"Healing the heart" Dad

Kids,

I am doing a lot of counseling with members in the Richmond branch who have a variety of problems from drug abuse, psychological behavior issues, typical sins, relationship issues, communication problems, etc. I want to testify that a person can change and become normal through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have discretely sent some people to see a psychologist, drug rehab, and etc. to get further help. If we are to succeed and Christ wants us to succeed then we must give up those behaviors and mental/physical limitations that prevent us from fully functioning and contributing in building our children and ourselves to help our children to lead normal and successful lives.

I have told members in the branch that repentance is not only from sins that sometimes beset us but to repent from behaviors/attitudes that prevent us from achieving our destiny outlined in our patriarchal blessings. Some members in the branch will not accept a calling unless it suits them. Obviously, the Lord is looking for people that are humble and teachable - a person of faith who will go and do what the Lord wants him to do. Are we that kind of person. I have heard people say they would give up their life for the church which is admirable but would you give up your life to live the gospel. Think about what this means.

I had a discussion with a young man who was having troubles adjusting to Boy Scout Camp. He had told me previously that he wanted to serve a mission for the Lord. When I described that some missions will not have the comforts of a Holiday Inn and there may be no air conditioning, no heat, no running water, a few insects, different kinds of food, he was all of sudden in shock. He thought that what we had in the USA was everywhere. I then went on to help this young man overcome the homesickness he felt. These are natural occurrences when we are pushed outside our comfort boundaries but we all can make changes for the better and be able to help others. I think that at the age of 40 years old I did not know how to swim. I stayed away from water and did not participate with you kids in water sports although I would drive you to swim lessons every day. I learned how to swim because several Boy Scouts I was planning to take on a high adventure in Canada relied on me so they could have fun. I put aside the fears of past horrible experiences and literally plunged in. Pam helped learn the strokes and every morning in the winter in Cleveland, Oh I would go to the kid's high school and swim 1-2 miles building my endurance and perfecting my stroke. I am no Mark Spitz (for those of you too young to remember he earned 7 gold medals in swimming at the 1972 Olympics). The high adventure with the scouts went great and I never felt afraid of the water again.

I think of the great example of Lehi and Sariah and how they helped their children to succeed and did not give up. We too must not give up on ourselves to change and succeed. You all have probably heard of the Auctioneer and the Violin Story. We must think that no matter how "damaged" we feel on some days that there is a Master of Heaven and Earth that is rooting for you to succeed. If we give in to Satan then we are not living up to the commitments we made in the pre-mortal life and to the commitments we made at baptism and in the temple. Satan wants us to limit what we do in life and do you know why? I will save the answer for another letter later.

love,

DAD

ALSO CHECK OUT LDS.ORG TO SEE AN ARTICLE FROM JAMES E. FAUST.