Hot and humid with the occassional rain drops. We did have a fierce down pour a couple of weeks ago and then as suddenly as the rains came - they went away.
Several months ago, from the corner convenience store, I purchased a small rose bush in about an 8" pot The blossoms were pink and tiny and delicate. They were in blossom for about a week then sadly the old blossoms had to be removed. I faithfully watered and gave plant food to my little rose bush. Not long after the first blossoming we noticed tiny buds forming again on the little bush. What a thrill. I didn't believe there would be more than one blooming and because the greenery was so welcome I just kept watering and feeding it. The second blooms finally faded and had to be taken off the stems. I cut the tall stems back a bit and continued the watering, feeding and turning the plant on the living room window ledge. To my surprise - we have a third booming from this timy rose bush. Seven little bloosoms. What a delight!
Now a little parable, how similar this little rose bush is to the gospel in our lives. In about 1913 in Chemnitz Germany, Aloysia Gehmlich rented a bedroom in her home to two Mormon missionaries. They taught her the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and from that one lady her family now has carried the gospel from Montreal Quebec to Texas in the East and to Utah and Alberta in the West and many cities inbetween. And like the little green plant, whose blossoms return to gladen the heart and please the eye, the gospel of Jesus Christ begins as a tiny seed of faith, a desire to know the truth and with careful feeding and learning from the scriptures, from prayer and from the every day goodness of God, we too grow to become beautiful children of our Father in Heaven - with the potential to reach hights we never thought possible. We have within each of us the divine light of Christ that enhances our every experience and whispers gratitude for the goodness all around us.
Many years ago my grandparents crossed the dry and barren plains from Ohio to Utah to follow their desire for religious freedom - to join with the saints in the Salt Lake Valley. Later they eachmigrated to Southern Alberta - Grandparents Jack and Vie Bridge and Grandparents Charles and June Harker. Great Grampa Pierce Fisher was called on a mission to help settle Southern Alberta in Hillspring. When he was ask why he never returned to Utah, his response was, "I was never released from my mission to Canada." From small beginnings the gospel - Good News is taken to every corner of the globe.
These past 7 months Elder Gehmlich and myself have felt it a priviledge to wear the badge of "Missionary" for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I bow to those many young men and women who give two years of their lives in the service of their God and being in His service blessing the lives of those who will listen to the message of Christ's mission and His plan for Happiness. The purpose of each of our lives, to find lasting joy and happiness.
Bye for this week. Elaine
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