it's easy to have a quantity of faith in the easy times, but difficulty reveals the foundation of our belief and trust. The true nature of our faith is found in the inconvenience of belief. Difficulty, or should I say EXPERIENCE, puts the TEST in TESTimony and the ACT in charACTer. High-quality faith is what we call, true faith. And when we act upon true faith it will change our attitudes and behavior, far more than a succession of belief. And I know without a shadow of a doubt that we get faith for trying and trying increases the quality of our faith. 

This weekend we had a unique experience with evil contentious spirits. The family I referenced earlier; they've been in and out of meals at members homes and they're all at different lengths of progression. We went over for an appointment this weekend.  In all honesty, and with complete faith, of course, only two or three members within this family are legitimately interested-- but one of the sisters who wasn't as interested just started spitting fire against the idea of, "church."  She said she could pray and have a better experience at home than in the congregation... Needless to say, the spirit of contention was present. Very present. A dark mist cast over the room enveloping the weak with the shadow of doubt and of fear. She was very antagonistic and simply put...prohibited the spirit of the meeting. That was UNTIL I looked at Elder Jones and in complete agreement, we said, "We're leaving. The spirit is not present." And just as quickly as we said that... she said, "No, I'LL leave, and you can talk to the others..." We ended up having a tear-filled, spirit-lead lesson... and we ultimately realized that whatever was possessing that one Sister, was the exact stumbling block to the spirit in the lesson. Not your usual, "devil casting" story, but pretty humbling nonetheless. The contrast was striking... And we realized that once we said we were leaving, there was sadness in their eyes...because they too recognized the sweet feeling of peace and light that we carried into their home. The spirit of the Lord is real-- and contention dare not reside when the power of the priesthood presides.   

AND THAT LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, IS A MIRACLE. 

And I can testify that we have seen many more miracles this week-- which is honestly such a compliment from heaven. The Lord is so merciful, and I know I say that a lot, but truly we don't deserve these spiritual manifestations. They are, however, sure indications that the Lord is aware, mindful, and generous when it comes to his children. I feel worthy and capable when I witness the hand of the Lord in my life. I hope you all, throughout this week, take time to check your attitude in the midst of your greatest difficulties. It does make a difference, I promise you that. And always retain in remembrance that God has a plan for you-- a happy plan, a redeeming plan, a perfecting plan. He loves you! He knows you! Keep trying, keep believing, and all things will work together for your good. I testify of God's love; his everlasting compassion towards us, his children. He doesn't look at us with disgust... but compassion. So it should be with us, and others, and bad days. Look at your bad days with compassion and I promise you will understand the plan of salvation! HAVE A GREAT WEEK Y'ALL! ELDER BOYD LOVES YOU! 

Compassionately and relatable,

Elder Boyd 

This Week's FB post:

There's always time for rejoicing when singing Sunday's and eternal friendships are combined...

WE'RE BACK and our joy couldn't be more full. 

NOW, let us rejoice! Not yesterday, not tomorrow, TODAY is a day to rejoice-- for shortly the hour of redemption will come! 

Rejoicing has nothing to do with the circumstances of our lives, but everything to do with the focus of our lives! When our focus is riveted on the Savior and eternal life, we feel JOY! We simply cannot trailblaze along the covenant path-- straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to eternal life... and few there be that find it. However, if we are fixated on the Savior, we will be numbered among the few and chosen who inherit a long-promised fullness of JOY. 

JOY in the little things...

Singing Sundays...
Serving in the promised land...
Being on the Lord's errand...
Reuniting with old friends.. 

This Week's Pics: