January 19, 2015

We shared the following story with most of the people we visited this week. 

  A member of the Church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going.  After a few weeks, the branch president decided to visit him.  It was a chilly evening.  The president found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.  Guessing the reason for the president’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace, and waited.  The president made himself at home but said nothing.  In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs.  After some minutes, the president took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember, and placed it to one side all alone, then sat back in his chair, still silent.  The host watched all this in quiet contemplation.  As the lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire went out.  Soon it was cold and dead.  Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.  The branch president glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave.  He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire.  Immediately it began to glow. Once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.  As the president reached the door to leave, the man said to him with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon.  I will be back in Church next Sunday.”

We live in world today, which tries to say too much with too little.  Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unsaid.

It is when we come together as a congregation, under the protection and warmth of each other and our leaders, that the Lord can bless us.  

After our district meeting we enjoyed a short performance by this elder who is a master at that game.  I forget what it's called. 

Some favorite missionaries.

One elder is going home and the other is being transferred.

Saying goodbye to "our boy".
We never had a son so we claimed him for a while.  

Three wonderful elders.

Funny expressions are also worth saving.

It's very exciting to get packages from home.
We have been missing the tangelos from the trees in 
our back yard at home, and we always love and treasure 
art work from our grandchildren.