Updates on Elder Farnsworth

So, how was your General Conference weekend? It went way too fast if you ask me. If you're not sure what General Conference is all about, click on that link up above and check it out - it's basically a spiritual feast, whether you're a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or not. The church is centered on Jesus Christ and His life and teachings. In the church we're taught how to love, serve, have hope, charity, and joy, and that each one of us are children of Heavenly Father. I believe and rely on that knowledge completely! The great part is, this is something that EVERYONE can know and learn about for themselves; it really is for everyone.

If you're not a member of the church but you see those guys (and girls) who go around in their "Sunday clothes", usually walking or biking, you might be wondering to yourself, "What in the world are they doing?"

Well, in a nutshell, they're serving a mission (yes, by their own choice) and their service is to try to find people who want to learn about the Savior and how to live like Him and be happier in their everyday lives.

I was at work and talking to a friend who said that she sometimes thinks of the missionaries as "Mary-Kay salesmen". Let me just tell you, missionaries are not salesmen!! They don't gain any kind of monetary reward if they find someone who decides to join the church because of their invitation! 

Missionaries, as well as members of the church are trying to share the message of the gospel because they love it and the Savior and our Heavenly Father.

 They/we want to help others feel that same love - true story. :)

Well, that being said, you might already know about my brother, David, or as he's referred to right now, Elder Farnsworth.

He's been serving a 2-year mission since November of 2012 in the beautiful land of Brasil. He totally loves it and loves the people he's been meeting and getting to know. 

He emails us once a week and occasionally sends pictures of some of the friends he's making and different places he gets to go and see.

The next few pictures are some of my favorite so I thought I'd share. :)

Just for a little background, in our family we love babies and kids and have been lucky to babysit and care for lots of them for as long as I can remember. When he was younger, David used to complain sometimes because there were days that we'd have kids over from 2 or 3 different families all at the same time and the house was full of wonderful chaos! Of course, for a teen-age boy, I'm sure it wasn't always his idea of a good time - at least that's what he tried to make us think.

Once he got to Brasil, it was only a few weeks or months into his mission before he sent an email that said something like, "We visited a family with a lot of little kids and it made me feel comfortable because it reminded me of being home or with the little cousins and all the babysitting you guys do." He's also mentioned that he's excited for the day when he can have a family of his own. So as much as he liked to give us a hard time for having kids around all the time, he loved it more than he'd admit in the moment. Typical. :)

So here is some visual proof of the fact that he has a place in his heart for kids like the rest of us do.

 He's also been able to help with several baptisms and I know that's been a special opportunity for him.

 

He also gets to see some amazing places in his everyday life! He made friends with a man who owns a hotel and invited David and his missionary companion to come have breakfast at the hotel one morning. This picture is the view from the balcony - lucky!!

I'm so grateful to have a brother on a mission as well as one of our best friends, plus a cousin and an aunt!

I'm also grateful that we can all be missionaries in our everyday lives. The gospel is the only way to have the most happiness and hope in the times that we're living in right now. If you feel like it, check out this site, too, which has tons of info about the things we learn through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a gospel of peace and it can bring joy to anyone who is looking for it!

Until next time, have a great week! :)