Today, as I sat in the truck waiting for a parking space in the Ogden Temple parking lot, I watched a woman hobbling along in what looked like a great amount of pain. Her swollen legs were wrapped in pressure bandages and she paused every few steps, grimaced, then gritted her teeth and push on across the expanse of the lot. When she was within hearing range, I rolled my window down and asked if she was heading for her car. She pointed to the last parking space near where I'd stopped to wait. I commented on her dedication in being at the temple when she was in obvious discomfort. She smiled and said, "It is the only place I can go to get peace."
I have often wondered how so many older people, some barely able to walk or move, find the energy to serve in the temple either as workers or patrons. Some have been there as regular as clockwork, serving quietly, hardly noticed by anyone year after year after year. Perhaps their blessing is peace in knowing that there is nothing so great as service to others with no thought of reward. Giving someone the opportunity to accept the gospel is the most lovely and precious of gifts. All it may cost for some folks is inconvenience, discomfort, and pushing through great pain.
Then, there is me--much healthier than they, arguing with myself as to whether I had the time to go to the temple today in the midst of the pressure of the long list of holiday to dos. Obviously, by being so caught up in the hustle and bustle of busyness, I missed the fact that the number one "to do" for Christmastime would be to go to the temple where one can be as close to the Prince of Peace as possible--doing His work. Unfortunately, as I was congratulating myself for giving a great Christmas present to the person for whom I had done the temple work, I failed to realize how much I've been given and how little He asks in return.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
2009 Christmas Message * * * Happy Holidays to You and Yours!
Santa Whispered, “Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas.”
The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ages ago—the shining hope of
humankind.
Red: The first color of Christmas symbolizing the Savior’s sacrifice for all
Fir Tree: Evergreen—the second color of Christmas shows everlasting life. The needles point heavenward.
The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold—signifying that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.
The Candle: A mirror of starlight reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem.
Gift Bow: Tied as we should all be tired together in bonds of goodwill forever.
Candy Cane: The shepherds’ crook used to bring lambs back into the fold—a reminder that we all are our brothers’ keeper
The Wreath: A symbol of the never-ending eternal nature of love . . . having no beginning and no end.
We hope your holiday season is a joy and that this letter finds you with peace in your heart. Let us pause in the hustle and bustle of the world and look at the lives we have touched and put aside the feeling that we have not done enough. The main thing our Savior has asked us to do while on this earth is to LOVE MUCH and DO THE BEST WE CAN. In that word, love, we find the foundation of selfless service that has the ability to touch one life that initiates a ripple that goes beyond the influence of the moment and on forever . . .
If anyone would like to get in touch with any of the kids, contact us at rando57@gmail.com.
Our goal is to wear our lives out in service to others in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. His gospel is a marvelous guide for our lives and we hope others can gain peace and joy in knowing of God’s great plan of happiness and salvation.
If you do not hear from us next year, it will be because postage is double from England and there may not be time to do cards. We plan to stay in touch via e-mail (hopefully).
The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ages ago—the shining hope of
humankind.
Red: The first color of Christmas symbolizing the Savior’s sacrifice for all
Fir Tree: Evergreen—the second color of Christmas shows everlasting life. The needles point heavenward.
The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold—signifying that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.
The Candle: A mirror of starlight reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem.
Gift Bow: Tied as we should all be tired together in bonds of goodwill forever.
Candy Cane: The shepherds’ crook used to bring lambs back into the fold—a reminder that we all are our brothers’ keeper
The Wreath: A symbol of the never-ending eternal nature of love . . . having no beginning and no end.
We hope your holiday season is a joy and that this letter finds you with peace in your heart. Let us pause in the hustle and bustle of the world and look at the lives we have touched and put aside the feeling that we have not done enough. The main thing our Savior has asked us to do while on this earth is to LOVE MUCH and DO THE BEST WE CAN. In that word, love, we find the foundation of selfless service that has the ability to touch one life that initiates a ripple that goes beyond the influence of the moment and on forever . . .
If anyone would like to get in touch with any of the kids, contact us at rando57@gmail.com.
Our goal is to wear our lives out in service to others in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. His gospel is a marvelous guide for our lives and we hope others can gain peace and joy in knowing of God’s great plan of happiness and salvation.
If you do not hear from us next year, it will be because postage is double from England and there may not be time to do cards. We plan to stay in touch via e-mail (hopefully).
A Christmas Reflection . . .
John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:11
It seems to take about the same amount of effort to be mean or rude as it does to be decent and kind. Certainly the mental and physical effects are different, but what happens on the inside to the recipient of our personal interactions is largely incomprehensible. There really is no way to measure the full impact, but we know by certain outcomes whether a person has been delivered more positives than negatives. a person can choose to use Satan's tools of negative words and actions and bring down, or be a disciple of Christ, and lift others up. Everyone, no matter the circumstances from which they come, can be an instrument to build others and help them feel like a worthwhile part of the world. Positive regard perpetuates human happiness.
Our Lord and Savior directs us to love one another--love one another--love one another . . . This message reverberates throughout the Holy Scriptures and it is not antiquated.
He knows our human tendecies to take out our anger, hurt, disappointments, and such on others. He also knows the worth of every individual, the innate respect each person deserves, and the need we all have to be told, through others on the earth, that we DO matter. If we can be an instrument in delivering this message, we help others to grow and contribute positively. We also benefit from the positive we give out. It comes back one hundred fold in more ways than we sometimes realize. These are the blessings promised by Him to those who do as He did while on the earth.
We have an assignment in the world, a duty if you will, a purpose to living--the important one we'll ever have--to LOVE! If this purpose is fulfilled, it will keep us on the strait and narrow path back to our Heavenly Father. Why is it sometimes so difficult to see in others what our Savior sees and to simply love them? Love begets benevolent service and service enriches individual souls, which grows humanity. A single person loving CAN change the world. He did.
-by Roberta 2006
It seems to take about the same amount of effort to be mean or rude as it does to be decent and kind. Certainly the mental and physical effects are different, but what happens on the inside to the recipient of our personal interactions is largely incomprehensible. There really is no way to measure the full impact, but we know by certain outcomes whether a person has been delivered more positives than negatives. a person can choose to use Satan's tools of negative words and actions and bring down, or be a disciple of Christ, and lift others up. Everyone, no matter the circumstances from which they come, can be an instrument to build others and help them feel like a worthwhile part of the world. Positive regard perpetuates human happiness.
Our Lord and Savior directs us to love one another--love one another--love one another . . . This message reverberates throughout the Holy Scriptures and it is not antiquated.
He knows our human tendecies to take out our anger, hurt, disappointments, and such on others. He also knows the worth of every individual, the innate respect each person deserves, and the need we all have to be told, through others on the earth, that we DO matter. If we can be an instrument in delivering this message, we help others to grow and contribute positively. We also benefit from the positive we give out. It comes back one hundred fold in more ways than we sometimes realize. These are the blessings promised by Him to those who do as He did while on the earth.
We have an assignment in the world, a duty if you will, a purpose to living--the important one we'll ever have--to LOVE! If this purpose is fulfilled, it will keep us on the strait and narrow path back to our Heavenly Father. Why is it sometimes so difficult to see in others what our Savior sees and to simply love them? Love begets benevolent service and service enriches individual souls, which grows humanity. A single person loving CAN change the world. He did.
-by Roberta 2006
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