Desires to serve

 Delightful Disciples,

 

I had to write this e-mail tonight. You are all my absolute heroes. You bring me so much joy. I just couldn’t help myself tonight.

When I received this calling in August, I was at a loss for words. I’ll confess that I cried quite a bit in President Schilaty’s office, and later at home. I was terrified. I knew that this calling couldn’t be shrugged, it was not a “Sunday calling”, it would take my full devotion, it would take my consecration. Admittedly, I also knew that I was going to have to sacrifice. I knew I’d have less time for family, for cleaning the house, for fun in the mountains, for spontaneous trips out of town. I was also terrified because I clearly felt the call of the Lord. I felt his invitation, I knew it was Him that called me. I knew I had wasted too much time over the past years and recognized that I had not been consecrating my life to Him. I had desires to serve and I would not neglect His call.

As I reflect on that fear now, I realize how foolish I was. You fill my life with SO MUCH JOY.  There is truly nothing that brings more joy than service in the church of Jesus Christ. It has brought me an unparalleled perspective into the miracles that you work in your own lives, in our congregation, in our community, and in the Gospel. As I serve with you, I am blessed by your testimonies and your spirit.  Your goodness inspires me to fulfill my promises and consecrate more and more of my life. Nothing brings me more joy than that consecration.

I guess I’m writing this for those of you that feel overwhelmed or are wondering what is missing in your life. If you’re struggling tonight or this week, know that the Lord will strengthen you. If you are seeking answers or guidance, know that the Lord has the answer to your prayers. If you’re seeking comfort, you’ll find peace in service to the Savior.

Nothing brings me greater peace than service in the Church of Jesus Christ. Nothing has brought me more confidence than paying my tithing. Nothing has brought me closer to the Lord than reading Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Book of Mormon. Nothing has settled my soul like trusting in the words of the Prophets. Nothing has brought me more clarity than maintaining my focus on my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  

Sometimes, in Sunday School, I hear the following response about missionary work, “I want to share the thing that brings me so much joy” or “The Gospel brings me peace and so I want to share that peace with others”. Brothers and sisters, service and consecration has brought me more peace than I could have ever imagined. It has helped me to overcome. I want to testify that if we dedicate and consecrate our lives to the Lord, we will find peace and Joy. The Lord will qualify us and He will stand with us. We will feel His presence and know Him.  I’d like to invite each of you to search your lives and find one thing that you can consecrate more fully to the Lord – one simple thing. If you need help, you can also talk to Jesse, Ryan, or myself. I promise that as you consecrate that thing, your eyes will be opened, the Lord will answer your prayers, and you’ll feel His love and guidance more abundantly in your life.

I’m so humbled and thankful that the Lord has trusted me with this calling. I truly do not deserve it and I feel so very unqualified.  However, I have felt the Lord’s might, I have felt your mighty prayers. You and the Lord are clearly working to qualify me and guide me and I’m so thankful for each of you.

With so much love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

PS. I'm sorry for leaving out hyperlinks this week. My service was bad and having trouble loading the website :c

Look Unto Christ

 Fantastic friends,

I truly hope that you are doing so well! I love you all so much and I'm so thankful to know each of you. Are you as excited for the new youth presidencies as I am!? We are doing some amazing things! Before getting further, I want you all to be aware of some of the upcoming activities;

1/25 @ 6 PM: Junior/Senior FHE. At the Martinsen's home (Jim Creek Rd) for Juniors/Senior in highschool. 
1/26 @ 1:30 PM: Linger Longer. Bring an item to share. Kienzles will bring lasagna :) 
1/26 @ 7 PM: Program Purpose for Youth/Parents. Ethan Lockard and Brooke Schilaty will lead a meeting introducing us to the purpose of the youth program for the year.
2/14 @ 7 PM: Ward Valentines Day - a dinner and dance with live band for the whole ward. All are invited!
2/15 @ 7 PM: Temple Trip for Youth + Adults (ward and stake). All are invited! Make reservations to attend the 7pm Endowment session, join the youth in the baptistry (at 6pm) or just come enjoy the spirit of the temple!

There are so many great things happening! Please invite some friends to some of these great activities. Our family is growing and it's because of the love that is felt there. 

I received some e-mails in response to my last e-mail. First, I want to say that I LOVE reading those responses. They comfort my heart and fill it with so much joy. Also, I want to say that if you're having a rough time this week, please know that I am here for you AND I PROMISE that somebody else in our ward is there for you too. I have personally witnessed so much love this week. Our ward family is just full of so much kindness, purity, and goodness. I feel like you are the angels in my life and I can't express enough how thankful I am for each of you. There is only one part about Sunday that I don't like - when Brother Wiggins starts conducting and I realize that I have to stop visiting with each of you. 

I just have one simple message for today. With Christ, you are each capable of making heavenly miracles happen. I know that because you regularly bring miracles into my life. As I read JSH 1:27-30 this week, I thought about how I often get caught up in my own distractions and worldly interests. Despite Joseph's distractions, he was able to pray with perfect faith that he would receive forgiveness for his mistakes and saw an angel. I know that you all have faith just like that (or are capable of such faith) and it gives me hope that I can have that faith too. 

Sorry for the short e-mail this week. I just want you to know that your faith is enough, you are perfect, our ward family is exceptionally awesome. The Love of Christ will overcome all despair, all wickedness, all doubt. 

With Love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle

Finding Fuel

 Angelic associates of Arlington, 

Did you know that I'm in my sixth month as Bishop of the Arlington Ward!? I've reflected on that as we start this new year. It has become more poignant as we've called new youth leaders and as youth have graduated from primary and moved into the youth program. I realized that I will likely be their Bishop for the entirety of their time in young men and young women. That weighs heavily on me. I've wondered if I'm enough. I've wondered if I will always say the right things, ask the right questions, be the right example, and act on the right promptings at the right times. I'm confident that I've driven my counselors, the rest of the bishopric, and possibly the ward council crazy with my micromanagement and the "vision" for the ward (that I don't always understand). However, I've prayed mightily over that vision, and I promise I'm trying my absolute hardest to follow the Lord's will. 

I'd like to take a moment to share some that vision. By the end of the month, I'll have it formatted clearly and beautifully. ;) I envision the members of our ward, including the youth, developing a sure and unshakable testimony that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, their eternal Redeemer. I envision us becoming a diligently faithful people that makes and keeps covenants and thrives to make new ones as often as possible . I envision us developing an insatiable love for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being proactive participants in the work of salvation - both for the living and for the dead. I envision, that over the next five years, our ward will be a powerful and mighty discipleship training center. 

As I've been thinking on those things, I've been a little worried because I've been quite tired the past couple of weeks. I've worried about getting burned out. I've wondered, 'what is the fuel that I am missing?' There has been a bit of talk about that around our home lately. We've discussed sources of influence, guidance, and inspiration. What are the relationships that we foster that influence us? Am I surrounding myself with positive influences? Am I surrounding myself with powerful examples of righteousness and goodness? Am I fueling my soul with light and joy? Lastly, what brings me purity and lasting joy?

How has your understanding of your purpose and temple covenants led you to experience God's love for your personally? How has proclaiming the Gospel and loving your temple covenants brought you closer to Christ? Have you found strength as you've understood your covenants more deeply? Have you gained strength through Christ as you've shared the Gospel? What goals do you have for 2025? What is your mission for 2025?

I learned this week that I gain strength as I focus on gaining a deeper understanding of my covenants. I know that I can find joy and energy as I share the Gospel. I know that if I am humble, I can find strength. I'm not perfect but I don't need to be. I know that serving the Lord is the quickest way to finding happiness. I know that the fuel I need is faith, the water I need is Christ, and the energy I need is His Holy Sacrament. 

Thank you to all of you that have inspired me so incredibly much over the past several months. Thank you for bringing us to the temple, for sharing the Gospel with your friends, children, spouses, mothers, siblings, daughters, sons. Thank you for speaking in the name of the Savior of the world.


With so much love and adoration,

Bishop Kienzle