The week was full and busy preparing for the week ahead, which includes transfers, departures and arrivals. Only 35 arriving this time compared to 37 last time:). We only have about 6 going home, so the hunt for apartments is constant and more and more wards will have two sets of missionaries.
My Thought to Ponder is:
"“We work together in faith and unity—faith that the Lord will guide our steps and unity with each other and with the missionaries, always motivated by our love for Him, our love for one another, and our love for those we serve.”"—Neil L. Andersen, "A Spiritual Work"
Topics: Work of Salvation
This was interesting to me because our gospel principles lesson was taught by the elders in our ward this morning (the regular teacher is out of town). They were only given a hour's warning and so just kind of "winged it" using the manual - but the topic was WORK. And the time spent was valuable and the Spirit filled the room. Then I came home and found this on my desktop and so thought it would be good to share:).
The other thing I wanted to share was a story I read on a Church News in our lunchroom; I tried and tried to find it on the computer so that I could just copy it, but all I have is my zerox copy, so I will copy that and put it here. It was particularly poignant for me because of having Grandma Oliphant in our home at a time when she was very much like the woman in the story. I am hoping all of my children will read this and remember the power of the priesthood, particularly if I am ever in that spot:)! So here goes:
When old age and Alzheimer's required my wife's mother, Elaine, to have constant care, she came to live with us, which permitted us to serve one of God's choicest daughters.
While living with us, she always greeted me with a cheery, "I know you!" Then, I would refresh her memory with "hello, Grandma! I married your daughter Anni. She's a good girl and so are you!"
Laughing delightedly, she would say, "I know Anni. And you're that big guy. Big, big, big!"
Grandma loved the animals and scenery around our home. She rejoiced in their rediscovery almost every day because of her illness.
One day, peering outside, she exclaimed, "What big kitties!" Smiling, I said "No Grandma, those aren't kitties. Those are our golden retriever dogs!"
One day Grandma started to sob, which was surprising because she never cried. Alarmed, I asked, "Grandma, what's the matter?"
With childlike innocence, she said, "This isn't my house. My mother is looking for me, and I don't know how to go home!"
Seeing her so confused and frightened almost broke my heart. I thought, "Heavenly Father, her mom is dead, and reasoning with her won't work. What do I do?"
The answer was to bless her.
I simply said, "By the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, I bless you with the knowledge that you are at our house, your mother knows where you are and you will be with her soon."
When I finished, Grandma leaned forward, extended a finger for emphasis and solemnly declared, "I know that that is true!"
Later, a fall left her visibly shaken so I pronounced another blessing and although dazed, when she heard, "By the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood," Grandma folded her arms and bowed her head. A non-member with advanced Alzheimer's, Grandma could not possibly have understood those seven words, but she felt the Spirit, sensed the sacred and responded reverently.
Although her disease robbed her of recall, it could not touch her pure spirit and when Spirit spoke to spirit, she instantly recognized and was comforted by the truth. (highlighting is mine)
-------Ricke Reed, Sedro Woolley Ward, Mount Vernon Washington Stake
My prayer is that I will live close enough to the Spirit to be able to recognize it if and when my mind fails to recognize those I love and the world around me, and also that the priesthood holders in this family will come to my aid:)!
No comments:
Post a Comment