THE "LATE BLOOMERS" OF LIFE

The world seems to place much emphasis on the vitality and importance of youth in just about everything: sports, business, education, and other fields of endeavor while sometimes excluding the value of those individuals who may make their best contribution later in life. Heavenly Father on the other hand has defined the worth and proper sequence of everything in His well-ordered universe in order that all things might fulfill the purpose for which they were created, and His timing is always perfect.

Around many of the buildings in downtown Baltimore, both public and private, there are hedges of rose bushes. These aren’t individual rose bushes like those that are commonly found in people’s yards; and although we aren't certain about the name of this particular variety, amazingly these plants are still producing flowers in late December! Perhaps, the unseasonably warm autumn weather has contributed somewhat to the late blooming; but even so, roses at Christmas are not a common sight in this city.

Rose blooming during December in Baltimore

Last week while entering the University of Maryland Dental School for an appointment, we walked past two men who were pruning one of these rose hedges. They had thrown most of the cuttings into large trash cans, except for three or four stems each with one or two pretty flowers still attached. One of the landscapers told Sister Lindsay to take one of the saved stems, and she chose one that still had a bloom and several leaves on it.

Several hours later having completed the dental appointment and a few other assignments, we retrieved the now wilted flower from the back seat of our automobile and took it into the apartment The petals were drooping and the leaves looked almost dead. Sister Lindsay contemplated tossing it in the trash but then thought about the worker who had carefully preserved it to give to someone like her. Cutting a small piece from the bottom of the stem, she placed the flower into a juice bottle filled with water.

After just a few hours every petal on that drooping flower had perked up, and the bloom looked like a rose again. The leaves no longer looked dead but were now bright green. And then, we noticed a tightly closed bud tucked under the open rose. Within a few days the bud opened and became a beautiful rose just in time for Christmas.

If Heavenly Father can find a way for a rose to become a "late bloomer" when it should already be out of season, can he not also find a way to rejuvenate worn out people whose sins may be as scarlet as a rose? Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the old man can become new again to bloom wherever he is planted for the glory of God.

I DON'T HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT CHRIST . . .

Recently here in Baltimore, Church missionaries went to a house that was brightly illuminated with many outdoor Christmas lights and other decorations. The two young elders knocked at the door, and a woman answered. They said that they wanted to share a brief message about Jesus Christ. Standing in the doorway with a string of holiday lights around her neck, she responded, "I don't have time to talk about Christ; I'm busy getting ready for Christmas!"

Too busy to talk about Christ at Christmastime?

Live Nativity scene at Church activity

How can  there be no room in one's schedule during the Christmas season to talk about the Savior? That seems somehow reminiscent of what happened in the little town of Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago. When Joseph sought refuge for his wife, Mary, who was about to give birth to the Son of God, the innkeeper told them that there was no room in the inn.

 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7)

It has been suggested that when Heavenly Father wants to change things, He sends a child into the world. Such was the case on the night when Jesus was born, and the world has been forever changed! In our society filled with mixed-up priorities, Christmas lights and festive trimmings are indeed a poor substitute for showing appreciation for God's greatest gift of His Only Begotten Son who would give His life and become the Redeemer of the world. He was sent here to save us from our sins that we might inherit eternal life.

Life is filled with many stresses regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can, but we should not let them get in the way of what is most important. And what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Wrote William Shakespeare, "They do not love that do not show their love." The missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are duly ordained ministers who are authorized to preach the principles of the gospel and to administer the ordinances thereof. Finding time to talk about Christ to everyone we meet is a labor of love.

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY

Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911

                                    I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
                                    of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
                                    I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true;
                                    it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. 

                                    I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
                                    than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
                                    I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
                                    and that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

 

                                    I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat
                                    what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
                                    I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
                                    the message of salvation from God's own holy Word. 

We invite everyone to make room in their hearts for the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!

CHRISTMAS TRAIN GARDENS IN BALTIMORE

As a young boy living in Hagerstown, Maryland more than 60 years ago, it was an exciting time when employees of the local gas company set up an amazing Lionel train layout each December, which was fully visible in their first floor showroom windows. Although our family didn't have the financial resources for me to have electric trains of my own, I could certainly pretend that the operating trains and miniature buildings on display behind the window were mine when I stood outside and watched them until my parents said that we had to go.

Train gardens, like the one I admired as a child, have a long history in Maryland. Now that Sister Lindsay and I are serving our Church mission in east Baltimore, I was delightfully surprised to discover than there are many such displays available for the public to enjoy in shopping centers and especially in firehouses. Some local train gardens have been operating here for more than 50 years, and I found a member of the Church who enjoys visiting them as much as I do. We spent several hours visiting three of them this week . . . what a lovely Christmas present!

Dundalk Volunteer Fire Department Train Garden

According to Michael Townsend (Baltimore Family Entertainment Examiner), the train garden tradition in Baltimore originally began with Moravian immigrants that settled in Pennsylvania and Maryland more than 200 years ago. Along with other religious customs, they brought with them the putz (pronounced pootz) garden. The putz was a miniature indoor "garden" that told the story of the Nativity. These would include tiny people, animals, buildings, and landscaping. After the Moravians arrived in Baltimore, however, the local citizens began placing these gardens beneath their Christmas trees!

During the 19th century, Baltimoreans began adding wooden trains to their Christmas gardens.  These were the earliest known “train gardens”.  In the late Victorian era the wooden trains were replaced by motorized ones and were now running around Christmas trees throughout Baltimore. Firehouses also began displaying elaborate train gardens so everyone in the community could experience them.  The holiday gardens were now more than a religious custom; they had evolved into a celebration of the community itself.  Today this proud tradition continues all across Baltimore in homes, firehouses, and local businesses.

The train is coming, the train is coming!

I must admit that my camera and I enjoyed observing the young children who were totally mesmerized by the train gardens almost as much as I did looking at the trains and small villages themselves. When I found my a tear or two welling up in my eyes, I might have been remembering how my father and mother had patiently and lovingly waited while their little boy filled his imagination at the train garden . . . or perhaps  it was just a stray cinder from the passing steam locomotive on the nearby miniature train track?

NOT JUST ORDINARY SHEEP . . .

Because Christmas is traditionally celebrated during December each year, most people assume that the Son of God was born in Bethlehem at this time of the year; however, based upon the Biblical record, it would have been early spring when the Christ child would have come into the world. Late March through early April was lambing season, and shepherds may have been laboring in Bethlehem's hillside field on the night of Jesus' birth, assisting the ewes in the birthing of their lambs.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night

From the Book of Luke, Chapter 2, we read . . .  

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

Have you ever wondered why Heavenly Father would have sent an angel messenger together with a multitude of the heavenly host to these particular shepherds announcing the birth of His Only Begotten Son? The story about the shepherds and these specific sheep is significant, because Jewish law proclaimed that only flocks designated for sacrifice could be raised near cities. It is likely that these were no ordinary animals, but these were the paschal lambs that would be sacrificed during the Feast of the Passover.

To be responsible for the care and safe-keeping of the sheep that must be free from any blemish, deformity, or injury would have been considered to be a sacred and solemn duty. It would be almost inconceivable to believe that the men who were chosen for this special assignment would under any circumstances abandon the flock. But . . .

. . . it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

God will provide the Lamb

We testify that God the Father sent His Only Begotten Son who was the only person to ever live in mortality without sin or blemish to atone for the sins of all mankind. He is the sacrificial Lamb of God who gave His life to become the Savior of the world. If we are willing to accept His atoning sacrifice, He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep.

THE HAPPY DANCE!

As proselyting missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sister Lindsay and I have been called to bring souls to Christ. Even though we have only been here for about three months, we have had the privilege of witnessing a sweet miracle in the life of Cheryl Butler, a formerly less-active member of the Church who has now embraced the fullness of the gospel and in the process found a joy and peace that she admits she had never before known in her life.

In the Old Testament of the Bible, the words found in the Book of Ecclesiastes speak of a time to weep, and a time laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance . . . He hath made every thing beautiful in his time (see Eccl 3:4,11). The enthusiasm that this good sister has exhibited as we have taught her gospel principles has been fueled by her sincere desire to learn the things of God. Sister Butler has manifested her joy by doing what she calls a "happy dance" much to the delight of other Church members who have witnessed it.

Yesterday, we took Sister Butler to the Washington DC Temple for the first time to receive her endowment. A number of other Church members joined us for this joyous occasion. The angels in heaven must have smiled along with us when Cheri Butler treated us once again with her happy dance outside the temple!

Cheryl Butler at the Washington DC Temple

According to the scriptures, the Lord understands this type of happiness and encourages it:

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
                                                                                                            - Psalm 149:3

Sister Butler already sings in the choir, but I guess that we will have to talk with her about learning to play the timbrel and harp.

34TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Washington DC Temple at Christmas

If you want to really feel the true spirit of Christmas, come to the Visitors' Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adjacent to the beautiful Washington DC Temple in Kensington, Maryland, which offers two nightly musical performances in a large auditorium every night in December. It is open to the public free of charge with a wide offering of special Christmas programs representing community organizations as well as Church groups and professional musicians.

Outside of the Visitors' Center, trees and bushes are decorated with 500,000 miniature lights and there is a life-sized nativity scene depicting the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Inside, there is a large room filled with a unique collection of nativities that have been gathered from around the world. Sixteen Christmas trees individually decorated by the member stakes from Maryland and Virginia that are a part of the temple district are positioned throughout the building.

Decorated tree featuring paintings associated with Christ's birth

Sister Lindsay and I had an opportunity to be at the Monday night program on December 12th featuring Jenny Oaks Baker, a renown concert violinist, her three daughters (ages 10, 8, and 6) who are themselves accomplished musicians on the violin, piano, and cello respectively. Ron Warren, a native American who masterfully plays the distinctive wood flute, was also a featured artist. Hundreds of appreciative people, including entire families with lots of children enjoyed the wonderful sounds of Christmas music. It was nice to be in the presence of so many people who were enjoying the moment and obviously having a good time.

And unlike the typical experiences that we have been having as missionaries interacting with individuals in the stores and on the street, the people who attended the concert were actually smiling and wishing each other a Merry Christmas!

MIRACLE ON 34th STREET - THE SEQUEL?

Classic Christmas Movie Playbill

If you mention "Miracle on 34th Street" this time of the year, most people think about the 1947 Christmas movie about the New York City Macy's Department Store Santa Claus (Edmund Gwenn as the real Kris Kringle) and  Susan (10 year old Natalie Wood) who wanted to believe in him in spite her mother's (Maureen O'Hara) insistence that there is no such thing as Santa Claus.

But if you ask the folks who live in Baltimore about the Miracle on 34th Street, it is an amazing display of holiday lights, lots of lights, that cover virtually every row house and yard in the 700 block of of 34th Street in Baltimore's Hampden community. The annual display, which takes place between November and early January, started 64 years ago (the same year that the movie was first shown in theaters).

Hubcap Christmas Tree

This is a major tourist attraction for visitors, as many as 1,000 on a single evening, who come from near and far to see everything from unusual Christmas trees made from hubcaps or old vinyl records, animated figures, Walt Disney cartoon characters, tributes to the Baltimore Ravens professional football team, Hanukkah menorahs, trains, a metal robot nativity, plastic flamingos, and anything else that someone might consider to be symbolic of the holiday season. And did I mention the lights? There are thousands of lights everywhere in the yards, on the houses, and even strung across the street from one rooftop to another!

Even humane societies are represented

Activist organizations, like humane societies, are included as well with two adjacent houses displaying large posters featuring photographs of cats and dogs that are available for adoption just in time for the holidays. In the "spirit" of unity and helpfulness, neighbors in some cases have assisted those who have trouble affording energy costs by pulling extension cords into their own homes.

Undeniably a long-standing holiday tradition in this city, this event is in a class all by itself when it comes to the commercialization of Christmas; but this Miracle on 34th Street in no way encourages individuals to reflect upon the humble birth of the Son of God in a dimly lit stable more than 2,000 years ago.

In the "Miracle on 34th Street" movie, Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), tells her daughter, "Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to." Compare this worldly definition of faith with the Word of God as offered in both the Bible and The Book of Mormon:

And now as I said concerning faith - faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. (Alma 32:21)

I testify that JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD; and if every Christmas light ever made by man would be illuminated simultaneously, they couldn't hold a candle next to the Savior and Redeemer of mankind! 

DOES SHE LOVE ME?

The Annapolis, Baltimore, and Columbia Zones of the Maryland Baltimore Mission (about 70 missionaries) participated  in the Christmas Conference at Columbia yesterday.The program lasted from 10 am until 4:30 pm and included formal training provided by President and Sister Belliston, a wonderful luncheon prepared by the Relief Society of the Columbia First Ward, the viewing of a new Church video about the birth of Jesus Christ based upon New Testament Bible scriptures, and a testimony meeting. The final hour involved missionaries sharing their special gifts in an informal talent show featuring music, special readings, magic shows, group gymnastics, and original poetry.

Sister Lindsay was responsible for having me read two of my poems that were actually written twenty-nine years ago. Does She Love Me? is printed below and was first shared in a Church Relief Society program in Frederick when we lived in Maryland back in the 1980s. For this occasion, I recruited four young missionaries who sat on the edge of the stage, each holding a single daisy in his hand. As I read the words of the poem, each elder in turn dramatically pulled all the petals off his flower. Then I gathered the four stems and gave them to my wife.

From inside my coat jacket, I removed a 5th daisy with all its petals intact and presented it to her.

Bouquet of daisies (before)

Does She Love Me?

                         I picked some daises for my girl and walked them to her home.

                         But on the way I had vain thoughts; you know how minds can roam?

                         I twirled the daises in my hand, wondering if I might

                         Determine if my girl loved me by pulling petals right?

                         Now she loves me, she loves me not, the petals fall away.

                         As one by one I pull them out on this warm summer's day.

                         One daisy done, and I don't know if my girl loves me true.

                         Perhaps, I need to try again on daisy number two?

                         Two daisies gone. Can I be sure my sweetheart does love me?

                         I think it best to test once more on daisy number three.

                         The answer isn't yet quite clear if she loves me or not?

                         I really want to know right now. To me, it means a lot.

                         I walk along half crazed with fear the answer I must know.

                         Does she love me or love me not? One more flower to go.

                         Now she loves me; I know she does! I wonder what she'll say?

                         When I hand her this pile of stems that once was her bouquet?

                        

                                                                         - NormLindsay

                                                                                     September 9, 1982

Bouquet of daisy stems (after)

A CANDLELIGHT REMINDER

On September 17, 1862, Union and Confederate forces clashed for more than twelve hours around the small village of Sharpsburg, Maryland along the Antietam Creek in what became the bloodiest single day in American military history. Every casualty was an American!

The senior missionaries of The Maryland Baltimore Mission traveled to Sharpsburg, Maryland last Saturday, to witness the 23rd Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination, an event that draws thousands of visitors each year on the first Saturday in December. In the late afternoon, we first went to the National Cemetery, which is located on the north edge of the town, where row upon row of white marble stones mark the final resting place for thousands of soldiers who died in this Civil War battle.

Antietam National Cemetery

Exiting the cemetery about 4:30, the shadows of evening were already beginning to gather and silently spread across the battlefield. We traveled the short distance to where a line of automobiles was already forming for the illumination event, which wasn't scheduled to start for another hour and a half. We found our place in line  just east of Antietam Creek seven-tenths of a mile behind the lead car. Within 15 minutes of our arrival, the line of vehicles had quickly extended behind us until we could no longer see the last car beyond the next curve in the road about a quarter of a mile away.

A few minutes past six o'clock the long procession began to inch along the road in the dark through the military park. In every direction across the fields of battle, there were lighted candles in weighted brown paper sacks. Each of the 23,110 luminaries encountered along the driving tour represented a Union or Confederate solder killed, wounded, or missing during that fateful day nearly a century and a half ago.

Luminaries at Antietam Battlefield

(photo by Bob Carney)

It was an impressive yet solemn occasion as we and thousands of other people passed slowly through five miles of the Antietam Battlefield after dark under a star lit sky with a half moon overhead. If you have never been there yourself, it is difficult to describe what our eyes actually saw and the feelings that stirred within us as we passed over this hallowed ground. For me, personally, it didn't seem as if I was looking at candlelit bags in neat rows across the fields. Instead, I was "seeing" thousands of brave individuals who had given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives, so we and other generations of Americans could enjoy the freedoms of today. And for each soldier who was a casualty here, there were fathers, mothers, siblings, wives, and children who suffered the loss of their loved ones as a result of this terrible conflict.

Each succeeding generation must learn for itself that freedom is not free. 

ALL THAT WE HAVE IS THINE ALONE . . .

It is typical in today's society for men and women to judge their own relative worth based upon how much of the world's goods that they possess, including money, in comparison to their fellow beings. To be "poor" is often perceived as having less "wealth" than others.

As the Lord's servants, we invite people to gain a greater understanding of what Heavenly Father expects of us regarding material things in this life. While sharing the message of the fullness of the Gospel with others, we teach them the principle of tithing, which is God's commandment that we pay one-tenth of our increase back to him through our tithes and offerings to the Church. Sadly, we have had the experience of witnessing individuals who try to balance their desire to embrace the spiritual aspects of the gospel while rejecting the temporal requirement to pay tithing, which they say they cannot afford because of their particular financial circumstances (see Malachi 3:8-9). 

First and foremost, it is essential to know that tithing really doesn't have anything to do with money. Everything associated with the creation already belongs to God and that which we give and what we keep are all to be gratefully used in God's service. In the Book of Psalms, we read that the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein (Psalm 24:1). If the truth be known, Heavenly Father doesn't need "our" money; it already belongs to Him. We came into this world without a dime to call our own; and when we die, we won't be able to take any material wealth with us either!

                                                         We give Thee but Thine own,
                                                         Whate'er the gift may be:
                                                        All that we have is Thine alone,
                                                        A trust, O Lord, from Thee.

                                                        May we Thy bounties thus
                                                        As stewards true receive,
                                                        And gladly, as Thou blessest us,
                                                       To Thee our first-fruits give.

                                                                              - William W. How (1858)

Robert D. Hales, an Apostle of the Lord in these latter-days has taught that tithing is a test of faith with eternal blessings. In the Old Testament, Abraham proved his faith by paying tithing to the great high priest Melchizedek. Abraham's grandson Jacob vowed to the Lord, "Of all thou shalt give me I will surely give tenth unto thee." Tithing has been established in these latter days as an essential law for members of the Lord's restored Church. It is one of the basic ways we witness our faith in Him and our obedience to His laws and commandments.

                                        

So what happens when we willingly give back one-tenth of our increase with the payment of our tithing in order to help build the Kingdom of God on the earth? The answer is given by Old Testament Prophet Malachi; and again, please note that the promised blessings don't necessarily have anything to do with money:

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

                                                                                                              - Malachi 3:10

Any blessing we receive from Heavenly Father is predicated upon our obedience to His commandments. The real question is whether we love God more than we love ourselves? Living the Law of Tithing helps to pull us away from the shallowness and materialistic greed of the world and into a closer spiritual relationship with God. Being less concerned with what our fellowmen think about us and more focused on what God thinks about us will have eternal consequences! Never forget that Heavenly Father always keeps His promises, but we must do our part first.

THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN HAVE OPENED

We have been told that being on the Lord's errand away from our loved ones will require missing some special family events. Still, there are special blessings provided by our kind and loving Heavenly Father that compensate for all such sacrifices made. Such has been the case for Elder and Sister Lindsay in the season of our missionary service. 

The windows of heaven opened this afternoon and bestowed upon our family a new and wonderful blessing. Hazel Britt Lindsay, the newborn daughter of our son Adam and his wife Leighanna Lindsay, arrived safely from the presence of God on this the Lord's Sabbath .

  Hazel Britt Lindsay

Our 19th grandchild was born in our hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina at 12:15 pm today and weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds and 10 ounces. The little girl is 21 inches long and has dark hair and eyebrows. Mother and baby are both doing well. The contractions began on Thanksgiving Day; however, Hazel seemed reluctant to come into the world until she decided that she was good and ready to do so.

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.
                                       - Carl Sandburg

Sister Lindsay and I are now the grandparents of eleven grandsons and eight granddaughters. Our posterity may not yet be as numerous as the sands of the sea or the stars in the heavens, but our cup of happiness is filled to overflowing with gratitude. Your prayers in behalf of our extended family are sincerely appreciated. 

THE SALVATION ARMY FEEDS THE HOMELESS

Because this was our first Thanksgiving away from home while serving our mission for the Church, we already knew that it would be a different experience from the normal holiday when we are typically surrounded by most of our children and grandchildren plus other individuals and families who have no place else to go for dinner. It's not unusual to have 35 to 45 people in attendance at our Thanksgiving gatherings. The show in Greensboro went on without us as we expected and wanted it to do, but it's been reported that there were only 28 people present!

Volunteers assemble Thanksgiving meals for the homeless

In order to make our Thanksgiving a more meaningful experience, we joined with our Maryland Baltimore Mission president, Brent Belliston and his wife, and a small number of other senior missionaries providing community service in the inner city. It was our privilege to be part of a team of approximately 50 volunteers assisting The Salvation Army feeding the homeless and destitute in downtown Baltimore Thanksgiving morning. The need is so great among the poor, and we were grateful for the opportunity to be of some help in this effort.

I took my camera to this service activity intending to shoot 15 to 20 pictures; but just as I was ready to put my equipment away and join the food assembly line, a representative from The Salvation Army requested that I continue to take pictures until the packaging of the meals was finished. As a result, I continued with my photography and eventually even took a picture of all of the volunteers gathered together as a group. After I have finished editing the images in a few days, I will put everything on a DVD and make it available to The Salvation Army for their use.

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without cranberries

Our dedicated little group of 50 volunteers assembled a total of 397 turkey dinners including pumpkin pie plus hundreds of sack lunches to feed these same people on the day after Thanksgiving. All of the meals were then loaded onto a truck at 11:00 am for delivery at various Salvation Army locations around the city.

Not having been invited to any Church member's home for dinner, Sister Lindsay and I were technically "homeless" ourselves for Thanksgiving; but we were rescued by the mission president and his wife who invited us to eat with them and their family at the mission home.

GOD OUR MAKER DOTH PROVIDE

Since the early days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1830s, Bishop's Storehouses have been a part of the Church. The Baltimore Bishop's Storehouse serves much of the State of Maryland plus several small areas of southern Pennsylvania. You could best describe this facility as a market without a cash register. The people who shop here are in need of food; for example, someone may be unemployed and have no money coming in to buy the basic necessities of life. Although this program is mainly for Church members, it is possible for a non-member to obtain help from a Bishop's Storehouse, if the Bishop deems this appropriate.

Shelves are stocked by volunteers to serve those in need

Much of the food distributed at the Bishop's Storehouse is grown on Church-owned farms. As an example, the Church grows apples on their farms in Ohio and Washington State. The Church currently owns 64 welfare farms and sends the food to 18 Church-owned food processing centers and 105 canneries before transporting the finished products to the local Bishop's Storehouses. The Bishop's Storehouses are financed by members of the Church who are asked to fast for two meals on the first Sunday of each month. The amount of money that would be spent for those two meals is contributed to the Church as Fast Offerings.

The two busiest weeks of the year for Bishop's Storehouses are just before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Elder Lindsay volunteered to help fill orders and stock shelves this past Saturday. There was a steady stream of customers from 9:00 am until shortly after 12 noon together with a wonderful group of volunteers to assist them as well. Among the items distributed to needy families were 93 frozen turkeys plus all the other food and trimmings one would expect to enjoy at a good Thanksgiving dinner.

These youth from Hanover, PA were great helpers

A group of teenage Church members from Hanover, Pennsylvania cheerfully assisted the customers who were filling their food orders. Because of their service, many families will now have a happy Thanksgiving; and these young people themselves will undoubtedly enjoy their own Thanksgiving more by having obtained a different perspective about the importance of caring for the needs of the poor. For their part, those individuals and families who are assisted by the Bishop's Storehouse in turn provide volunteer service to the Church, because it is important for them to maintain their self-respect while learning that they are being given a hand up not a hand out.

Come, Ye Thankful People

                          Come, ye thankful people, come; raise the song of harvest home

                          All is safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin.

                          God, our Maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied.

                          Come to God's own temple, come; raise the song of harvest home.

                          All the world is God's own field, fruit unto his praise to yield,

                          Wheat and tares together sown, unto joy or sorrow grown.

                          First the blade, and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear.

                          Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

                                                                                                 -  Henry Alford

EACH OF US IS A MASTERPIECE IN PROGRESS

Having been told in advance by the adult leaders that there would be as many as twelve young women who would participate in the annual Young Women in Excellence program at Church but likely without much parental support, Sister Lindsay and I decided to be there for them to offer words of encouragement and a smile. Indeed, there were eleven girls present, but only half of them had one or both parents in attendance that night.

 

A "vessel" sculpted by one of the young women

The program theme entitled "Masterpiece" was beautifully presented and addressed the great truth that within each of God's children there is a masterpiece in progress. The scriptures tell us that every person ever born on earth has one or more special gifts and talents. Some of these unique attributes are perhaps initially more visible such as musical or artistic abilities; but during the teenage years as our personalities begin to develop and we become more mature and experienced with life, more of our divine nature begins to emerge.

Seated at two long tables with some raw pottery clay in front of each position, the young women were asked to create a "vessel" (something that could be used to hold water), and they were given just two minutes to do the task. Obviously, there wasn't enough time for the girls to complete their masterpieces, but they were able to at least fashion the basic shape of what they wanted for the finished product. The young women's president wisely counseled, "God is the potter, and you are the clay. As teenagers, He is not yet finished with you, but you are a masterpiece in progress." The clay vessel, she pointed out, is only able to realize its full potential if after it is shaped, it is fired at very hot temperatures in a kiln.

Young women who participated in the program

A short video was shown depicting Christ molding clay on a potter's wheel. Afterwards, a mother from another LDS congregation spoke to the young women about the furnace of affliction that sometimes comes into our lives unexpectedly and unwanted. "At age 34," she said, "I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was faced with a decision as to whether I would choose to be angry with Heavenly Father or accept this trial with faith. I chose the latter and have moved forward with my life after undergoing surgery and treatments."

This was a sincere and courageous woman who wanted these young Church members to better understand that while God is finishing His masterpiece in each of us, there is a role that faith must play in our lives when trouble and pain comes our way. Not all the real heroes or heroines in this world are recognized or acknowledged publicly, but they are still valiant foot soldiers in serving the Lord 's purposes.

BALTIMORE STAKE DAY OF SERVICE

Mormon Helping Hands is a program directed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to provide community service and disaster relief to those in need. Members of the Church and their friends help people whose lives have been affected by natural disasters and other emergencies. These volunteers in their trademark yellow shirts also partner with government and nonprofit organizations to support and improve the communities where they live.

The Baltimore Stake of the Church recently sent 300 volunteers to Havre de Grace, Maryland, to provide "Helping Hands" service for this community of 13,000 people. The objective was to clear storm debris, paint a gazebo, clean and paint the tops of more than 800 fence posts along the promenade, wash all of the lamp post lights and park benches, plus weed flower beds at Tydings Park.

A blind volunteer teams with a friend to collect trash

Tydings Park and Promenade features 8 acres overlooking the mouth of the Susquehanna River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. The Concord Point Lighthouse located at the north end of the park was built in 1827 and is the oldest lighthouse in the United States still in continuous service. The promenade, which is a beautiful wooden and brick walkway at the waters edge, together with a large gazebo had been repaired following some severe weather but still needed some cleanup and painting before winter.

All you need is a paintbrush and a smile!

Volunteers came to the service project in all shapes and sizes: young children, teenagers, entire families, young adults, and the elderly; and of course, we were there with other missionaries. At the conclusion of this activity, the mayor of Havre de Grace presented a proclamation to the Church leaders expressing gratitude from the community for the service provided. 

BUBBLE GUM AND COTTON CANDY

Today as we entered the Relief Society Room at the church for our weekly District Meeting, Elder Smith said to me, “I like what you are wearing. You remind me of bubble gum and cotton candy. I like them.” I thought, “What a sweet compliment from this young Elder.”

The more I thought about what he said, the more I realized that if I reminded others about sweets, perhaps I shouldn’t wear this particular combination of clothing again. We are here to teach others to come unto Christ, who will give them “living water” that they might not thirst again. Bubble gum and cotton candy are a fleeting satisfaction, quickly gone, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ leads to eternal life.

"And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the holy one of Israel, and partake of his salvation, in the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved." (Omni 1:26)

ODDS AND ENDS 3

When the weather turned colder last week (it's 74 today), I was a little concerned because I do not have a winter coat. We've looked at them in the stores, but they are very expensive just to wear in the winter time! Last week at our Specialized Training Meeting with the Annapolis, Baltimore and Columbia Zones, Sister Gibbons from the mission office had several coats she was handing out. I asked her what this was all about, and she explained that sometimes when Elders and Sisters go home to places they don't need coats, they leave them behind for other missionaries to use. She said, "Do you need one?" I replied, "Yes." She picked up the last coat, and I put it on. A perfect fit! "Well, you have one now!" was her response. The Lord truly does bless us!

Our dear Sister B whom we took to the Visitors' Center at the DC Temple last week had an interview with our Bishop on Sunday. He said that once she completed the Temple Preparation Class, he would issue her a Temple Recommend. And, he asked us to provide the instruction so she wouldn't have to wait a couple of months for the next class! We're starting Tuesday. We should have her ready to go to the Temple by the middle of December!! Very exciting for her and for us.

I was very thankful that President Belliston gave us permission to leave the mission to attend my Aunt Elberta's 95th birthday party. She's a remarkable woman! And, it was great to be able to see several of my cousins that I only see every other year or so. My Aunt Lois was there, also. She lost her son, my cousin, Douglas (age 61) on October 25. He had lived in Africa for over 20 years doing missionary work for Jesus Christ. He was a wonderful example to us all! He is now buried in Africa, near Durban, where he loved and was loved very much.

INDIFFERENCE ABOUNDS IN THE WORLD TODAY

We had occasion this past Friday to travel to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to participate in the celebration of Elberta Baker's 95th birthday. This remarkable family matriarch who enjoys using her own iPad is Sister Lindsay's maternal aunt.

In order to reach Lancaster, which is located in the south central part of the state, we traveled through the city of York, where I was born and then made a short side trip to the nearby little town of Mt. Wolf where I spent the first four years of my life before our family moved to Hagerstown, Maryland in 1947 due to my father's work. My paternal grandparents continued to live in this community until they passed away in the 1950s, and I have many happy memories of my visits to see them when I was a boy.

Mt. Wolf today is but a shadow of its once promising past. There were once half a dozen small factories employing many local workers within the town limits; there's but one that remains in operation now. The local merchants, including the store operated by my grandparents, are likewise no longer in business. Not all change can be called progress. Almost 60 years after my grandparents time, there is almost no one around Mt. Wolf who remembers the town and its inhabitants as it was back then. Sadly, as I have spoken with some individuals who live there now, they are not only ignorant of the past but indifferent to it as well.

In our missionary efforts to bring souls to Christ, we are learning that many people have similar feelings about their relationship with God and the atoning sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son who is our Savior and Redeemer. Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has clearly stated that the great sin of this generation is not that men and women are rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ but that they are indifferent to it.

The signs of the times are evident only to those who believe in Christ. We are living in the final days prior to the Second Coming of the Lord whether people choose to be indifferent about it or not. God will not force any person to heaven, but  in this world of turmoil and uncertainty there is an unmistakeable peace among the believers that only the Gospel can bring into your life. If you have faith, you shall not fear . . .

                           Sweet is the peace the gospel brings to seeking minds and true.

                           With light refulgent on its wings it clears the human view.

                           Its laws and precepts are divine and show a Father's care.

                          Transcendent love and mercy shine in each injunction there.

                          Faithless tradition flees its pow'r, and unbelief gives way.

                          The gloomy clouds, which used to low'r, submit to reason's sway.

                                                                                         Mary Ann Morton                       

"LORD, I CAN'T DO THIS!"

I am unaware of anything that could be more difficult in this life for God to require of a man or a woman than to bear the heart-wrenching pain associated with the death of their child. In the normal course of the well-ordered way that we expect things ought to be, little babies grow into young children en route to becoming teenagers who then disappear into adults. But I have learned that life is what happens while we were planning something else. Our way of thinking isn't necessarily God's way of accomplishing His plan and purpose for each of His sons and daughters.

During a specialized missionary training program held this week on November 8-9, 2011, Mission President Brent Belliston quietly shared the devastating personal experience that he and his wife painfully endured some thirty years ago when they lost a two-year-old son to leukemia.

The parents had noticed that little Riley never smiled once for any of his pictures during his first birthday party. Shortly thereafter, the child began crying and this situation continued both day and night. Riley was taken to the pediatrician, but the results of the examination were inconclusive. After visiting the doctor's office, the little boy's crying continued on into the night. About midnight, the pediatrician felt impressed to call the family and ask about Riley's condition. As soon as they told him what was happening, the doctor recommended that they immediately bring Riley directly to the hospital.

After further evaluation, the physician ordered a bone marrow test, a painful experience for anyone but a particularly excruciating situation for a very young child. At her husband's insistence, Sister Belliston went home to be with the other children, while he remained at the hospital. Unable to bear the thought of his son's suffering as they were about to extract the marrow sample with a large needle, Brother Belliston pleaded in prayer, "Lord, I can't do this!"; and then he went out into the hospital corridor leaving his boy with the medical staff as they prepared to perform the procedure.

As he continued to pray, the father received a spiritual impression almost like a voice from Heaven saying, "I, too, had a son; and I also had to experience his suffering." But then the screams of his little boy penetrated the walls of the hospital and fell into the ears of the father. Brother Belliston, his heart full of anguish, promised his son at that moment, "I'll never leave you again." True to his word, when additional bone marrow tests were performed later, Riley's father held him close each time. Riley went through the ups and downs of remission struggling with his sickness for about a year.

Finally, the degenerative effect of the leukemia proved to be too much for the child's body to endure any more. Trusting that life is eternal as promised in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, Brother Belliston gave his son a blessing to die that he might not have to suffer anymore; and Riley quietly passed away in his father's arms.

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment (D&C 121:7)

Being able to willingly accept God's will in our lives and those of our loved ones can only be achieved when we become humble, submissive, and meek. Even the Son of God was required to accept His Father's will at Gethsemane and later upon the cross.