Hello everyone!

I live in Texas! This fact really hit me this week as we did some service outdoors. There is a local farm here in Denton that we have started volunteering at when we went, it was kinda toasty outside… In reality, it wasn’t even THAT hot, probably in the 80’s, but the humidity made it feel 10-15 degrees hotter. We were working in one of the big fields and I started feeling the heat really get to me. (I have never been a fan of heat. I was raised in Minnesota and I love the cold) So I started to feel pretty weak and really hot but I didn’t want to give up because no one else seemed to have a problem. I kept going until I started getting chills… that’s when I decided to sit down hahaha! I ended up being just fine, I think I was pretty dehydrated, but I am just nervous for the days in the summer they talk about when its like 115 degrees out with 100% humidity… I very well may die.

We found out this week that we will actually be starting to go back to church next week which is totally insane to me! Hopefully we all continue to be safe and healthy! I am super excited though, I have missed church a lot.

I also have another fun experience with some of the fun creatures living here in Texas! Two experiences actually! So we have 3 kinds of wasps that hang out around the barn. I only know what one of them is called and the other two are really spooky and thankfully keep to themselves. One looks like a regular wasp with one extra red stripe on it and the other is an inch and a half long and is dark maroon and black with one yellow stripe and that one is REALLY scary. But the one I know of is called a mud dauber. They are really creepy looking with really long, skinny bodies, but they are actually not aggressive so we kind of just co-exist. But they have become quite bothersome because they have gotten into our wall and they buzz around.. all day… We have also had several find their way into our apartment, but we took care of them.

Second story was when my companion and I went into the grove in the horse pasture to enjoy some nature and take pictures. We went to prop up my phone on a tree to take pictures and as I was adjusting my phone, I look not 3 inches from my hand to see a 5-inch long end-to-end, giant spider blending into the bark. OH HECCCKKKK NO! I WAS FREAKING OUT OF THERE! Definitely wouldn’t mind never seeing one of those again hahaha.

But, these critters had me thinking this week and I made a little connection to real life situations. Let me explain what I mean. There are so many kinds of bees and wasps. All are different in some way, whether it be by shape, color, size or purpose. But there are also some kinds that look very, very similar. Some wasps can even reflect the looks of a regular honey bee.

Honey bees have a purpose and they are very busy, hard-working, important creatures that do a lot of great things. On the other hand, a wasp, that may look or seem similar, does not do the same things that a honey bee does. A wasp does not make honey or help pollinate flowers. Wasps build their nest, multiply, annoy, sting and irritate. (At least that’s been my experience😂) One is a beautiful, useful, important creature and one does very little to no good and yet they look so similar.

One of Satan’s most powerful tools is deception. Making one thing seem like something else. He can decorate and fashion worldly images, habits, behaviors or practices to convince us they are “good”, “useful”, “beautiful” or desirable. However, if we fall into this deception, before you know it, you will be foolishly stung. It is vital that we are able to discern for ourselves what in this life are “honey bees” and what are “wasps”.

Sometimes that can be hard. This is why it is so important to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost lets us see things as they really are and the consequences that will come from the choices we make. The Holy Ghost will never lead you astray! Of that we can be certain! Following the Savior’s example has never proven to be a waste of anyone’s time or energy. It never has and never will! You simply cannot go wrong when you live in accordance to his principles and commandments. That doesn’t mean trials won’t come, because they can and they will. But you can be assured that you will not be lost in the mist of deception of the world as you strive to follow in the footsteps of the best life this world has ever known.

I am so grateful for the companionship I am able to have with the Spirit. I would be one lost puppy without it. I know that the Spirit testifies of the truth and comforts us in our trying times. I know that we can receive answers to our prayers from our Father in Heaven through the spirit. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God! Read it! It will change your life!

Have a phenominal week everyone! I love y’all!

Scripture of the week! 1 Nephi 10:19

Get Busy, Get Lost!
-Sister Oldham