Down By the Riverside

 [Title refers to this folk song.]

3/11/2024

大家好！Hey Everyone!


*Quick tangent time*

Not gonna lie everyone. . . looking back, this week was incredibly difficult; perhaps among the most difficult weeks I’ve had (with the exception of finals week, of course :P). Study and experience remind me, though, that these periods are crucial for our joy and well being. This is when we grow the most. This is when we do the uncomfortable in order to experience greater comfort.
. . .mmmokaythanksthatsalltheendamen.

I hope everyone else had a fantastic week, though! The weather's been super warm in Calgary which has been cool. We're getting a ton more sunshine now which is super nice! Or, at least, we were. (Confound you, Daylight Savings!)

Experiences from this week:

Fred finally returned our call on Sunday! We hadn’t had a lot of response from him this week, but he answered yesterday, and we’ve got an opportunity to teach him this week. I’ve stumbled a little bit in my worry for him, but my companion has helped me remember to have hope and faith.

We got lectured by two different people this week! Both happened shortly after we gave them a copy of the Book of Mormon, and both responses were that Elder Bigler and I need to read the Quran. I honestly think it would be a cool experiment to read and pray about it’s truthfulness, just like I do with the Book of Mormon, and see what answer comes to heart. One guy told us, though, that the English translation doesn’t do justice to the original Arabic, which makes me really grateful that the Lord has allowed the record of the Ancient Americas for “all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people” to receive revelation.”

Cool Tender Mercy! A great song came to mind several times that I’ve been whistling and singing during rough moments. American Spiritual “Down by the Riverside” has a surprisingly uplifting tune and some simple yet profound lyrics, implying themes of baptism and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. (The Spirit was so nice as to remind me of that!)

Easter is in 20 days! Surprise! On a related note to the point above, I’ve made a new challenge for myself, now that we’re halfway through Lent (aka prep-season). My challenge is to go these next 20 days without saying a word of criticism. No pointing out flaws. No “talking smack” about anyone. Our prophet, President Nelson, said this perfectly, “‘If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy’ that we can say about another person—whether to his face or behind her back—that should be our standard of communication.” Looking back over this email, I can see there’s already a long ways to go (apologies, Daylight Savings), and there’s gonna be some mistakes, but it is possible! I extend the same invitation to all of you beloved fellow friends, to join me these next 20 days in “fasting” from words of criticism and laying them down by the riverside. The great promises of peace and good cheer will be fulfilled as we do this.

Stay awesome!

爱你们!

–熊长老


Photos:

Post DCM study group???

Chinook arch? Or just March I dunno.