Lesson Summary - "What Have I Done For Someone Today?" - President Thomas S. Monson

"What Have I Done For Someone Today?" - President Thomas S. Monson

President Monson has such a great story telling voice. I can't help but be enraptured every time he speaks.  You can listen to part of this talk in the following video.






As I was watching this video, I recalled a couple of instances where I experienced the joys of service.  One where I was the server, and another where I was the served. These are very personal experiences that are very dear to me, so please keep that in mind as you read. I am sharing very special memories.

The first happened while I was in college.  I was far from home, and a couple in my ward with several small children were very kind to me.  They invited me to their apartment to eat often and always checked up on me.  I just loved them.  Every time I went to their home, I could feel the Spirit so strong.  They were such good people. Always willing to help someone in need.  As I went to their home to eat, though, I noticed that their apartment was much smaller than mine.  They didn't have much furniture.  Their kids' clothes were old and worn.  I wanted to do something for them.  I wanted to help them because they had been so kind to me.  As I thought about what I could do, I realized that my sister's children were just older than theirs.  I called up my sister and asked her if there were any clothes that her children couldn't wear anymore that I could give to these people.  My wonderful sister took on the task, and the next time I went to visit her, I got a huge garbage bag full of clothes.  I was so excited to give them to this family.  The next Sunday, I told this family about the clothes and helped them put them in their car.  We didn't get to say much because we were both in a hurry that day.  Later that week, I got a call from her while I was taking a nap.  She left a voicemail on my phone that I'll never forget.  She told me that they had been praying for a way to afford new clothes for their children and what I gave them was exactly what they needed--the right sizes, the right type of clothes.  After hearing that message, I jumped out of bed and did a dance in my room because I was SO happy!  It felt so good to help someone else.

The second instance I thought of was also in college.  I'm sure you're all familiar with the term "starving college student."  It's pretty common.  I was working two jobs my last year in college to make ends meet.  I had a great job at the university library and got a chance to meet some truly wonderful people there.  I remember one time one of the ladies that worked there saw me shivering at my desk.  We started talking about how cold it was that time of year, and she asked me why I didn't wear gloves when I walked to work.  I told her I didn't own any gloves.  A week or so later was the Christmas holidays.  I came into work one morning to find two pairs of gloves with a note that simply said "From Santa."  I couldn't believe that she thought enough of me to buy those for me.  I was so grateful!  I'm pretty sure I still have at least one set of those.  Every time I wear them, I think of her sweet gesture to a poor, cold college student.  It really brightened my day and warmed my... hands.  :)

I truly do believe that we can become happier by serving others and allowing others to serve us.  I have been on both ends of the spectrum, and it is beautiful.  I really feel that if we spend less time worrying about our problems and more time finding ways to help others with theirs that there would be less sorrow in this world.  Our acts of service don't have to be huge.  A smile or a phone call could make someone feel ten times better than they did.

So let's all "raise up and do something more than dream of [our] mansion above"  Doing good IS a pleasure.  What have YOU done for someone today?

Lesson Summary - Chapter 5 - "The Creation"

Gospel Principles - Chapter 5 - "The Creation"

One thing that really struck me today while listening to this lesson was the gratitude we should feel for all the beautiful things our God has created for us.  Our teacher asked us what creations we loved and appreciated.  It got me to thinking about all the little things for which I am grateful.  I wanted to share those with you, but I didn't want to just tell you.  I wanted to show you, so that you can see what I see when I view the world.

Flowers.  I love them.

I love them after the rain.

I love them before they even bloom.

I love them no matter how small.

Or how fuzzy.

I especially love them when they're given to me.  :)

I think moss on trees is beautiful.

The best kind of waterfalls are the ones I find in the ditch of our front yard.

Red is the most beautiful when it appears naturally.

How does God make dying leaves so breathtaking?

It's always fun to find unusual moments in nature.

Hot chocolate on a cold day is one of God's greatest creations. :)

So are warm days after way too many cold ones.

I'm so grateful God created my loving husband and wonderful son.

And I'm even grateful for messy little girls.  :)

I hope that as we all go through life that we remember all the big things as well as the little things that God created just for us.  If you're ever doubting God's love for you, just look around.  All of these creations... the sun... moon... stars... they're just for you.  

"The Lord's Earthquake Warning"

I'm sure we all heard about the terrible earthquake in Chile recently.  I can't even imagine how scary that must've been for those people.  Not long after it happened, I received an e-mail with a story about the missionaries in Chile.  This story shows what can happen when we follow the promptings of the Spirit.  It is a letter from the Mission President's wife in Santiago Chile East Mission.  You can read the full article with photos at Meridian Magazine's website.  Here are a few excerpts that I especially loved:

"When we were set apart for this calling, Elder Scott of the Council of the Twelve Apostles taught us many important lessons. He spoke from personal experience when he was a mission president in Argentina. One message that he shared with us is this: 'At times, during your mission, you will be awakened in the middle of the night or the early morning hours with thoughts of specific things you should do for certain missionaries. Do not ignore these thoughts. They are promptings from the Holy Ghost who will communicate with you in the stillness of the night or the peace of the early morning hours. He will speak to you then because that is when you are still enough to hear.'

"Nearly two-and-one-half weeks ago, I was awakened at around 4:00 AM by just such a prompting. I did not hear a voice, but the thought was as clear as if it had been in the form of spoken words: 'There is going to be an earthquake. Prepare your missionaries.' I sat up in bed and immediately remembered Elder Scott's counsel. That morning I told Larry what had happened. He immediately set to work organizing our missionaries to prepare for an earthquake.

"We set a goal and arranged our schedule so that we could visit every apartment in the mission to check for safety and to review with our missionaries what to do in case of an earth quake. What a wonderful experience we have had as we have met with them and shared scriptures with them about being spiritually and physically prepared. '...if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear (D&C 38:30).

"When the earthquake came, we were prepared. We did not experience the panic that many felt. We knew we were prepared. 

"Today, we attended a strong ward where Larry was invited to speak. The entire chapel and beyond was filled. People were so humble and so teachable. Larry taught the importance of doing the small things. He taught about Jesus Christ and the opportunity we have to love one another and to share what we have with others.

"It was a great blessing for us to be with these beautiful Chilean people. Some have lost their homes...or at least parts of their homes. But they are strong and they want to serve the Lord.

"Our hearts are filled to the brim with gratitude for all of the blessings we have received in the Chile Santiago East Mission. We see miracles every day. In the midst of great pain and suffering, we can always find our Savior. He stands with His arms open, pleading for all of us to humble ourselves and come unto Him. He loves us. He invites us to accept His gift...the atonement."

I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who, if we are prepared to listen, will give us promptings and warnings, so that we may be safe.  I love, LOVE this story!  I think it is proof that our God is still a God of Miracles.  :)

The Infinite Power of Hope

Today we had a message from our Relief Society President about Hope.  Instead of me talking about it, I thought I'd share a couple of videos with you.  These and other beautifully made videos on gospel topics can be found at MormonMessages.org.  Enjoy!