Milo

There is so much that goes into every week here in the pool. I struggle every week to share with you the many great things that happened!

Emma received a priesthood blessing this week to help her with the Word of Wisdom. The blessing was so amazing. It really emphasized her baptism and having an Eternal Family. Speaking of her baptism, Bishop isn't sure if we will be able to have it on the 26th so stay tuned for the confirmed date. We also attended a funeral this week for Brother Allen a member in our ward who passed away because of bad health. They asked us to sing in the funeral so we said yes. I think it is truly amazing how fast a family can come together. The spirit was there. We went to the temple to give tours for the temple lights. It was beautiful!

I Love Love our investigators. So many families to work with, we recently received Elders in our ward so we are handing over some of our families to them so that the work can be hastened. It was hard letting go of these families. But one thing I realized is that I am an investigator. Correction, I am an eternigator. Eternigator is a title we give an investigator who seems like they will investigate for eternity. But really, every day I am learning something new. I plan on investigating forever and to be more converted every single day. Here is an interpretation from Elder Bednar about the parable of the Ten Virgins. It is so good!

I now want to use one of many possible interpretations of the parable of the ten virgins to highlight the relationship between testimony and conversion. Ten virgins, five who were wise and five who were foolish, took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Please think of the lamps used by the virgins as the lamps of testimony. The foolish virgins took their lamps of testimony but took no oil with them. Consider the oil to be the oil of conversion.

“But the wise took oil [of conversion] in their vessels with their lamps [of testimony].

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

“Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps [of testimony].

“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil [even the oil of conversion]; for our lamps [of testimony are weak and] are gone out.

“But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves” (Matthew 25:4–9).

Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no.

As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible.

“Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17).

I learned about what conversion truly means from Elder Bednar. I know that we take our "conversion" with us when we go to meet our Heavenly Father. We take our entire selves that have been tried and tested and CONVERTED. That is who you will take.

Love,

Sister Jacobsen

P.s. We are going to play laser tag today as a zone! Also, look up 3 Nephi 31-33

Something else I learned is to stop asking less-active members to come to church. Instead we ask them "How long has it been since you've taken the sacrament?"

Also a member thought of me and gave me a bunch of American candy from Costco. Love Costco.