"Lords success formula"

Family and friends,
My week was all over the place and had a few unusual things happen.
From being in Peter and having a conference with a general authority
(Elder Grow of the 1st presidency of the 70) to losing my wallet in
Peter ( a huge city with LOTS of dishonest people) and having someone
return it to me, then returnig home and doing service in an old war
fort in K-grad and exploring its creepy chambers (it had a moat and
everything. It was seriously SO SICK), to offending an old babushka in
our ward who is convinced no one loves her and that we have all
forgotten about her ( seriously so sad. Please dont grow up and become
an old grouchy babushka!) and then finding out I will be serving in
K-grad with sister Pinkston 6 more weeks!!! (woooooo hooooo!).
Since the baptism Sister Pinkston and I have just been trying to
figure out what to do from square one. We're focusing on working with
the ward and bringing back the less actives. Elder Nelson, when he
came here last year he promised the missionaries and members if we
brought back the less actives that our number of baptisms will double!
Thats a promise worth working towards :) And that is exactly what we
are trying to do right now. This last week we met with a lady who
hasn't been to church in over 6 years and she came on sunday. Woooooot
wooot!
So this week I learned something SOOOOO COOL. Its what we call the
Lord's success formula. I know you have ALLL learned this before, but
never realized it. Its a pattern that works for ANYTHING;
relationships, school, work, seriously anything. Christ taught us this
formula and Joseph Smith knew it was so important he included it in
the articles of faith. Nephi calls it the doctrine of Christ.
Step 1) FAITH. In anything we do, we need to have faith in it, and in
ourselves. We trust that we can do it, we trust the Lord will help us,
we trust in those we work with or who are involved with us. Faith is
the basis of EVERYTHING we do.
Step 2) REPENTANCE. Aka GROWTH. Everyday we learn. We make mistrakes,
we figure out how to do things better. We learn as we try new things
and we try to be better. We make goals (goals based on faith of course
:) and then repentance is the growth process of accomplishing them.
Step 3) BAPTISM. aka COMMITTMENT. When we start something, we truly
commit ourselves to it and we do all we can to accomplish it, or
fulfill it, or keep our part of the bargain. Its more than just a
causal decision, its something we are determined to do.
Step 4) the gift of the HOLY GHOST. aka INSPIRATION. We all know we
can do things on our own, OR, we can have the help of a higher power,
or divine power. Our Father in Heaven didnt send us down here to be on
our own. He wants to help us, lead us, inspire us, comfort us, and
guide us. And He does daily. Often so quietly we dont recognize it.
And often we forget that He is there willing to help us. Seek His
help! I promise He will help you. And inspire you day to day, in both
the big things and the small. And dont forget, it is through small and
simple things that great things are brought to pass :) (alma 36:6 and
7).
Isnt that formula genious! I love it! And I hope you all do to. I love
you and promise as you remember this and strive to follow the Lord's
pattern you will be blessed. I love you all! Love, Sister Tenney