Continual LIGHT Part 1

Speaker: 00:00:02

Yeti X-3: Musi that's Merry

Christmas and Izzy Lu.

2

: 00:00:07

Thank you for joining me, dear

friends here on the creative,

3

: 00:00:10

spiritual journey podcast.

4

: 00:00:12

We're gay.

5

: 00:00:13

And I share with you the things

of our hearts and the joys.

6

: 00:00:17

We were discovering along the way.

7

: 00:00:19

I'm Judy also known as sister Cooley

here in the Durban, South Africa mission.

8

: 00:00:24

I'm your host for this episode.

9

: 00:00:27

I believe it's number 45.

10

: 00:00:29

I'm titling it.

11

: 00:00:30

Continual light part one.

12

: 00:00:33

Let me tell you why.

13

: 00:00:34

I've recorded this episode.

14

: 00:00:36

A couple of times and every

written it many times more.

15

: 00:00:40

And I've come to the conclusion

that there is just too much.

16

: 00:00:43

I want to say about light, that

I'm going to be dividing it into

17

: 00:00:47

two parts the day in the night.

18

: 00:00:50

Do you see what I did there?

19

: 00:00:51

So.

20

: 00:00:53

It is our first Christmas in Africa.

21

: 00:00:57

As a child, I remember driving

around to see the Christmas

22

: 00:00:59

lights in the neighborhoods.

23

: 00:01:01

I remember one home had

this beautiful blue lights.

24

: 00:01:05

And temple square was just magical.

25

: 00:01:08

I still remember the glow and the

joy of seeing Christmas lights.

26

: 00:01:12

In the USA Christmas bling is everywhere.

27

: 00:01:16

Now there's all kinds of lighting,

Christmas lighting on homes, many colors.

28

: 00:01:22

And each house.

29

: 00:01:22

So elaborate.

30

: 00:01:24

I even know of some homes that

have Christmas trees in every room.

31

: 00:01:28

And it's winter back at home and

there's the first snow has fallen.

32

: 00:01:33

Everybody's busy.

33

: 00:01:35

Gift buying and wrapping and

Christmas parties and Santa Claus.

34

: 00:01:41

And sometimes the reason for the season.

35

: 00:01:44

Christ.

36

: 00:01:45

Can get lost.

37

: 00:01:47

Well, let me tell you about

Christmas in South Africa so far.

38

: 00:01:51

You have to look for it.

39

: 00:01:53

It was seriously.

40

: 00:01:55

There are very few

decorations in the stores.

41

: 00:01:59

And the Christmas section

is maybe one aisle.

42

: 00:02:03

There are no lights.

43

: 00:02:05

On houses.

44

: 00:02:06

I've seen one.

45

: 00:02:08

And ours is another one.

46

: 00:02:10

There are no Christmas trees.

47

: 00:02:12

It is hot.

48

: 00:02:14

And sunny.

49

: 00:02:16

And bright.

50

: 00:02:17

So I've been asking the members,

how do they celebrate Christmas?

51

: 00:02:22

Well, there are no gifts.

52

: 00:02:24

There's no Santa there's

no Christmas tree.

53

: 00:02:27

And many have warned us that crime

increases as well as drunkenness.

54

: 00:02:31

So to be careful out there, They

just simply get together and

55

: 00:02:36

celebrate and cook and eat a feast.

56

: 00:02:39

Usually a Bri, which is

just a south African.

57

: 00:02:43

Barbecue.

58

: 00:02:44

And they go house to house.

59

: 00:02:46

Sharing and eating and drinking.

60

: 00:02:48

whether it's Christmas in the United

States or here in South Africa, one

61

: 00:02:53

thing the Grinch has taught us from Dr.

62

: 00:02:55

Seuss classic Christmas story.

63

: 00:02:57

How the Grinch stole Christmas.

64

: 00:02:59

After he had stolen all the Christmas from

the who's down in Whoville and had taken

65

: 00:03:04

it to the top of Mount crumpet to dump it.

66

: 00:03:07

Then he heard all the who's gather

and seeing Yahoo Christmas morning.

67

: 00:03:14

And he said it came without ribbons.

68

: 00:03:17

It came without tags.

69

: 00:03:18

It came with that

package as boxes or bags.

70

: 00:03:22

And he puzzled.

71

: 00:03:23

Any puzzled till his puzzler was

sore, then the Grinch thought

72

: 00:03:27

of something he hadn't before.

73

: 00:03:29

Maybe Christmas, he thought.

74

: 00:03:32

It doesn't come from a store,

maybe Christmas, perhaps.

75

: 00:03:37

Means a little bit more.

76

: 00:03:38

Uh, it's a classic.

77

: 00:03:41

If you haven't watched

the original animated.

78

: 00:03:44

Um, don't miss out.

79

: 00:03:45

It's one of my favorite

Christmas memories as well.

80

: 00:03:48

Okay.

81

: 00:03:48

I've gotten off track

with my my 80 oh shiny.

82

: 00:03:52

Let us refocus.

83

: 00:03:54

Did you know that I do a daily

post on Instagram and Facebook?

84

: 00:03:59

Why?

85

: 00:04:00

Because I want to see the hand of God

in our day-to-day lives here on mission.

86

: 00:04:04

And to share the tidings of

great joy, the light of Christ.

87

: 00:04:09

Today.

88

: 00:04:11

On December 10th, 20, 24.

89

: 00:04:14

Just happens to be day

90

: 00:04:15

Yeti X-4: 344

91

: 00:04:17

Yeti X-3: of our mission.

92

: 00:04:19

So what, so what's

significant about that day.

93

: 00:04:23

If you recall in the book of Mormon.

94

: 00:04:25

We learn of the people of Jared.

95

: 00:04:27

Who were scattered at the time

that God confounded the language

96

: 00:04:30

of the people when they were

building a tower to get to heaven.

97

: 00:04:34

Yes, that same tower

of Babel in the Bible.

98

: 00:04:38

The stories found in the book of Mormon.

99

: 00:04:40

In the book of ether,

chapter two through six.

100

: 00:04:43

It is a miraculous story.

101

: 00:04:45

A journey.

102

: 00:04:46

It's a story of a family that the

Lord leads into the wilderness.

103

: 00:04:50

My favorite part of the story is Jared

and his brother, and are instructed

104

: 00:04:55

to build ships to cross the ocean.

105

: 00:04:57

It is this part of the story where

I want to pick up and share a

106

: 00:05:01

little insight that I've received.

107

: 00:05:03

Yeti X-4: So these barges

are ships that they built.

108

: 00:05:07

Are tight, like onto a dish.

109

: 00:05:10

Well, this presents three.

110

: 00:05:13

Problems.

111

: 00:05:14

First air.

112

: 00:05:17

Second, how do they see or they're going?

113

: 00:05:20

And third light.

114

: 00:05:22

Well, the first two problems

the Lord takes care of for them.

115

: 00:05:25

He instructs them, how to get air and he

also tells him that he will take care.

116

: 00:05:30

Of directing them towards

the promised land.

117

: 00:05:33

The third one though.

118

: 00:05:34

I love where the Lord says

to the brother, Jared.

119

: 00:05:37

What will you, that I should

do that you may have light.

120

: 00:05:42

In your vessel.

121

: 00:05:43

then.

122

: 00:05:43

He goes to work and figures out.

123

: 00:05:46

A solution.

124

: 00:05:47

he goes in Moulton's out

of rock 16, small stones.

125

: 00:05:51

and he carries them up to the top of

the mountain to the Lord where the Lord.

126

: 00:05:59

Touches them with his

finger and there is light.

127

: 00:06:03

Love this part.

128

: 00:06:05

I have written in my scriptures that when

the Lord's finger touches our best effort.

129

: 00:06:11

There is light.

130

: 00:06:15

So let's pick up the story here And

the Lord had prepared the stones, which

131

: 00:06:19

brother Jared had carried up into the

Mount and the brother Jared came down

132

: 00:06:22

off the Mount and he did put forth.

133

: 00:06:24

The stones into the vessels,

which were prepared one on each

134

: 00:06:27

then thereof and behold, they did

give a light unto the vessels.

135

: 00:06:31

And the Lord caused the stones to

shine in darkness to give light.

136

: 00:06:36

That they might not cross

the deep waters in darkness.

137

: 00:06:41

And then these brave souls.

138

: 00:06:44

They get a board, their vessels.

139

: 00:06:46

And they sit forth into the sea.

140

: 00:06:48

The unknown.

141

: 00:06:50

Commending themselves into the Lord,

their God commanding his two interest.

142

: 00:06:56

To deliver in confidence.

143

: 00:07:00

And the Lord caused that there should

be a furious wind blow upon the face

144

: 00:07:03

of the water towards the promised land.

145

: 00:07:06

And their vessels they're

buried deep into the water.

146

: 00:07:09

And these brave souls, they did

sing praises and did give thanks.

147

: 00:07:14

To the Lord all day long.

148

: 00:07:16

And when the night came, they

did not cease to praise the

149

: 00:07:19

Lord and they were driven forth.

150

: 00:07:22

And they did have light continually.

151

: 00:07:26

And they were driven forth

344 days upon the water.

152

: 00:07:33

There you go.

153

: 00:07:35

Today is 344 days that we have been on

our journey across the dark and deep.

154

: 00:07:45

So when we studied this and

come follow me a few weeks back,

155

: 00:07:49

I quickly check the calendar.

156

: 00:07:51

And did the math to discover when is

our day 344 days and that's today.

157

: 00:07:59

December 10th.

158

: 00:08:01

I want to share with you a little bit

about our journey here to South Africa.

159

: 00:08:05

And where this begins is in 2019.

160

: 00:08:09

When I read that in ether to.

161

: 00:08:12

What would G that I should do that

you may have liked in your vessel?

162

: 00:08:17

Because it was.

163

: 00:08:19

As if the Lord was speaking to me.

164

: 00:08:23

I was at that time in my

life in a dark depression.

165

: 00:08:26

And I desired to rediscover and restore

joy and light back into my life.

166

: 00:08:31

So I took this question to heart.

167

: 00:08:33

And really studied it out and prayed.

168

: 00:08:35

And what was I directed to go

and do serve in the temple?

169

: 00:08:40

So every Wednesday I found

myself in the temple.

170

: 00:08:43

Then COVID hit.

171

: 00:08:45

And I was privileged to

continue to work in the temple.

172

: 00:08:48

This gave me the opportunity to sit for

hours in silence in the celestial room.

173

: 00:08:53

While waiting for patrons to

finish the endowment session.

174

: 00:08:57

Okay, we're going to

pause there for a moment.

175

: 00:08:59

For those of you who aren't

familiar with this lingo, temples

176

: 00:09:03

endowments and celestial rooms.

177

: 00:09:06

Let me try to simply explain.

178

: 00:09:09

Temples are built to

be houses of the Lord.

179

: 00:09:11

We're sacred ordinances take place.

180

: 00:09:15

One of them is the endowment.

181

: 00:09:17

You have to be baptized member

into the church of Jesus

182

: 00:09:19

Christ of latter day saints.

183

: 00:09:21

And qualify by living the standards

of the gospel of Jesus Christ in

184

: 00:09:25

order to enter into the temple.

185

: 00:09:28

Now the celestial room is one

of the many rooms of the temple.

186

: 00:09:32

And it represents entering into

the presence of God, Is think

187

: 00:09:37

of it as his front room, it is

glorious and beautifully decorated.

188

: 00:09:42

It is a place of light.

189

: 00:09:43

Peace and reverence.

190

: 00:09:46

All temples had the same

purpose and practice.

191

: 00:09:50

But each one is uniquely

designed and decorated.

192

: 00:09:53

most have a beautiful stained glass

window that allows light to stream in.

193

: 00:09:58

And.

194

: 00:10:00

All of them that I have seen have a

brilliant chandelier in the center.

195

: 00:10:04

We're sparks of light and

brilliant color dance.

196

: 00:10:07

And it is to draw our eyes.

197

: 00:10:10

Heavenward.

198

: 00:10:11

to the light of Christ.

199

: 00:10:13

In the Beneful temple, there is a

golden velvet chair in the corner.

200

: 00:10:17

I would take a moment when I

was working to sit in prayer.

201

: 00:10:21

and ponder and rest.

202

: 00:10:24

I experienced enlightenment

and answer to my prayers there.

203

: 00:10:28

I regained a perfect brightness of

hope and light returned to my vessel.

204

: 00:10:34

It is said.

205

: 00:10:35

That we do not learn from an experience

we learn from reflecting on an experience.

206

: 00:10:42

So looking back and

reflecting on this experience.

207

: 00:10:45

recently.

208

: 00:10:46

the spirit whispered to me.

209

: 00:10:49

This was the light given to me,

touched by the finger of God

210

: 00:10:53

in that golden velvet chair.

211

: 00:10:55

On Wednesday in the bountiful temple,

it was my brother of Jared experience.

212

: 00:11:01

And that light was put into my heart.

213

: 00:11:04

And continues to shine as we've

gone forth upon the great deep here

214

: 00:11:08

on our mission in South Africa.

215

: 00:11:11

Have we had continual

light on our journey.

216

: 00:11:14

Uh, I like to think so.

217

: 00:11:16

We have definitely committed ourselves to

the Lord and have stepped onto the vessel.

218

: 00:11:22

So how are we to have continual light For

the Jaredites they gave thanks and saying

219

: 00:11:27

praises to the Lord can do tenuously.

220

: 00:11:30

We too can do that.

221

: 00:11:32

I often wonder if part of the story

is not recorded in the book of Mormon.

222

: 00:11:38

As the F when they complained and

forgot the Lord much like Laman

223

: 00:11:41

and Lemuel on their journey.

224

: 00:11:43

Did the light go?

225

: 00:11:44

Damn.

226

: 00:11:45

I did some of them maybe even go out.

227

: 00:11:48

And did all the barges make

it to the promised land.

228

: 00:11:52

We sometimes can incorrectly

pitcher the Jaredites on some kind

229

: 00:11:55

of luxury cruise bouncing along.

230

: 00:11:58

But the human nature of being on a

barge tossed on the waves for 344 days.

231

: 00:12:05

Would take continual light.

232

: 00:12:07

a lot of praising and a lot of prayers.

233

: 00:12:09

To survive.

234

: 00:12:11

You've written in a car with a family.

235

: 00:12:14

For just 12 hours or two days.

236

: 00:12:17

And people can get testy and believe

me, there is no singing or praising God.

237

: 00:12:22

See, I did it again.

238

: 00:12:24

I'm off chasing squirrels.

239

: 00:12:26

I want to get back on track

talking about continual light.

240

: 00:12:30

Christmas lights.

241

: 00:12:32

We have been called to be light

bearers to share his light.

242

: 00:12:38

To share these tidings of great

joy that it shall be to all people.

243

: 00:12:43

Christ is the light of the world.

244

: 00:12:44

He said, I am the light that you shall

hold up and shine and to the nations.

245

: 00:12:50

I hope you've seen and maybe have

even taken part in the church's

246

: 00:12:53

light, the world initiative.

247

: 00:12:56

It is brilliant.

248

: 00:12:57

It is throughout the whole world.

249

: 00:12:59

I invite you to go to light the world

on the internet and check it out.

250

: 00:13:04

It is simply this.

251

: 00:13:06

Each day, ask yourself who

needs your light today.

252

: 00:13:10

And then look for opportunities

to be that person's angel.

253

: 00:13:15

The South Africa, airy office as

asked our little new castle district

254

: 00:13:20

to search out a light the world

project so that we can get involved.

255

: 00:13:25

And bring this light to our

part of the world for Christmas.

256

: 00:13:29

So we prayed to find

just the right project.

257

: 00:13:33

Ironically.

258

: 00:13:34

Our district president,

who is an electrician.

259

: 00:13:37

I found our light, the world

project when he was called to

260

: 00:13:41

a home to repair the lighting.

261

: 00:13:44

This is where he met

Nellie and her husband.

262

: 00:13:48

At the Lynn Delaney care center, where

11 severely handicapped children live.

263

: 00:13:54

Many of them are blind.

264

: 00:13:57

Or deaf.

265

: 00:13:59

Autistic deformed.

266

: 00:14:01

Crippled.

267

: 00:14:02

And they can't speak.

268

: 00:14:04

Their needs are many.

269

: 00:14:05

And the list of repairs is long.

270

: 00:14:09

Our hope is to get the center up and

running so they can qualify for a license.

271

: 00:14:14

For a residential care

center and receive funding.

272

: 00:14:17

On day 337 on my post and Instagram.

273

: 00:14:22

On giving Tuesday, I posted

a story about Nellie and her

274

: 00:14:25

center, and I asked for help.

275

: 00:14:27

Donations poured in.

276

: 00:14:28

Thank you, Franz.

277

: 00:14:30

because of the exchange rate,

our dollars will go far here.

278

: 00:14:35

And the money given by the church,

like the world initiative, combined

279

: 00:14:38

with your generous donations together

with the time and talents of the

280

: 00:14:44

saints of the new castle district.

281

: 00:14:46

We will witness miracles.

282

: 00:14:47

I'm sure of it.

283

: 00:14:49

I received this recorded

message from Nelly.

284

: 00:14:52

I'll let her tell you.

285

: 00:14:54

Uh, good evening.

286

: 00:14:55

Good evening, Mrs.

287

: 00:14:57

Cooley.

288

: 00:14:57

I'm so glad to speak to

you, even the team as well.

289

: 00:15:02

We are here at Lendlani,

home of disability.

290

: 00:15:04

The sun is very, very hot.

291

: 00:15:07

The heat is killing us.

292

: 00:15:08

Thank you to let us know

about the donations.

293

: 00:15:12

We are very happy We

hope God will help us.

294

: 00:15:15

We will lead our way as well

to get us, uh, donations.

295

: 00:15:19

Thank you so much.

296

: 00:15:20

Your help.

297

: 00:15:21

This church's help everyone who are

participating We like to thank you.

298

: 00:15:27

We wish God to bless you all.

299

: 00:15:29

Thank you so much.

300

: 00:15:32

Yeti X-5: She is an angel.

301

: 00:15:34

she has been full of gratitude and praises

to the Lord for, for us finding her.

302

: 00:15:42

Yeti X-6: And Those precious

children are celestial beings.

303

: 00:15:46

So pure.

304

: 00:15:48

And we're so excited

to see them have their.

305

: 00:15:51

Center all fixed up and

their place, a little more

306

: 00:15:55

comfortable and livable for them.

307

: 00:15:57

Yeti X-4: So my friends.

308

: 00:15:58

What about you?

309

: 00:15:59

How can you have continual light

in your vessels, your heart

310

: 00:16:04

how can you have more light.

311

: 00:16:06

you

312

: 00:16:06

Yeti X-4: your home.

313

: 00:16:08

How about your neighborhood?

314

: 00:16:10

How about.

315

: 00:16:12

Your city.

316

: 00:16:14

Your nation.

317

: 00:16:15

The world is a pretty big

place for one little light.

318

: 00:16:19

And it's impossible to do alone.

319

: 00:16:21

But together we are many and

we can light up the world.

320

: 00:16:26

By prayerfully asking each

day who needs our light.

321

: 00:16:29

You don't need to be called the

server mission to shine his light

322

: 00:16:32

or even involved in a huge project.

323

: 00:16:34

I invite you to find

some way to shine today.

324

: 00:16:37

P someone's angel.

325

: 00:16:39

do some random act of kindness.

326

: 00:16:41

Share your smile.

327

: 00:16:43

Take a treat and visit someone.

328

: 00:16:46

Share some kind words, go

spread some Christmas cheer.

329

: 00:16:50

There are opportunities all around.

330

: 00:16:51

Keep it simple.

331

: 00:16:53

It doesn't have to be big or costly to

inspire and bring tidings of great joy.

332

: 00:16:58

Maybe there's some Christmas

things you need to let go of.

333

: 00:17:02

Some of that bling that's taken

away from the Christmas spirit.

334

: 00:17:06

And just adding more noise.

335

: 00:17:08

I'm not telling you what to do.

336

: 00:17:10

but for me being here in South Africa, I

can tell Christmas is going to be simple.

337

: 00:17:18

I joyfully testify of the babe.

338

: 00:17:21

Jesus Christ.

339

: 00:17:23

The light of the world.

340

: 00:17:24

Let me leave you here with the

words of a Chinese proverb.

341

: 00:17:29

When there is light in the soul.

342

: 00:17:32

There is beauty in the person.

343

: 00:17:35

When there is beauty and the person.

344

: 00:17:37

There is harmony.

345

: 00:17:40

In the house.

346

: 00:17:41

When there is harmony.

347

: 00:17:43

In the house.

348

: 00:17:44

There is order in the nation.

349

: 00:17:47

When there is order in the nation,

there is peace in the world.

350

: 00:17:52

My Christmas wish for you is to

be able to sing praises and give.

351

: 00:17:55

Thanks.

352

: 00:17:57

Without ceasing.

353

: 00:17:58

And may the light of Christ

burn continually and brightly in

354

: 00:18:03

your hearts and in your souls.

355

: 00:18:06

I will be back in the new

year with more light to share.

356

: 00:18:11

This time.

357

: 00:18:12

The nightlight happy new years.

358

: 00:18:14

My friend may God bless you with

more light in your vessels, and

359

: 00:18:19

I will see you on the trail.

360

: 00:18:21

And Gioconda.