Uplifting!

It always seems to be that when times get tough or trials come our way we pull away from our Savior and Heavenly Father... When really that is when we need them the most! Zach and I have been having a lot of stress come our way with our jobs and family issues. At night instead of reading our scriptures and praying we were too tired and frustrated because of the stress that we would just go to bed. The more and more we skipped the things that are SO important the more we realized the spirit was not with us nor in our homes. Causing us to treat each other with disrespect. After many nights of being frustrated and arguing we looked at what was really the problem. It wasn't all the things that we were facing but rather how we were handling the situation. We couldn't remember the last time that we had knelt down and prayed or read our scriptures. It was taking a toll on us. We decided right then and there that we couldn't do it alone and we better get to work!

I am so lucky To have a brother on a mission... he is so close and intune with the spirit that he always seems to know just what to say. I vented to him in my last letter and this is what I got in return:

(I love that he doesn't know how to spell my name the little pill!) 

 

Hey sis! 

lucky you, you get the first email today.  I just love hearing from you!  I miss you tons, and i am excited to see you but there is still much to do here before then.  Hang in there.  You bring up an interesting thing, i myself have experienced this on my mission.  You can imagine how tiring a mission can be...haha and sometimes stressful, but it seems in those times when we forget to draw close unto him, we move farther and farther away, slowly so it seems like we are not moving at all but in all reality we are.  at these times the savior brings us down into the depths of humility and shows us how we are nothing without him, and we need him.  ether 12:27 is what we must do.  "and if men come unto me i will show unto them their weakness, i give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for it they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will i make weak things become strong unto them." so like you did you humbled yourself and prayed to Heavenly Father and now he has seen your desire to change, but something still needs to happen sis.  the big word i used "Change"  this is related to the priceless gift that we have all recieved...Agency.  you now have the choice to act for yourself and be OBEDIENT to every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God d&c 98:11-15. I have a qoute to share with you that has blessed my life maddison.  you have made great steps in humbling yourself but now i am trying to help you understand the next step so you can grow and become closer to him.  George Albert Smith said "Praying is one thing and prayers are improtant, but living is the thing that will bring us power with our Heavenly Father.  Living the gospel of Jesus Christ will give us influence with our fellows among the children of men.  Keeping the commandments of God will give us strength and assurance that not anything else can give us."  Maddison when we ACT through OBEDIENCE, then does weak things become strong through the grace of Christ.  don't be discouraged if the pathway seems hard.  it is meant to be.  the closer we get to Christ the harder it gets, for if there was no trial there would be no joy in the good times.  but we can find to be joyful in the hard times just by choosing what are attitude will be.  remember the words of the Savior Maddison he said "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me."  Taking up the cross is not easy sis but it must be done.  so don't be discouraged.  "Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee..: Joshua 1:9 "and if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heaves gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, (my daughter) that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.  The son of man hath descended below them all, art thou greater than he?"  I hope when you pray maddison that you will be humbled everytime.  i hope the words of the savior to his apostles is ringing in your heart and soul, read this, matthew 14:25-31.  comitt yourself that you will not doubt anymore and you will be obedient and not go against God in any from willingly.  you will make mistakes and transgressions through short comings and weaknesses, but promise him you will not go against his will.   we must all make this promise.  God loves you sis.  and he is so proud of you, but he is calling you know to come unto him and partake of the goodness of his gospel.  we must be obedient at all times in order to obtain. this.  I also love you and am so proud of the improvements you are making in your life.  you are refining yourself and become more like the savior in the furnace of affliction.  this i testify in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

all my love,

your brother

Elder Wangsgaard

I LOVE THIS BOY!!!

Our little preacher boy and future bishop! He is AMAZING! the people in the Philippines are so blessed to have him in their presence! 

I want Rayni to know that she can always talk to me or her daddy whenever she needs to! But she also has her Savior and Heavenly Father that  are ALWAYS there for her... even in the hardest of times!