ITS AMERICA.

That’s right. I was STOKED this week when our stake had a cultural night and our ward was the country of America. I was dying seeing people dressed as pioneers carrying pancakes or people in cowboy gear trying to do some country dancing. OR a rendition of Michael Jackson and doing the moon walk. If I weren’t a missionary, you better know I would’ve been on that stage doing some swing dancing, juju on that beat, throwing in some hoe down thrown down (@mileycyrus) and just having a good time.

But don’t worry mom. I remained calm. 

Mostly…

I did have the opportunity to sing the national anthem for everyone and boy was it worse than the national anthem sang by Fergie haha. There were Brazilians in the crowed who yelled after we finished "get some Americans up there" and then someone yells back and responds "they are Americans" and then ye yells back "well get some Americans that actually can sings and speak English" This right here is the blessing of being a missionary!

Quick thought! I was reading in 1 Nephi and so touched by the example Nephi shared about Moses while Nephi was building a boat. Nephi says this about the fiery serpents in Moses day "and after they were bitten he [God] prepared a way that they might be healed...and the labor they had to perform was look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished." Can I just say what a blessing a simple way the Gospel of Jesus Christ is? His way is simple but requires work, requires meekness, humility, longsuffering, and charity. It require faith. ACTION. 

     My plead for everyone is the same of Nephi to his brothers, don’t let the simpleness of the gospel and the easiness of the way lose you. Don’t overlook the mark that Christ has given us to simple "come, follow me." Choose now to be a little more Christ like, a little more patient, a little more giving, and a lot more submissive to HIS work.

Love ya all!

Elder Gardanier