Today was the Frankfurt 2nd Ward Conference. Since I attend an international ward, the services are in English but people come from many different countries. Our Bishop was released today after serving for almost six years. He and his wife are from Spain. The newly sustained Bishop and his wife are from Italy. They all spoke during the service and although their accents were very different, the words were the same I have heard and treasured throughout much of my life. The released bishop said that he served with the help of the Lord: Sometimes He carried me, sometimes He stopped me, and sometimes He let me make my mistakes. He paraphrased something that we have heard Elder Holland say: We may not be perfect but we are all that God has. Then the newly sustained bishop spoke and talked about finding refuge and solace in the temple. While there several times over the past week he said he did not receive any miraculous visitations but was inspired to say to the members of our ward: "The Lord wants you in the Celestial Room because He sees us as Celestial beings." He closed his talk with the words from a hymn: "Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy"
(I've included the a beautiful version here)
Then our the Stake President spoke. He reminded us that our goal this year is to be "A Stake of Smiling Faces Where We Want to Welcome Everyone." Wow! Clearly, I am made for this stake. My gifts and talents are somewhat limited but I clearly have a smiling face.
Then in our Relief Society lesson we talked about JOY - Jesus, Others, You. A familiar topic that I love, of course. We started by naming the many things that bring smiles to our faces. She shared some words from a talk given by Elder Uchtdorf in October of 2008 entitled "Happiness, Your Heritage."
Ahhhh... I listened to this talk last week in attempt to help a young sister missionary who was having a hard time finding anything happy in her life at the present time. I shared some ideas from the talk with her and then e-mailed her the link so that on her Preparation Day she can watch it for herself. I watched it again before church and was smiling when I walked into Sacrament meeting.
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| This marvelous picture was taken by Adam Noe - these are his children. He shared it on Facebook one day and I "borrowed" it. It is the exact visual message I want to share in this Mission Miracles Blog today. |
I can just think of such instances as coincidences - a comforting series of things to be sure. However, I choose to call them tender mercies/mission miracles.
Proof that the young Elders and Sisters whom I serve are important to God - He doesn't forget them.
Proof that if I am willing to listen to the promptings of the service, at times I might be the instrument God uses to remind them that He loves them and doesn't forget them... which reminds me that He loves me and doesn't forget me.
Coincidence that I of smiling faces fame who insisted we dance to "Happy" at Girls' Camp and who started married life as my husband's Pollyanna because of my smile and my desire to bring happiness to others....
would now be living in "A Stake of Smiling Faces"?
Coincidence... I think not!
Here is the talk by Elder Uchtdorf. I hope you take a few minutes and watch it. And listen closely to his words because he shares a quote by J. M. Barrie who was the author of Peter Pan. I'm sharing it too!
Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others
cannot keep it from themselves.
