August 3, 2015

Wow. What an insane week. When you live near the border of Delaware, trips outside the farmlands and Eastern Shore translate to the state of mind after a week long hike, looking around at society like a caveman in a foreign future. I'm getting used to it though! I'm nicely nestled in to the Kent Island Branch. It usually takes about 5 weeks for me to get accustomed to an area. It's also a little easier when there's about 50 people in Sacrament meeting to get to know, rather than 150 or 200. Marvel's kind of off the radar ever since the funeral. He's either not home or "asleep". He'll come around :).

As you can hopefully see, we traveled on down to the temple this Tuesday for an Endowment Session. We hitched a ride from a grouchy old man that we call Old Man Francesconi, zooming and lurching through the D.C. beltway from 90 mph to 10. One time he slammed on the brakes on a bridge and skid, launching Elder Teichert into the seat in front of him. I dieeeeeed laughing xD I'm grateful he drove us the two hour trip. Grouchiness is something that can hide charity, but it's still there. I managed to get him to crack a smile once or twice heh heh.

 Needless to say, by the time we arrived I was more than ready to enter the Temple. The gorgeous grounds and breathtaking architecture paled in comparison to the calm tranquility I experienced immediately entering the walls. I've  attended a temple service here before back in February with Elder Hinkle (shout out), so I knew where everything was and what to expect. This time, however, I had taken a name to do proxy work for from a member of the Branch. His name was James Hendry, a Scottish man who lived in the 1700's. The beauty of the Temple is how it is a reflection of unconditional love for others, regardless of what you are doing. The underlying, most crucial aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to first, love God, and second, love one another. Everything we do in the name of our religion needs to reflect these two commandments. The temple is no different. Inside is literally the House of God, a place of holiness and love you can distinctly feel. As the saving grace of Jesus Christ is eternally on us, beckoning us to let His healing hands lift us, it is still our decision based upon our works that open the gates of our hearts to God. The relationship of grace and works that go hand in hand is clearly seen through Temple work.

Whether it be baptisms, endowments (meaning heavenly gifts), or sealings, we are constantly in the service of God and our fellow men. I took the name of James Hendry upon me and witnessed the glory of God in its finest along side James, acting as the in between for him and God. In other words, I was acting as a true representative of Jesus Christ. Deeeep!! The emotions that flowed from the Holy Ghost came and went as I let myself relax and take in the moment. For the first time in my life, I felt like I understood an essential piece of God's plan. Temples aren't strange or new; rather they are the means to be the most Christlike possible in this life. 

I could go off on the temple forever. MAN.

The strength and comfort given Tuesday followed with me in the ridiculously hot days following. On Wednesday the last house we knocked on was immediately answered by a 19 year old looking guy who came right outside before we could say anything. The first thing he said was, "You're just who I wanted to see. Are you Jehovah's Witnesses?" we said no. Then he said, "How do I join the ministry?" in the most dedicated, direct way most missionaries don't carry.

Daniel and his dad Tony had just clicked play on the movie, "The Son of God" the exact moment we knocked on the door. WHAT?? yeah they invited us in, we discussed our service and doctrine and scripture and a whole lot of other things. We are going back tomorrow and i can tell these guys are the real deal.

God works with what we are and who we become, not with who we've been. As my man Baloo says, "Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your doubts." yeah man. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is really all we need. 

 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

 31 ¶But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

In Gospel terms, the bare necessities are simply to love God and to love your neighbor. The treasures of heaven don't come from worry and doubt ;)

xoxo

Elder Burgess