Elder Robert D. Hales "Return"
When You are on the Lord's Errand, You are Entitled to the Lord's Blessings
Elder Hales reached a time in his life where he was asked to serve as an Elders Quorum President while attending Harvard business school. He was worried that he would not be able to do it all. His wife said something to the effect of, "I would rather be married to a righteous priesthood holder than a successful businessman," and then she said, "and together, we can do both." It reminded me of my wife and myself. It seems like I always get spread out thin, and this semester is no exception. I'm tutoring a chemistry class, I have a heavy load in school, and I am Elders Quorum President. One night when my wife was feeling especially lonely, she confronted me about how busy I was. It was a turning point in our marriage I felt, because we both finally were able to communicate how we felt. After what she told me, I wanted to be there for her more often, and after what I told her, she wanted to support me in school and in my calling. Things have been a lot better since, and we're happier than we ever have been. I shared this part of the book with my wife and it brought a peaceful feeling into our hearts.
No Mission?
In my calling, I feel like I'm able to hear a lot about people's insecurities. There are 3 or 4 brothers in my ward who didn't serve missions. Now they're married and at BYU-Idaho, where it seems like most men have served missions. It can be discouraging. I thought Elder Hales chapter on serving where you are at was very intuitive. Now, whenever somebody confides in me their wish for having served a mission, I can say, "Elder Hales didn't serve a mission. And look where he's at! He said that you just have to serve with where ever you're at. It's hard to be asked the question so many times and having to say that you didn't serve, but you can still bless others lives by your service today."
A Desire to Read
I had no idea Elder Hales worked for Gillette. I had no idea he loved baseball as a child. I had no idea he served in the military. This book was such a great read for me because I feel like Elder Hales shared with us his life's lessons. What a treasure! I want to listen to what he has to say in conference more intently now. I feel like I have a connection to him now and that I respect him more. This has inspired me to continue to read books such as these. Last Christmas, I was given President Monson's book. I haven't read a page of it. This Christmas break, I want to start reading it. I also want to read all the other great books that have been written by our church leaders. My dad said that a lot of the self help books have truth in them, but you have to glean for it. Then he said that you can't go wrong reading a book by a prophet or an apostle. I finally read a book by an apostle and now I know what my dad meant.
Elder Hales reached a time in his life where he was asked to serve as an Elders Quorum President while attending Harvard business school. He was worried that he would not be able to do it all. His wife said something to the effect of, "I would rather be married to a righteous priesthood holder than a successful businessman," and then she said, "and together, we can do both." It reminded me of my wife and myself. It seems like I always get spread out thin, and this semester is no exception. I'm tutoring a chemistry class, I have a heavy load in school, and I am Elders Quorum President. One night when my wife was feeling especially lonely, she confronted me about how busy I was. It was a turning point in our marriage I felt, because we both finally were able to communicate how we felt. After what she told me, I wanted to be there for her more often, and after what I told her, she wanted to support me in school and in my calling. Things have been a lot better since, and we're happier than we ever have been. I shared this part of the book with my wife and it brought a peaceful feeling into our hearts.
No Mission?
In my calling, I feel like I'm able to hear a lot about people's insecurities. There are 3 or 4 brothers in my ward who didn't serve missions. Now they're married and at BYU-Idaho, where it seems like most men have served missions. It can be discouraging. I thought Elder Hales chapter on serving where you are at was very intuitive. Now, whenever somebody confides in me their wish for having served a mission, I can say, "Elder Hales didn't serve a mission. And look where he's at! He said that you just have to serve with where ever you're at. It's hard to be asked the question so many times and having to say that you didn't serve, but you can still bless others lives by your service today."
A Desire to Read
I had no idea Elder Hales worked for Gillette. I had no idea he loved baseball as a child. I had no idea he served in the military. This book was such a great read for me because I feel like Elder Hales shared with us his life's lessons. What a treasure! I want to listen to what he has to say in conference more intently now. I feel like I have a connection to him now and that I respect him more. This has inspired me to continue to read books such as these. Last Christmas, I was given President Monson's book. I haven't read a page of it. This Christmas break, I want to start reading it. I also want to read all the other great books that have been written by our church leaders. My dad said that a lot of the self help books have truth in them, but you have to glean for it. Then he said that you can't go wrong reading a book by a prophet or an apostle. I finally read a book by an apostle and now I know what my dad meant.