Gift of Tongues

Scott and Niff,

You two are awesome.  I am writing now cause rachel is a computer hog on Sunday's so she can send you updates with her blog posts. The majority of this little letter will be focused toward Niff, but I do have some things at the tail end for scott if I can stay awake that long.  

Jenn,  The gift of tongues.  It is a highly sought after gift.  It is extremely nice to have, especially when living in a country that does not speak your native tongue.  Today we are fasting for you.  Our whole family is.  We want you to feel able to speak and be heard.  To feel some what normal.  To feel as though your investigators are hearing the message you mean to convey.  Part of me hopes and wishes that you will begin to speak Thai as a native tonight.  I know that through faith it is possible.  And if it is the will of God, our Heavenly Father, it will happen.  The other part of me wishes and hopes that you never get it.  That the language never fully comes until after your mission.  That for the rest of your mission you struggle with the Thai language.  I feel bad even typing this out, but I think my reasoning is better, and so I continue.  Jenn, you KNOW the gospel of Jesus Christ.  You know that you have a Father in Heaven that loves you.  You know how to get home.  You know so many wonderful truths and have chosen to share them with the world.  The Lord has asked you to share them with the Thai people.  Learning the Thai language is part of living in Thailand and a necessity.  But there is something far more important that learning the Thai language, and it is a language you already know.  The language of the spirit.  You know how to converse with the Lord through the spirit.  Your job now isn't to learn the Thai language and eloquently tell a story about some american boy.  Your job it to teach people how to speak the language of the spirit.  It is to teach people how to get home.  It is hard for me to even finish.  Jenn,  We know how to get home. The Spirit of the Lord gave us Truth.  Teach people how to use tools to speak with the Lord through the Holy Ghost.  You are doing a fantastic job.  Keep up the great work... and as Jack Blake would say... Lets Rock, Lets Rock, Lets Rock, Lets Rock to day (left hand as stage, right had as kicking dude)


Scotticusprime,

The scriptures are amazing tools.  I have been riding my bike to work (1 hr commute each way)  I have downloaded the scriptures to my phone so I can listen on the commute.  It has changed my commute, and me.  I have learned a great deal in the time I spend listening.  It is amazing the different messages told, just by the rate at which you read the book.  if you read it slow, you get details, like if then statements, or what and it came to pass really means. When you read fast, you see the loving relationships between prophet and people and father and son.  You see the never ending battle between the Nephites and Lamanites, even though there is a deep love for the other, at times.  The scriptures are truly an amazing tool that were made through inspiration.  it is simply amazing the subjects that were included by Mormon and Maroni.  

Today had been a day of ups and downs.  Of recognizing my own imperfections and having the painful experience of witnessing my friends imperfections.  It is through the scriptures that I find comfort, direction and inspiration.  I hate having to admit my great imperfections, but I am so grateful for the redeeming power of the atonement as taught in the Holy Scriptures.  I know that if I work hard to understand the Plan of Salvation.  That if I know God's will for me,  I can live as an example for the Lord to use.  Again, I know only some of my imperfections and am sad because of my blinded eyes, but I sincerely try hard and I know that my effots will bless myself, my family, and others that witness my actions. Love the sriptures.  Live them.  Follow the messages they teach.  live imperfectly with a desire to get better as you go. We all make mistakes.  We just have to learn from our mistakes.  The more we act and the more we study the scriptures, the more we will recognize our imperfections and improve.  

Rock on and study on!

I love you both.  Keep up the good work.

Chad