For Christmas we visited family in Utah. Our daughter Kyra and her family weren’t able to be there so we took the time at Thanksgiving to visit them.
The weather in Georgia was much nicer than here in Virginia, a good ten degrees warmer. We did all the normal holiday things. We all ate too much. The grandchildren played in the fallen leaves. Friday night we put up a tent, sat around the large fire pit and camped out for the night. I brought along some fireworks like I sometimes do. The kids always like the racket that makes. There were some minor home repairs to take care of. It’s an old house so there is always something to do to it. Watching the Macy’s parade was fun too. It was apparently windy in New York City so they were not sure if the big character balloons would fly. In the end they just held the balloons closer to the ground to better keep them under control.
On Sunday we were able to attend church in our old ward, the Stockbridge Ward. It was fun to see some of our friends who we’ve known for years. We lived in Georgia for eight years. We’ve now been in Virginia for five and a half years. Every time we visit we get the question about when we are moving back to Georgia. I suppose they ask because we still own our home there. That will only be true for another three years or so. Our plan is to retire when I turn 60, then go serve a church mission as a couple. We’ll see how that all works out. For us to do that we will need to sell our Georgia home.
Earlier in November I had an unusual church assignment. I was the High Council speaker at the Stafford Branch. What is unusual about it is that it is an all-Spanish unit. I was able to meet with branch leaders before church, then speak and attend meetings using my Spanish. I hope the members were able to understand my message, and more importantly, feel the Spirit.
The theme, of course, was about being thankful. One of the references was a talk by President Monson in the October 2010 conference, The Devine Gift of Gratitude. The other reference was Luke 17 and the story of the ten lepers. I thought about what to say all week. The main ideas finally came on Saturday, while I was jogging on the treadmill in our basement. The word “distance” was front and center.
You may remember the story. There were ten lepers who approached Jesus and from a distance they cried to him asking to be healed. Keeping distance was the traditional requirement for lepers in that part of the world at that time, a reasonable approach to allay fear and spreading disease. They were healed. He told them to go to the priests to follow the Law of Moses and be “cleansed”. There was one, however who approached him giving thanks, even falling at his feet.
Here are the two thoughts. The nine were about doing their traditional life, their routine. Seeking help, they left their tradition in part and approached Jesus in part. Once they received their help they followed his council and returned to their tradition, their routine. The one who gave thanks did not just immediately slip back into a routine, but cried and gave thanks.
How often do we tend to approach God when we need help, but upon finding relief from whatever pains us, fall back into our normal life, even our normal church life? He who returned and gave thanks was told to go his way, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” He did not just blindly follow tradition by keeping distance and seeking ritual cleansing.
The other idea, the distance idea also felt important to me. All ten drew somewhat nearer to Jesus while asking for help. The one got even closer when praising and giving thanks. I would submit that seeking guidance or help from God will bring us to a point close to him. However, thanking God for what he has already given will bring us closer still. As we recognize his hand we are acknowledging what he has already done. When we seek a blessing we are asking for something yet to be done. Both require faith, yet recognizing builds a stronger recognition. I hope that I am able to show more gratitude for things both asked for, and not asked for, but yet are expressions of his love for me.
I hope you had a great Christmas season, wherever you are. Like many, I have been away from family over the holidays in past years as a missionary, in the military, and because of work. I encourage each of us to consider what he has done perhaps you will miss your loved ones a little less, and in the years to come, when we are with them, will be that much sweeter.
The weather in Georgia was much nicer than here in Virginia, a good ten degrees warmer. We did all the normal holiday things. We all ate too much. The grandchildren played in the fallen leaves. Friday night we put up a tent, sat around the large fire pit and camped out for the night. I brought along some fireworks like I sometimes do. The kids always like the racket that makes. There were some minor home repairs to take care of. It’s an old house so there is always something to do to it. Watching the Macy’s parade was fun too. It was apparently windy in New York City so they were not sure if the big character balloons would fly. In the end they just held the balloons closer to the ground to better keep them under control.
On Sunday we were able to attend church in our old ward, the Stockbridge Ward. It was fun to see some of our friends who we’ve known for years. We lived in Georgia for eight years. We’ve now been in Virginia for five and a half years. Every time we visit we get the question about when we are moving back to Georgia. I suppose they ask because we still own our home there. That will only be true for another three years or so. Our plan is to retire when I turn 60, then go serve a church mission as a couple. We’ll see how that all works out. For us to do that we will need to sell our Georgia home.
Earlier in November I had an unusual church assignment. I was the High Council speaker at the Stafford Branch. What is unusual about it is that it is an all-Spanish unit. I was able to meet with branch leaders before church, then speak and attend meetings using my Spanish. I hope the members were able to understand my message, and more importantly, feel the Spirit.
The theme, of course, was about being thankful. One of the references was a talk by President Monson in the October 2010 conference, The Devine Gift of Gratitude. The other reference was Luke 17 and the story of the ten lepers. I thought about what to say all week. The main ideas finally came on Saturday, while I was jogging on the treadmill in our basement. The word “distance” was front and center.
You may remember the story. There were ten lepers who approached Jesus and from a distance they cried to him asking to be healed. Keeping distance was the traditional requirement for lepers in that part of the world at that time, a reasonable approach to allay fear and spreading disease. They were healed. He told them to go to the priests to follow the Law of Moses and be “cleansed”. There was one, however who approached him giving thanks, even falling at his feet.
Here are the two thoughts. The nine were about doing their traditional life, their routine. Seeking help, they left their tradition in part and approached Jesus in part. Once they received their help they followed his council and returned to their tradition, their routine. The one who gave thanks did not just immediately slip back into a routine, but cried and gave thanks.
How often do we tend to approach God when we need help, but upon finding relief from whatever pains us, fall back into our normal life, even our normal church life? He who returned and gave thanks was told to go his way, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” He did not just blindly follow tradition by keeping distance and seeking ritual cleansing.
The other idea, the distance idea also felt important to me. All ten drew somewhat nearer to Jesus while asking for help. The one got even closer when praising and giving thanks. I would submit that seeking guidance or help from God will bring us to a point close to him. However, thanking God for what he has already given will bring us closer still. As we recognize his hand we are acknowledging what he has already done. When we seek a blessing we are asking for something yet to be done. Both require faith, yet recognizing builds a stronger recognition. I hope that I am able to show more gratitude for things both asked for, and not asked for, but yet are expressions of his love for me.
I hope you had a great Christmas season, wherever you are. Like many, I have been away from family over the holidays in past years as a missionary, in the military, and because of work. I encourage each of us to consider what he has done perhaps you will miss your loved ones a little less, and in the years to come, when we are with them, will be that much sweeter.
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