Bridles And Mountain Bikers

This week was so great! 

I got to go on 2 more exchanges with two SOLID guys! 

One is Elder McAllister and this is his 2nd transfer out so he was fresh. I don't think he was expecting how I do door approaches. He very much thought you could only talk about God and that's it. (I think we all thought that when we first came out) 

The other is Elder Brazier and man I had a good time with him. We had a super super fun service project and we got to make mountain bike trails/jumps. We probably had 40 missionaries there working on it and we got work DONE! 

A fun fact about Elder Brazier is that his family lives right here in Shelley and so I surprised him and set up a dinner appointment with his aunt and uncle. (I got it approved dont worry) it was a really fun thing to see him light up. 

He's only been out 4 weeks but he is a really hard worker, he lives with us and so it's a blast. 

I did some studies (surprise) this week and this is what stuck out to me. 

This is a father writing his son in essence, a note. Telling him what to be careful for in life and what to focus on. This son named Shiblon was "[steadfast] and [faithful] unto God" (Alma 38:2)

And yet his father still gave him council and correction. This is what Alma says to Shiblon:

"See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.

Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."

(Alma 38:11-12)

I try not to trivialize scriptures by translating them to "now talk" but basically Alma says this:

"Stop being prideful about your accomplishments, your grades, and your athletic abilities. God gave those to you and you need to recognize that.

Have a little bit more courage when around your peers, don't be afraid to voice your opinion. Start being more kind to those around you. Get off your tail and go do something productive" 

I think we have all been spoken to like that by our fathers at one time or another. 

What I loved and pondered on though was this statement: 

"Bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love"

I've been working on having a love for everyone so I knew this scripture had some kind of significance but I wasnt sure yet. 

Initially when I read this I thought "to bridle" was to eliminate or get rid of all unnecessary passions. 

NOPE

A bridle is a thing used to gain control so

what bridle really means in this sense is, 

Harness, channel, and focus your passions. 

Why? Because discipline makes it possible for a richer, deeper love

I got to ponder on what I'm passionate about and how I can focus that in, and it gave me a ton of guidance! 

It also really whipped me into shape and helped me focus on what I need to be more passionate about. 

I thought I'd share that with yall and maybe it'll help! 

Here's what yall scrolled for!

1. Shelley Zone!

2. Elder McAllister 

3. You can't see it but it snowed AGAIN

4. Port-a-potty pictures (he's not actually going)

5. Look at all those chickens

6-9. Service! The wheelbarrow had a flat and it took us two of us to push it up a hill. Also in the big picture that's all missionaries. I'm smack in the middle with the guy in the red on my shoulders.

10. My wood guy

11-12. Elder Brazier and his fam!