Hello Family and Friends!
Sending love to you
all! This letter will be quick and pretty short because I used a lot of
time sending pictures. Hope you enjoy them! The picture of me with all the homemade caramels was the sweetest service I have done so far! My companion and I helped a sister in our ward who is starting her own caramel business. Yum! I also wanted to say I enjoy all the pictures
you each send me. They keep me connected with everyone and mean so
much! I can't say enough about missionaries loving mail:)
Trust in the Lord With Ups and Downs and Ups again
This week was a bit tough for Sister Reneer and I. Well, may be a little more than a bit. We had a lesson with (J) on Tuesday night at our wonderful ward mission leader's home and it went well. We watched the Restoration video which went very well and it was a really good visual for (J). It helped answer some more of his questions about our modern day Prophets. The next day we had a lesson with him again at our church building with an awesome brother from our ward.
We went over the law of tithing which was a difficult subject for
(J). His hours have been cut at work and so that adds a strain to his finances. We explained the blessings that come from tithing
and what the ten percent means, and we each bore our testimonies about how we have seen these blessings from paying tithing in our lives.
(J) told us he needs time to think about it and wants to push back
his baptismal date. It will not be this Friday November 22nd.
We are still continuing to help him and answer any
of his great questions that he has for us. He came to church again yesterday (which was a great thing!) and was able to
stay longer than just sacrament meeting, because his boss changed his
schedule which was great! And an added bonus was it was the Primary Program and there was such a wonderful feeling of the Spirit when they sang their beautiful songs and bore their testimonies. (J) seemed to
really enjoy it which is always good. My missionary companion and I have been fasting and praying for him and we know
that everything will work out for the best if we leave it to the Lord. The Lord has His time table for everything.
The Windows of Heaven
This week I have been studying the law of tithing a lot and searching deeper to be able to answer (J)'s questions. This has helped my testimony of tithing grow even more. While doing so I read Elder Bednar's talk "The Windows of Heaven." I love how he explains that obeying the law of tithing can bless us in so many different ways. It may not be what we expect, but it is what we need. As Elder Bednar says, "The imagery of the 'windows' of heaven used by Malachi is most instructive. Windows allow natural light to enter into a building. In like manner, spiritual illumination and perspective are poured out through the windows of Heaven and into our lives as we honor tithing". I think that is said so beautifully, 'spiritual illuminations and perspectives are poured out.' I know this is true. I have seen in my own life how paying tithing has blessed me, as well as my family being blessed for paying tithing. The 'windows of Heaven' are truly opened when we obey the Lord and help to build His kingdom here on earth.
Have a wonderful week everyone! Blessings are everywhere, keep an eye out for them :)
Lots of love, prayers and thoughts to you all,
Sister Skinner - Karatassos
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