When Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, my area wasn't badly affected.
But our friends closer to the coast were!
Wilmington for example was hit hard and so we
were given the opportunity
to help residents in that area recover by participating
in a clean-up effort with other members of The Church.
Mormon Helping Hands is a program designed by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
for communities everywhere in the world.
The program offers support both physical and temporal
through service, and gives relief and help during and after disasters.
Mr. Nielson has been to the coast a few times with others
from our church congregation to help in the clean-up effort.
Armed with his giant muscles and chainsaw he spent days
clearing debris, fallen trees, and cleaning out muck from homes.
A few weeks ago he took The Little Nies
(minus the littlest Little Nie, and me) to the coast to clean-up.
They worked hard, prayed with and for many of the people they served,
and brought cheer to the downhearted by helping.
We've seen that Hurricane Michael brought so much devastation and heartache
to many in Florida. You can count on the yellow shirts there working to
help restore peoples lives and hearts- just as Christ would do.
As soon as we get the word we will be in Florida
helping our brothers and sisters recover and give relief.
Look for the yellow shirts!
Meanwhile....back in Chapel Hill,
Lottie and I took Angus to get his haircut at the pet store
and also where she suckered me into buying her a Beta fish,
(that was in the clearance section...what does that mean?) who sadly
passed away 24 hours later despite the fact that it swam in pristine water
and had a cute little pink castle at the bottom of her bowl.
*****
I have mostly refrained from posting on Instagram the past
10 days since our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson (RMN) asked
the women of the Church to take a 10 day fast from social media:
"I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media
and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind.
Pray to know which influences to remove during your fast.
The effect of your 10-day fast may surprise you.
What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives
of the world that have been wounding your spirit?
Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy?
Have any of your priorities shifted—even just a little?
I urge you to record and follow through with each impression."
I have pondered heavily the questions that he asked,
and I feel good making changes as I move forward.
About 2 weeks prior to this counsel, I was already on a 14 day fast from
all social media, so an extra 10 days also felt good, and was much needed.
I am slowly finding my way back, and with my subtle changes,
that feels good too.
