New Challenges, New Creations
Susan Naylor of Oak Hill, VA, USA
Therefore, continue to be strong in faith. To you who hear my voice and know my promises I will reveal myself and give my peace, even in the midst of your uncertainties. Indeed, I am longing to pour out greater blessings than you have ever known if you, my people, will open yourselves through preparation, study, and prayer. -Doctrine and Covenants 158:11a-b
That first cry was the most amazing sound-there she was, 8 pounds, 7 ounces, 21 \xc2\xbd inches long, our first-born child. The human body is and does remarkable things. The best advice I received when I was pregnant was, “Trust your body; you know what feels right and to what you should pay attention.” Trust what is being born.
Our 2020 year has been challenging. Not challenging in the way life challenges us typically. Pandemic, hurricanes, wildfires, the world in lock-down, personal and social gatherings disrupted, education online, fear of the unknown and unseen, and yet, trust-trust what is being born.
As the world closed down and we realized in-person reunions would not happen in 2020, a myriad of feelings became real-how can we replicate this personal experience online? I don’t know where to start. I’m not tech-savvy-we’ll skip this year. And yet, out of the void came incredible experiences.
In the September leaders debriefing, it reminded me of that first cry, a breath of fresh air as responses included:
- We had 19 states represented. It was an amazing experience.
- When our sessions ended, no one wanted to get off the video conference.
- Outstanding!
- Many people came and said if this had been any other way, they would not have been able to join. It gave us a format; the material provided us with the opportunity to use people from all over the mission center and age groups; reunion this year was truly a family camp.
- We loved hanging out in “the (virtual) dining hall” -bring your lunch and see who’s there, the joy of getting to know people we haven’t known before. Our discussions were incredible.
- We sent a fellowship box to each registered family. We hoped to send out maybe 25-we sent 67 boxes!
- People are considering going to reunion that haven’t been before.
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). God is good. In Christ, everything old becomes new. This Advent season, we wait in anticipation-trust what is being born.
Prayer Phrase
“Trust what is being born.”
Spiritual Practice
Jesus, the Peaceful One
We have spent this year with a guiding question: Are we moving closer to Jesus, the Peaceful One? As we near the end of this calendar year, we review how this question has been shaping and forming us. In our thoughts, words, and actions, have we been embodying Jesus, the Peaceful One? What might it look like to move closer to Jesus, the Peaceful One as we make space in our lives for Christ incarnate this Advent season?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
