Rain, Pour Favor

It's that time of year again, when the sky is always overcast (like a musical with too many flaky actors), and your right foot always squelches when you step because you didn't know it would be raining and you put your holey shoes on, and every time you get in the car you pretend you are in a movie with a melancholy atmosphere (My favorite is pretending that I am an orphan boy on a grimy train going to an unknown destination, staring out the window and wondering if life holds any joy for me). I really am very joyful right now, but it is still fun pretending to be a solemn orphan boy.

I heard some great quotes this week, but the best was probably one by President Blatter:

"If you see a clown, avoid the clown."

                                -- President Blatter

That is some true wisdom right there. There is a weird scare going around about clowns right now in Washington. Really it just goes to show how ridiculously irrational mass hysteria can get, because everybody is freaking out, but nobody can justify it. Never fear, dear friends, I am quite safe from clowns right now (and just to tease your mind, I am not going to expound on that topic any longer).

We had some splits and exchanges this week and we got to meet one of the new (greenie) missionaries being trained in the zone right now. It was a lot of fun. Due to some extreme circumstances, I ended up in a threesome for a day with Elder Woodbrey and Elder Stuart, and we had a blast. It was probably one of the best days on my mission. Afterward, I was reflecting on the experience and I had a realization. You know, life really is what we make of it. Looking at that day from a detached viewpoint, it would have looked really discouraging: not many people answered the door and few listened, it was raining the entire day, I accidentally smacked Elder Woodbrey in the eye with pokey branch, etc. However, because we chose to be happy, we had a great day, and I will always remember it. We had a few great spiritual teaching experiences, and we laughed and worked hard all day long, and it was good. Happiness is based on our personal choices, not on our circumstances. Anyway, that is my insight for the week.

One scripture I really liked this week is found in Revelation 3:20-21

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

These verses teach some wonderful truths. God is always reaching out to us. He wants us to have joy and to be happy, but we still have to open the door. If we do, we will be able to fulfill our highest potential and become as one with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation, also called the plan of happiness. I love you all, and I advise you to share a truth you hold dear with someone else this week. Farewell! 

--

Elder Benge