She was called to serve a mission in Yekaterinburg, Russia 7 years ago. ⁣

When I was studying about Paul wanting so badly to return to the saints in Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2:18, but not being allowed to because of a ban by local leaders, I immediately thought of her modern-day parallel. ⁣

In July 2016, while my sister was in the MTC, Russia passed a law that banned anyone from preaching their religion in the country.

No missionaries allowed in Russia.

I asked Maddie to write a bit about her experience becoming a “volunteer” in Russia:

“I was studying in the MTC about how to be a missionary in Russia when I first heard the news that a new law was passed banning missionaries in Russia. I felt uncertain to say the least. ⁣

Even when I flew into the country 10 days after the law went into effect, it felt like no one had answers.

My trainer had never been a ‘volunteer’.

My mission president had been there only a month longer than I had.

Even the local church lawyers didn’t really have answers.

It felt like a giant step backwards.

Certainly Satan was in this law, not God. ⁣

But, as missionaries do, we went to work anyway.

Over time we adapted, tried new things, made new habits.

We made goals to meet with members and make friends with people on buses and planned SO many game nights.

We just kept going and praying and working. ⁣

Instead of focusing on all the things we couldn’t do, we focused on the things we COULD do. ⁣

And guess what?

We actually found a lot of success!

We developed close relationships with members and learned how to legally find new investigators. ⁣

And I know baptisms aren’t a measure of missionary work, but the baptisms in our mission the year after the law passed were actually higher than the year before when they could proselyte!⁣

You would never think a law banning missionary work would help missionary efforts.

But it did.

My mission taught me that even things that seem like they could never be part of God’s plan can be used to further His cause.” – Maddie Hanson Johnson

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post A Volunteer in Russia first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It will probably be a goal I have for the rest of my life.

Because it’s a lot of work!

Recently, I had a thought to check in on a friend.

But then I thought:

“Eh, not right now; it’s a weird time. Plus, I think she’s fine. Plus, what would I even say? Plus, I don’t want to seem weird.”

And so I didn’t check in on her.

It wasn’t until the next day that I realized— that was me suppressing a prompting!

And when I suppress a prompting, I’m probably missing out on more promptings in the future and blessings that could be available.

I don’t want to suppress promptings.

So the next time I thought about checking in on a different friend, I texted her immediately.

I wanted to show the Spirit that I was willing to act on any good thoughts that came my way.

I was surprised when, after I sent the text, even more friends’ names came to my mind!

I spent the next little bit catching up with lots of amazing people. ⁣

Look at Paul’s simple warning:

“Quench not the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)   

“Quench” means to suppress, extinguish, or hinder. ⁣

It’s a pretty straightforward warning.

Even if it’s trickier to always follow in real life.

Becoming Christlike means acting on promptings immediately.

Feeling spiritual confidence and confirmation in all that I do.

And realizing that each prompting I follow opens the door to a domino effect of other promptings and blessings that I can’t even imagine.

Now— I have to take a realistic view.

I’m not going to be really good at this for a long time.

But I think it’s worth the effort, right?

Each day, getting a little better at not quenching the Spirit.

And showing God that I’m ready to act!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Quench not the Spirit  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

There ain’t no tired like Saturday-morning-EFY-counselor tired. ⁣

(Has anyone else experienced this?! )⁣

But it was GOOD tired. ⁣

It was a “man, my body needs to just sleep for 40 hours” tired.

And also a “but I feel like I’m walking on a spiritual high!”⁣

To me, this is one of the most extreme examples I can think of of NOT feeling weary in well-doing.

I was so energized, but also tired.

But not weary. ⁣

“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

I think the caution to “not be weary” comes with 2 implications:⁣

1. Do good things and draw our energy from doing those good things⁣

I feel SO much more satisfied at the end of a day when I have reached out in service, done fun things with my family, and spent meaningful time with friends.

That’s where I draw my energy from!⁣

But I also like to stop and realize all the “good” that I already do each day and try feel energized from that, too!⁣

I cleaned up our breakfast oatmeal splatter mess right after it happened instead of waiting for it to dry and get more difficult?! Good things! ⁣

It’s like we get to cheer ourselves on when we catch the good things each day, and then draw our energy from it, no matter if we feel a little tired in the moment. ⁣

But then the other implication of this counsel is:⁣

2. Don’t overcommit so that we move past “good-tired” and into “weary”⁣.

It’s SO easy to overextend ourselves. ⁣

Did volunteering to help with that project seem like a good idea at the time, but now it’s just making you weary? Maybe it’s time to say no for a bit!⁣

Is the ghost of “but this is how they’ve always done it in the past” haunting your calling at church and making you weary?

Maybe it’s time to change traditions. ⁣

To me, “weariness” implies much more than being tired.

It implies feeling “run down” or “worn out”. ⁣

And I don’t think we are capable of doing much good when we feel weary. ⁣

I love feeling energized but tired from doing good things.

That is a fulfilling feeling! ⁣

But it’s also important to know when to say “no” or “not now” when we begin to feel that weariness.

How have you learned to weary not in well doing?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Tired, but not weary!  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

When faced with a tragedy, most people say that the traditional offering of “thoughts and prayers” doesn’t do anything.

People say that only actions will change things or offer any real help.

I always think:

Why not both?

Thoughts and prayers AND action!

We should always accompany our prayers with sincere effort.

Effort matters!

Whether that’s taking steps to support family members who need help.

Or actually reaching out to the ward members who aren’t at church.

Or becoming involved in advocacy for national or international causes that you care about.

But what do we do when “action” isn’t an option?

What do we do in those impossibly difficult moments when someone is enduring a trial that we wish we could take away but can’t?

What do we do when someone’s heart is too hardened to notice our efforts?

What do we do when we can’t control the outcome?

I have learned that prayer works.

Prayer really works.

God is powerful.

There are some blessings that God wants to give to us, but He needs us to ask Him in prayer.

The Bible Dictionary entry for “Prayer” says:

“The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them.

“Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them.

“Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”

That’s the only condition for many blessings!

We have to ask.

We have to intentionally ask.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2)

We can plead for those around us in our prayers.

We should absolutely accompany our sincere prayers with actions and service if possible. ⁣

But our Heavenly Father recognizes the form of “work” that offering a prayer is and is willing to give us and others blessings from that action.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Thoughts and prayers! first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.