Are We Wearing Our Life Jacket?

Kjære familie og venner,

I gave a talk in Church on Sunday using the following analogy:

Imagine you're going on a canoe trip. You're getting the boats ready by the water when you see a sign that says "Warning: Life Jacket Necessary". You realize you forgot your life jacket at home. You brush off the thought, because the water is still, you have some experience, and the trip is short. You and your friends begin your adventure! You come about half way, and the wind picks up and it gets harder to continue straight forward. The waves pick up and before you know it, you fall into the water! The water is cold and it's difficult to swim against the waves. It becomes tiring quickly, more than you can bear. Just in time, one of your friends comes to your side and stretches out his hand to you. He helps you into his boat. He also has an extra life jacket for you. He knew that the water would become wavy and that you'd need one. He helps you back into your boat as well. Out of gratitude for your friend and your safety, you gladly put on the life vest. Now you're safe again.

I related the warning sign to the commandments, putting on our life jacket as obedience, and our friend to the rescue as the Savior. When we really understand what the Savior has already done for us, that He has saved us from the water, we will gladly wear the life jacket. Obedience isn't a burden. It becomes a joy. The waters of life are deep and wavy. Even if in our own lives, if the worst happens and we "fall out of our boat" so to speak, as long as we're wearing our life jacket, it's really not that bad. The "worst case scenario" in life isn't bad at all, as long as we have the most important things straight - keeping our covenants. We will float on top of the waves and make it through any of the storms of life. I bore my testimony of the Savior and His Atonement.

Do we appreciate what the Savior has done for us? Do we fully access His power?

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He has already saved us from the water. Reach out and up to Him, "who is the author and finisher of our faith" (Moroni 6:4). Trust Him. He wants to be your Savior. All we need to do, is repent and keep His commandments.

Have a great week!

Søster Jessica Brimhall

Pictures:

1. Splits with Skien sisters, Søstre Rawson & Barlow!

2. Splits with Drammen sisters, Søstre Ogletree & Starkie! We celebrated Sister Starkie's birthday at Texas BBQ. Never thought I could find a Texas BBQ place in Norway!

3. Søster Silva. Synne (Søster Silva) is a service missionary managing the mission's referrals. She lives in our ward. A picture taken outside the Sandvika church!