"Dieting" is the key word today, along with "better nutrition," "watch the fats," "lowering our cholesterol," and "exercise." This is very good advice for healthier living. And we need to keep this in check. But I would like to talk about a different diet, one that is also necessary for a healthy and long life.

This is our spiritual diet, or S-diet.

Let me give you a disclaimer before you read this article:

The brothers and sisters in my branch give me reasons each and every Sunday to realize and understand better just how deep the family of God is.

The Sunday when it was announced from the pulpit that the Lord had opened the door for me to meet the family of God in Guatemala, I had so many handshakes and hugs of congratulations after the meeting.

Today we're bringing you two more Blessing Bits from the Gospel News. If you haven't already, please share your short, sweet testimonies with the paper by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Today's Good Word comes from the pages of Genesis.

"Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall."

We're rounding out the week with more experiences courtesy of the IMOC. Yesterday, we asked you to pinpoint the common thread shared by all three experiences. It was that all were immediate, on-the-spot healings. Today, we're not going to make you guess the common theme. It's baptism. Here are two powerful baptism experiences — share yours for Miracle Monday next month!

Yesterday, we shared several experiences from the IMOC, and we've got more for you today. God is truly working with our brothers and sisters outside of the U.S. Yesterday, we asked you to find the common thread in all three experiences. It was that each one involved the rebuking of an evil spirit. Today's experiences have a common thread, too. Can you see it?

Today we're sharing several experiences given to us by the International Missionary Operating Committee (IMOC). These all occurred in the mission field — can you tell what they all have in common? Post a comment below and guess at the common thread.

Happy Monday, brothers and sisters. We're continuing this month's Miracle Monday theme by bringing you more Blessing Bits from the Gospel News. If you have a short, sweet experience that you've wanted to praise God for, please send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. While you're at it, renew your subscription to the Gospel News, or subscribe for a friend or young person. It'll bless you — and them — more than a bit.

Today's Good Word comes from Sister Enza Pusillio.

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" James 4:17.

Thanks so much for sharing, Sister Enza! Sometimes we gravitate more toward memorizing the warm, fuzzy scriptures, but we need to commit the convicting ones to memory, too.

Share your favorite scripture with us, and we'll make it our next Good Word Friday.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to the survey a few weeks back! It's our desire to do two main things with the Gospel Blog this year: glorify God and serve you.

God willing in 2015, we intend to continue publishing the great things God has done by sharing your testimonies, experiences, and miracles. We also hope that the devotionals, lessons, and other writings will be a spiritual supplement to your everyday scripture reading routine.

I'm a planner, for sure. I can appreciate spontaneity, but, in most situations, I like to know what to expect. I want to know what hotel I'm staying at on vacation. I want to know what kind of food the restaurant serves before I get there. When I get paid, I want to know ahead of time where the money is going.

How about you? Are you a planner?

Editor's Note: The New Year is a time for reflection, looking back on what we've learned through our experiences. Sister Alena does just that as she ponders what she gained from her recent trip to visit The Church in Guatemala.

Before I left for Guatemala, I had a friend from high school tell me that I would teach the people there so much. She said that because of my education and background that I would be able to share so much with these people.

And I'm here to tell you that she was very wrong.

Welcome to the first full week of 2015, brothers and sisters! It's our pleasure to kick off the first Miracle Monday in January with a special theme. This month, we're featuring the top 10 Blessing Bits from the Gospel News!

The Blessing Bits editor has scoured the archive for a variety of inspirational Blessing Bits from a variety of brothers and sisters from a variety of locations who have experienced God in a variety of ways. We'll feature two Blessing Bits each Monday in January. If you have a Blessing Bit to share, please email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We here at the Gospel Blog are praying for a blessed New Year for all of you. We're praying that you anticipate the good things God is going to do for you and your family with a hope-filled heart. We're praying that He strengthens you through the challenges you will face and gives you a faith-filled testimony even in the valley.

So long 2014.