Palm Springs



Service missions are the best. Doing Gods work complimented with home cooked meals, clean laundry, clean dishes, and last but not least, family vacation. All in one. 


This week Paul, Soice, and I had the opportunity to drive to Palm Springs to watch professional tennis for the 3rd year in a row. It was a blast. So warm and beautiful. Here’s what the trip looked like: We drove to Saint George to sleep and cut the drive in half. The next day, stopped in Vegas for lunch and drove to California. We grabbed dinner and got to bed. The next morning, we ate hotel breakfast and headed to the courts. We are usually there from about 10 am to 9 pm just jumping stadium to stadium to watch the matches we want. Then we usually head out to get dinner and go to bed. Then we wake up and do it all again. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, we just checked out and drove straight home. It’s my favorite tradition. Tennis is such a fun sport to watch in person. They are incredible athletes. The parking and seats we get are always good for obvious reasons. The handicap seating is only 3 or 4 rows from the court.



Sometimes it’s hard to keep me cool because I don’t sweat. Being in the sun all day causes me to overheat, get a headache, and feel sick. on Saturday, it was supposed to be pretty hot. I prayed and told my family to pray that I would be able to stay cool. God blessed us that day with a thin cloud cover and a light breeze. I was able to stay cool and enjoy the trip. A little tender mercy. God answers prayers.


I love the gospel. I love talking to my English learners about their conversions and hearing their testimonies. One girl shared something with me that really touched me. She said she grew up going to different churches but was never fully invested. Her brother started going to our church and she wanted to know what we taught. She had not been raised by her parents and never felt love from a mother or father. She then learned that our church has priesthood authority from God. That made our church stand out to her because none of the other churches she had been to claimed to have authority from God. When the missionaries told her that she has a Mother and a Father in heaven who know her personally and love her perfectly, everything clicked for her. She joined the church and served a mission and hasn’t looked back since. She is the only active member of her family. Jesus Christ has given her hope and changed her life. 


I know that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing that can bring true happiness. It is the only way to return to our Father in heaven. Remember your covenants. Remember the importance of the sacrament. Don’t take the infinite atonement for granted. Don’t lose focus. Stick with what you know to be true. Use that knowledge to bless others. EVERYBODY needs Jesus in their lives. Don’t be the reason others lose their way. Be the reason they find Him.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The dive

Image
We have been planning a fun family vacation for months. A  time to all be together. Marrieds are out of school, Phoebe is home from her mission, college kids are getting ready to go do sales for the summer, Hyrum leaves soon on his mission and Porter and Sawyer are happy for a break from school. Off to St. George we went. Bikes, gear for hiking Subway, golf clubs, tennis rackets, frisbee golf discs and swimsuits all packed. Woke up on our first morning, Monday, April 26th and it was raining. What a bummer. But who cares, we can still hot tub. Everyone got in the hot tub but me (mom). Mostly because there really wasn’t any room. And maybe also because I don’t love hot tubs. I’m pretty sure by the time they got out, the hot tub was only half full from all the water that went over the edge. Oops! Sorry!   Then they all decided to head over to the pool and yes, it’s still raining. And we had to walk across razor sharp rocks to get there because we’re lazy and don’t want to walk al...
Read more

Elder Brinton

Image
Sorry everyone! It has been forever since we posted on here. My mom always wanted me to write these blog posts. So I guess she is finally getting what she wanted. I love being a missionary. I was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. At my setting apart, the stake president asked me to call on someone to say a prayer to invite the spirit. I asked my sister Emma to say it because I knew she would do a good job of inviting the spirit. As she was praying, she started to cry. I started to cry, and I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone else in the room did the same. The spirit was so strong. The priesthood blessing I received was extremely powerful. I was promised so many amazing blessings. I was told that nothing was broken or altered in my accident. Father’s plan for me did not change. I was told that I lack for NOTHING. I will have as much of an impact as any other missionary. I was promised that I would have the oppo...
Read more

Poet?

Image
I am no poet but here is a little poem I wrote today. Imagine years of walking a winding road, To a place you once knew, yet memories corrode. Stories told of its wondrous state, A heaven you seek, but the journey is great. The path is long, the way is steep, With trials and burdens that make you weep. So many times you've wanted to quit, The weight on your shoulders, a heavy kit. You stumble upon a mountain high, Daunting and massive, you feel you can't try. Overwhelmed, you fall to the ground, Hopeless and lost, no way around. In desperation, you beg for aid, In your lowest moment, feeling afraid. Through your sobs, gentle words you hear, A warm voice whispers, "My child, I’m here" Two strong arms lift you high, You see His scars and start to cry.  Suddenly memories start to flow, Of that special place you used to know. Heaven is no longer so far away,  For you are found, and you want to stay. His sweet smile envelops your soul, Peace and love have made you whole. N...
Read more