Small Step: Serendipity

Speaker: 00:00:00

So bona my friends, welcome to the

creative, spiritual journey podcast,

2

: 00:00:05

small steps, where I give you small

steps that you can take each day

3

: 00:00:10

deliberately on your journey forward.

4

: 00:00:13

Today's small step.

5

: 00:00:15

Serendipity.

6

: 00:00:17

I'm Judy Cooley.

7

: 00:00:18

I am your host.

8

: 00:00:20

I'm down here in South Africa,

Serving a mission for the church

9

: 00:00:24

of Jesus Christ of latter day

saints with my hubby, Eller Cooley.

10

: 00:00:29

I really would like to share with you

and experience we had on April 22nd.

11

: 00:00:35

So we pray every morning.

12

: 00:00:38

To be guided and directed to find the one.

13

: 00:00:40

The one that we can share the message

of Jesus Christ with the one that we can

14

: 00:00:45

bring his light and love into their life.

15

: 00:00:49

so that morning I read in my scriptures

alma 21 verse 16 this is Ammon.

16

: 00:00:55

Remember Alma and the sons of Heela, man.

17

: 00:00:58

And they go on a mission to the Laymanites

alma 21 verse 16 . says they went forth.

18

: 00:01:05

Whether so ever, they were

led by the spirit of the Lord

19

: 00:01:08

preaching the word of God.

20

: 00:01:10

And the Lord began to bless him, that they

brought many to the knowledge of the truth

21

: 00:01:15

So we prayed that the

spirit would lead us.

22

: 00:01:19

It was a Monday morning.

23

: 00:01:21

And we thought it would be fun

to start a new tradition of going

24

: 00:01:24

Monday nights and visiting families

and members, and to get to know.

25

: 00:01:28

them better.

26

: 00:01:29

And so

27

: 00:01:29

we.

28

: 00:01:29

pottered on some different names of

people we knew and maybe who could

29

: 00:01:34

do some extra loving in their life.

30

: 00:01:36

And a name came to me.

31

: 00:01:38

This name was.

32

: 00:01:39

from probably the second

Sunday that we were here.

33

: 00:01:42

I had a.

34

: 00:01:44

A young woman come up to me and

she said, My mother is bedridden at

35

: 00:01:50

home, and she's heard that there is

a senior couple missionary here, and

36

: 00:01:54

she really would like to meet you.

37

: 00:01:57

And I said, oh, that's great.

38

: 00:01:59

Um, give me your name and number.

39

: 00:02:00

And we wrote it down in my notebook.

40

: 00:02:04

And then I completely forgot.

41

: 00:02:06

And tell this moment when we were

praying to know who to go and visit.

42

: 00:02:12

And so I went through the notebook

and I found the name, And.

43

: 00:02:17

I quickly.

44

: 00:02:18

Text her and asked if

we could come and visit.

45

: 00:02:21

And she said that would be great.

46

: 00:02:22

We planned on five o'clock.

47

: 00:02:24

Well, we had the Peterson's another

senior couple in lady Smith about

48

: 00:02:29

an hour and a half from us come

up and spend the day with us.

49

: 00:02:32

And it was so fun.

50

: 00:02:33

We had lunch and just talked and got

some things done that needed to be done.

51

: 00:02:39

And I was thinking that they would leave.

52

: 00:02:44

Before it got dark.

53

: 00:02:45

And they didn't.

54

: 00:02:46

And so I kept texting this family,

pushing it back, pushing it back.

55

: 00:02:51

And finally we got out there

and it was dark seven o'clock

56

: 00:02:54

and we had a drive out into.

57

: 00:02:57

the mad at any township, which dirt roads

with big potholes and no street signs.

58

: 00:03:03

And we weren't familiar with

the area where we're going to.

59

: 00:03:07

But we finally found their home.

60

: 00:03:10

And they welcome us into their home.

61

: 00:03:12

And we're talking about this.

62

: 00:03:14

Woman's.

63

: 00:03:14

Issues with her back that are

so bad that she has a problem

64

: 00:03:19

standing and walking and she's in.

65

: 00:03:22

Constant pain.

66

: 00:03:24

And as we're visiting, I'm noticing

that people are coming in and

67

: 00:03:28

going out and people are coming

in and more people are coming.

68

: 00:03:31

And it dawns on me.

69

: 00:03:34

That they're gathering there.

70

: 00:03:35

And they're waiting in the other room.

71

: 00:03:38

And I just asked her.

72

: 00:03:40

Are you having family night?

73

: 00:03:43

And she said yes.

74

: 00:03:45

And I asked Could we please join you?

75

: 00:03:47

it was basically.

76

: 00:03:49

the gathering of the members close by

and they do this every Monday night.

77

: 00:03:53

I, it was so wonderful.

78

: 00:03:55

I felt the spirit so strong.

79

: 00:03:58

And then they sing a Zulu ham.

80

: 00:04:02

And.

81

: 00:04:03

That.

82

: 00:04:03

Room that we're in.

83

: 00:04:04

didn't have much lighting.

84

: 00:04:07

But the love and the spirit in

that room made it bright and warm.

85

: 00:04:13

And.

86

: 00:04:14

Then.

87

: 00:04:14

Eric asked he was inspired

and prompted to ask.

88

: 00:04:19

If she would like a priesthood blessing.

89

: 00:04:21

So we had this beautiful

discussion about faith.

90

: 00:04:25

And was able to give her a blessing.

91

: 00:04:27

That was.

92

: 00:04:28

For me.

93

: 00:04:29

One of my highlights of this

mission, And I got to thinking.

94

: 00:04:34

How do we showed up at five?

95

: 00:04:35

O'clock like planned.

96

: 00:04:38

We would have missed this moment.

97

: 00:04:41

And that is how the spirit works.

98

: 00:04:44

We were meant to be there at seven.

99

: 00:04:47

When the gathering was happening

for this family home evening.

100

: 00:04:52

To be there.

101

: 00:04:54

To testify of Christ.

102

: 00:04:56

To give a priesthood blessing.

103

: 00:04:59

And to enjoy that moment.

104

: 00:05:03

Where.

105

: 00:05:04

My testimony was strengthened.

106

: 00:05:07

And.

107

: 00:05:07

I really do feel like we

were led by the spirit.

108

: 00:05:11

Some may call this serendipity.

109

: 00:05:14

Do you remember that movie?

110

: 00:05:16

The movie serendipity.

111

: 00:05:17

Back in 2001 Whereas John and Sarah.

112

: 00:05:21

they meet when they're shopping

for gifts for their fiances.

113

: 00:05:25

And they have this night of romance.

114

: 00:05:28

then they decide to go

their separate ways.

115

: 00:05:30

You know, cause they're getting married.

116

: 00:05:32

To someone else.

117

: 00:05:34

But destiny has other plans for it.

118

: 00:05:36

And it brings him back together before.

119

: 00:05:38

Their marriages.

120

: 00:05:40

I love that movie.

121

: 00:05:41

It's very cheesy.

122

: 00:05:42

Chick flick.

123

: 00:05:43

But it was great.

124

: 00:05:44

The phrase, serendipity comes from a fairy

tale called the three princes of Serendip.

125

: 00:05:51

And it's a fairy tale in which the heroes

are always making discoveries by accident.

126

: 00:05:57

And finding things that

they were not inquest of.

127

: 00:06:01

That's much like our experience

with that family home evening.

128

: 00:06:05

serendipity is.

129

: 00:06:07

Defined as.

130

: 00:06:09

The occurrence and development of events

by chance in a happy and beneficial way.

131

: 00:06:16

Okay, I'll take it.

132

: 00:06:18

Why not the holy ghost

creates serendipity.

133

: 00:06:22

I want to share with you.

134

: 00:06:23

A quote by Dieter EFIC.

135

: 00:06:26

Oak door.

136

: 00:06:27

Selfless acts of service.

137

: 00:06:29

Refine our spirits remove the scales.

138

: 00:06:32

From our spiritual eyes.

139

: 00:06:34

And open the windows of heaven.

140

: 00:06:36

By becoming the answer

to someone's prayer.

141

: 00:06:40

We often find the answer.

142

: 00:06:42

To our own.

143

: 00:06:43

I felt like that's what

happened in that moment.

144

: 00:06:45

So many times here in Africa, I feel like.

145

: 00:06:49

We think we're going forward being

the answer to someone's prayers when.

146

: 00:06:55

They ended up pants during ours.

147

: 00:06:57

And bringing so much light and

testimony and love to our hearts.

148

: 00:07:03

David a Bednar said we can walk

with confidence that God will guide

149

: 00:07:08

our steps I've thought about a

time when Eric and I were hiking.

150

: 00:07:14

And we were out on antelope island.

151

: 00:07:17

For peak.

152

: 00:07:19

And we watched this amazing sunset.

153

: 00:07:23

But then.

154

: 00:07:24

What happens after the sunsets?

155

: 00:07:27

It becomes dark.

156

: 00:07:29

And we had our little dog Jack

with us and we decided to take

157

: 00:07:33

the shortcut along the Ridge line.

158

: 00:07:37

Well, that's not the Wellmark trail.

159

: 00:07:40

That is scrambling along the boulders.

160

: 00:07:43

And we had to put Jack in our backpack.

161

: 00:07:47

And his little head

sticking out of the top.

162

: 00:07:49

And make our way with one little headlamp.

163

: 00:07:53

Well, obviously.

164

: 00:07:54

We found our way home.

165

: 00:07:55

But it was a good example to me of.

166

: 00:07:59

Being led.

167

: 00:08:00

By the spirit.

168

: 00:08:01

Not knowing beforehand

where you're going to go.

169

: 00:08:04

Do you remember?

170

: 00:08:06

NAIFA.

171

: 00:08:07

And first NEEF I four for six.

172

: 00:08:11

him and his brothers have gone to get

the breast plates from Laban and this.

173

: 00:08:15

It's a dangerous mission

because of labor wins.

174

: 00:08:19

Army's But NEEF, I went there

with such faith, knowing that.

175

: 00:08:24

God would make away.

176

: 00:08:25

He would make a way possible to do this.

177

: 00:08:28

And it says in verse six.

178

: 00:08:31

And I was led by the spirit, not knowing

beforehand the things which I should do.

179

: 00:08:37

Nevertheless.

180

: 00:08:39

I went forth.

181

: 00:08:40

Is there.

182

: 00:08:43

Something in your life.

183

: 00:08:44

Some unknown.

184

: 00:08:46

Something big that you need to accomplish.

185

: 00:08:50

Or you're not quite sure yet where to go.

186

: 00:08:53

How can you learn to recognize

the promptings of the holy ghost?

187

: 00:08:59

Martin Luther king said.

188

: 00:09:01

Faith is taking the first step.

189

: 00:09:04

Even when you don't see

the whole staircase.

190

: 00:09:08

Even when, when you don't know.

191

: 00:09:11

Where it's going to lead you in

a little township and Matt Adani.

192

: 00:09:16

Two.

193

: 00:09:16

Beautiful spiritual experience.

194

: 00:09:19

So, how can you learn to

recognize the promptings of the

195

: 00:09:23

holy ghost and take those steps?

196

: 00:09:26

Those steps forward.

197

: 00:09:29

President Nelson said to do

the spiritual work necessary.

198

: 00:09:33

To receive the promptings

of the holy ghost.

199

: 00:09:36

Because he said in the coming days,

it will not be possible to survive

200

: 00:09:41

spiritually without the guiding,

directing comforting and constant

201

: 00:09:45

influence of the holy ghost.

202

: 00:09:48

Did you know, No her to receive that

holy ghost, to be helpful to receive that

203

: 00:09:54

light when we're on those Rocky ridges.

204

: 00:09:57

It requires spiritual work.

205

: 00:09:59

What's that spiritual work.

206

: 00:10:01

I invite you to find out.

207

: 00:10:03

Make your prayers mighty.

208

: 00:10:05

We dive into the scriptures and feast.

209

: 00:10:08

And also keep your covenants,

your covenants at baptism.

210

: 00:10:13

To willingly, take his name upon you.

211

: 00:10:15

Go and take it the sacrament every Sunday.

212

: 00:10:18

All these things.

213

: 00:10:20

Help the holy ghost.

214

: 00:10:21

Guide you.

215

: 00:10:23

So you can walk with confidence.

216

: 00:10:26

That God will guide your steps

And then you will find yourself.

217

: 00:10:31

In those moments.

218

: 00:10:33

Those precious moments.

219

: 00:10:35

In his light.

220

: 00:10:37

Bathe in his light, like we

were at the Family home evening.

221

: 00:10:42

I love you.

222

: 00:10:42

My friends, I'm going to

leave you with the Zulu him.

223

: 00:10:47

go and do the spiritual work.

224

: 00:10:49

And so you can find those

serendipity moments.

225

: 00:10:53

And I promise you.

226

: 00:10:55

His light will guide you.

227

: 00:10:58

And I'll see you.

228

: 00:10:58

on the trail.