Dream Big

 How's it going y'all? This was an exhausting week, we just had a lot of meetings and events towards the tail end of it that made our work feel less effective. Many great spiritual experiences though no doubt. One of those events was the temple which was peaceful break midweek to relieve some stress. Our friend Cormac also ended up being baptized this last weekend, which ended it on a high note. I think a big thing I took away from this week is, in pressure packed moments, I can choose to be a victim and let my situation get the best of me and lose a growth opportunity. Or I can choose to be a victor and overcome whatever circumstance I'm in through Christ and take opposition as an opportunity to be strengthened. If you know me, a passion I have is sports. The most dominant quarterbacks, basketball players, coaches, etc, are calm, cool, and collected in pressure filled situations. They choose to not let their circumstance defeat and overpower them. And they seize the moment and give all their effort to win. How a player handles a gametime, 4th quarter, pressure-filled situation, is what separates the better athletes from the best. Also in the case of how diamonds are made, they're put through extreme pressure until they become the beautiful, glorious rock they are. They go through their beat down and challenge, and when they finally endure, they shine bright. We have a choice every time we are put in a uncomfortable, pressure-filled situation. We can choose be victims or victors. Victors choose to see challenges as opportunities to be better. True victors use the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to strengthen them to bear their circumstances with Christ at their side. And through these challenging circumstances, they grow into Saints of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It's easy to complain and pout over our difficulties, but unwise due to the fact that the situation will stay the same, if not worse if nothing is done to change it. The best way to change and overcome a difficult circumstance is Jesus Christ. His Gospel is the only way to find true peace. We have a choice each and every day to be victors as we choose Christ to lead, change, and strengthen us into our best selves. Nowadays there's a lot of the "Be You" going around the world at school or work or whatever, or be who you want to be. How about "Be Who God Wants You To Be"... which is a Victor. Love y'all so much and Happy Halloween! Dream Big and grind. God be with you til we meet again. Horns Down

Kia Kaha 

Mama Laurel's Response to Elder Plumb's email:

I never replied to your email last week and I remembered today how much it had strengthened me last week when I read it. Great words of wisdom and truly heart felt.

It sounds like you are maybe experiencing how to overcome some mountains right now. Is it the Bishop and his non-support for missionary work? You are the right missionary to help this ward and its leadership feel the spirit and importance of the gathering if israel. President Nelson has a great talk recently on just that. I can find it for you if you want. Be patient and pray to see these people as the Lord sees them and He will then be able to tell you what to say and how to say it with the spirit. The people need to feel of your unconditional love for them and they will listen then. 

As RS President I have felt the Lord

helping me know what to say to the ward members that is so spirit filled it doesnt really matter what I said, they just remember the spirit they felt when I was talking about ministering in my ward’s case and how to. I also bore testimony one Fast Sunday of missionary work and the exciting work of the gathering of israel in a testimony and I couldnt repeat what I said but had so many come up and say they needed to hear that. We are instruments in His hands to say what He needs people to hear. So trust and let God prevail. I am sure you are doing this but continue in diligence and He will be with you and help you. 

Thank you for your email. It was truly inspiring and what I needed to hear! Always good to be reminded to be a victor not a victim 

I love you!

Mom