Hey Everyone!

I'm learning so much -- because I'm choosing (its a choice) to and not to waste time (or trying not to waste time). The Key to success is *drum roll* to always be learning. I really think that that is what sets the ordinary apart from the extraordinary (Elder Ferris' thought of the week haha).

I had a really simple, but profound (at least to me) thing happen at testimony meeting last Sunday. Before Sacrament Meeting started, I went around and talked with the members, seeking to get to know them. I met the Monize Family -- the dad, mom, and Sarah, their 17 year old daughter. I talked with them of how they had found the church some 5 years earlier and they told me of how the daughter's friend actually invited them to church and how things went from there. I asked the family to bear their testimony on member work. All of them were kind of hesitant, but said that they would "see what happens."

When Sacrament Meeting started, no one in the congregation that I had previously asked (10 ish members) got up throughout the meeting to bear their testimony, except for Sarah.

When she first stood she said, "I was talking with Elder Ferris before the meeting about the story of our conversion and he asked me to bear my testimony on it. At first, I was a little nervous, but I realize that he is called of God and that it must've been inspiration that lead him to asking me to bear my testimony. I realized that I needed to bear it."

To me, this was so profound. First, it hit me that I am called of God and always need to be seeking the guidance of the Spirit and how great of importance that is, but most importantly, it strongly impressed me how great her faith was.

A lot of the times, God, through His servants, asked us to do small and simple things. The Prophet, Apostles, Bishop, etc, many times ask us to do such small things but truly, its those small things that make all the difference. Recognizing and acting upon the reality of a person's calling sometimes takes great faith, but when we understand they are called of God and we willingly and easily do those things that they ask us, we are immensely blessed and our faith is strengthened.

In Helaman chapter 6, their is a verse that says something along the lines of, "And thus we see that the Lamanites were blessed and did prosper because of their EASINESS and WILLINGNESS to believe." With the people of Moses, all they had to do was to look at the staff and they would be healed. All throughout the Scriptures, we are given testimony of how easy the path is. "By small and simple things..."

The Lord doesn't always test us in major ways, a lot of the time, it is in the little, everyday things and the choices we are presented with. These little tests of faith and obedience, such as reading scriptures and praying daily, keeping our thoughts clean and pure, literally make all the difference.

As she was bearing testimony, these things really struck me. Faith can work many mighty miracles and do mighty things but is truly developed through obedience in the little acts that and things we do everyday. I'm grateful for the ability and strength the Lord has given me to excercise my faith. I'm grateful for the pure and simple faith and testimony of this wonderful member. I'm grateful to be a missionary! I love this work! I hope everyone is doing great! I love you all!!

Love,
Elder Stephen Ferris