Letters from Elders Thornton and Riggs 11/20/90 GUIDElines

THORNTON - OREGON

11/2/90

Brother Parker,

My friend, how are you?

There is no way I can express the anticipation and excitement while reading the GUIDElines. I love you for your friendship and the service you are providing in furthering this glorious work. I am excited f or the growth in the Program and its success. May it continue growing into December! As i think of myself and my time in the MTC, one scripture comes to mind that would always keep my juices flowing, so to speak:

2 Nephi 1:23 'Awake, my sons; put on the armour of righteousness. Shake of the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.'

I love the excitement and love that was associated with the lights! May it be so this year.

Brother Parker, you will never know how much the October issue of the GUIDElines meant to me. On the 17th of last month my companion was sent home for some very serious problems. The Lord has helped me and guided me as I reflect back on my first two months. I am s o thankful to be here in Oregon and to be in the service of our Heavenly Father. For I know that he loves all of us, and only wants the best things for us. Your work and letters, of yourself and my brethren, were a strength.

As a parting thought on the work in the Gardens as well as throughout the world, Alma 29 comes to mind, but particularly Alma 29:14-17, with verse 16 saying '...when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body as  it were, so great is my joy.'

Oh, if words could express how much your work is appreciated. I love the Lord and my opportunity to represent him. May His Spirit be with you always.

Love, Elder Thornton

KYLE: I love you my son. If only I were truly worthy of the praise. However, what makes the GUIDElines special is what you say to each other. May you each be blessed. Each of you must also realize howmuch your letters mean t o me and to your brethren around the world. I read you letter to Sisters Tanner and Kimball before the start of the Sisters' Morningside yesterday. They are impressed with your wonderful spirit of humility and wish you well. [Just heard from Les that Paula White is going to the Portland, Oregon Mission early next year!]

RIGGS - JAPAN

 90 Nen Gatsu Nichi

Dear Brother Parker,

Holy Cow, you DID IT AGAIN! Another wonderful edition of GUIDElines is put out to the world. I artook of a spiritual feast, as I get to every month due to your kindness.

Some HIGHLIGHTS I loved were spread through the issue. I loved Elder Williams' thoughts about happiness and attitude. So true. Another place that wrung very true was form Elder Pospisil. It also took me a year to learn why I am on a mission. I feel that every missionary has a different mission to accomplish. It has  taken me a year to discover what Elder Riggs is supposed to do in Japan, but now that I have discovered my purpose(s), I can concentrate on those things and become a more effective servant of God.

I also noticed that there are many Elders who have, well, lazy companions. Recently, I've discovered what worked for me. It took me 3 tries,  but I think I've finally found a way to handle it. It's probably not the best way for every situation, but please share this with those who could use it.

We've already heard from David Porter about Unity a few issues ago. Wondrous!! You can't succeed in any way without unity. Contention is of the Devil and is in no way conducive to the Spirit. The first companion I sent home was my first test on this, and I bombed. So the Lord gave me another chance, and I crashed and burned. And yes, I got my 3rd chance, and I finally learned my lesson. Thank you, David, for your words of wisdom on Unity.

A big lesson I learned was that even if you are not working, you can still have the Spirit's guidance;. And oh, it's so necessary in a situation like this. You need to follow that guidance 24 hours a day in ordere to encourage him. When he gets on your nerves, the Spirit leaves. You need to forgive him and get the Spirit back (remember Gene R. Cook's Eight Ways To Get The Spirit? Prayer, scriptures, testimony, music, gratitude, spiritual experience sharing, priesthood ordinances, service.)

Yes, the key to missionary work is work. (ETB's words) So when we a e in charge, we will have the opportunity to work. But maybe before that opportunity arises, Heavenly Father wants us to learn something that makes us twice as effective as before. The Lord will test our a bility to love those whom are not easily loved, and our ability to forgive. In short, he tests 'the Greatest of them all' - CHARITY. Concentrate on him, rather than the work,.

Here are two suggestions for whomever this may benefit.

1) Give him your full support. Remember David Porter's article on Unity? Whether you would do the same thing if you were  in charge doesn't matter. Back home, in the changing of a Bishopric, or or Youth Guide Presidencies, or whatever, the programs may be done differently, not because one was better than the other, but that different personalities come together to create new ideas.

And even if your idea is better than his, as you support him, you gain his trust, and he will learn faster from his mistakes, than if you told him so.

2) Look for the good in him. Seek, find, magnify, and even defend the good in him. Praise him for it. Sincere praise is the best way to encourage. He becomes a somebody, feels responsibility (due to #1) and wants to do what you want him to, because you told him what he w anted to hear. Everyone can use some praise. Some warm fuzzies. Hope this helps someone. Thanks for everything!

Love, Elder Riggs

RYAN: I know you can'timagine the growth I see in you...your testimony, knowledge...it's grrrr8! You're over the hump now and we are anxious to see what this second year will bring. Saw your folks in the temple last week. It was nice to see them in such good surroundings. Your Mom has such a big, beautiful smile! It looks like there a re just too many of you for me to take time to write back. How sad. I love you Ryan and appreciate the support and strength you are for Les.