A SPECIAL GIFT FROM A MISSIONARY'S FATHER

Custom-made t-shirts for our missionary district

 

A few weeks ago when Sister Lindsay and I invited all of the young missionaries in our district over for lunch at our apartment, Sister Tilley who is assigned to the Jones Falls Ward, arrived at our gathering with her arms full of custom-made t-shirts that she had just received from home. As she distributed them to each of us, Sister Tilley told us that the shirts were designed and printed by her father who does all of the t-shirt screening and embroidery work for the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company. Everyone in the district was surprised and pleased to receive this unexpected gift!

 

Although we cannot use our new shirts while we are out visiting less-active Church members or teaching new investigators about the gospel, we are delighted to have them because they are unique and colorful. We have already found a couple of opportunities to wear them during our occasional informal work gatherings involving other senior missionary couples while we are performing special assignments at the mission home. The other senior missionaries were envious of our special shirts! Sister Tilley did give shirts to the mission president and his wife.

 

When missionaries are out in public places speaking with other people, we are expected to meet certain standards of appearance so we can easily be recognized as authorized representatives of the Lord's Church. First and foremost is the use of the official black name tag with white lettering that properly identifies us:

 

ELDER LINDSAY

 

...............THE CHURCH OF.............

JESUS CHRIST

   LATTER-DAY SAINTS

 

Elders always wear neckties and white shirts with either suit pants or dress slacks, and in colder weather you will see them wearing suits. In large cities like Baltimore where Sister Lindsay and I are serving our mission, young missionary elders rarely use bicycles. Instead, they use public transportation (usually buses), walk, or ride in mission-owned automobiles. Sister missionaries and senior couples almost always use automobilies because it is safer for them to do so. The sisters also have a conservative dress code that includes appropriate length skirts or dresses.

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasizes good personal grooming and proper clothing attire because our leadership never wants the appearance of the missionaries to become a distraction from the message that we offer pertaining to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is likely that we will have more chances to wear our Missionary Hard Work All Day t-shirts after we return home at the end of March 2013!

A FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITION CONTINUES

Photograph of Skype video call over the Internet on Christmas Eve

 

Our son Nathan and his wife Angela gave us a delightful Christmas Eve present tonight when they telephoned and invited us to join them via Skype (Internet video) as their children, Vince and Eliza, set up the nativity scene in the family room of their home in Utah.

 

Many years ago when our own children were very young we established a Christmas Eve family tradition of using Perry Como's wonderful 1959 recording (originally an LP vinyl record that has been remasterd onto a CD) of the First Christmas in the little town of Bethlehem. As Perry Como told the story and sang the appropriate hymns, our sons and daughters would take turns placing Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and all of the other nativity figures and animals in and around the stable. Because we had a large family, each year we would select a different child to be in charge of distributing the figures to their siblings when it was time to add another person or animal to the nativity scene.

 

The rules by which this activity was conducted were simple and well-understood:

• The child in charge would choose who would be selected each time a figure was added
• The person who was selected decided where the piece would be placed in the manger scene
• Everyone was to remain quiet during the presentation

Predictably, we had some very interesting nativity arrangements through the years that included a sheep in the manger with Baby Jesus, a cow or donkey on the roof of the stable, Joseph outside the stable with the shepherds, and the mysterious addition of a small Superman or dinosauer to the other more traditional figures associated with the birth of Christ.

 

There are moments, like Christmas Eve, when full-time missionaries have thoughts about what it means to be away from their families. This our second consecutive Christmas as missionaries away from home was sweetened by the thoughtfulness of our son and daughter who allowed us to be with them and two of our grandchildren for a few special minutes. Afterwards when I thanked Nathan for allowing us to participate, he replied that this Christmas Eve tradition was a good idea that he loved from his childhood that they have chosen to continue within their own family.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THERE WAS A LINE?

Sister Missionary holding sign at Temple Visitors Center

The annual Festival of Lights held on the grounds of the Washington DC Temple in Kensington, Maryland attracts thousands of people during the Christmas season. Trees and bushes are adorned with hundreds of thousands of beautiful lights while inside the Visitors Center auditorium there are free concerts performed twice each night featuring talented musicians from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

A favorite exhibit in the building is a large collection of hand-crafted nativities gathered from around the world. This exhibit is so popular that on a typical night a long line of people forms outside the room waiting for their turn to see the beautiful and unique figurines. To assist with the orderly flow of the crowd, a young missionary is placed at the back of the group holding a sign on a long pole announcing the "End Of Line" location.

While Sister Lindsay and I were at the Visitor Center last night with a less-active member of the Church and another member of the Chesapeake Ward congregation, I spoke briefly with the sister missionary who was assigned to hold that sign. She is a congenial young woman from Italy who is serving an 18-month mission at the DC Temple Visitors Center. In the space of about three minutes, there were two individuals who asked, "What is this line for?" With kindly patience, the missionary softly explained again and again that this was the line for people wanting to see the nativity exhibit in the next room; and if they wanted to see the exhibit they were welcome to step in front of her.

Listening to their inquiry, I couldn't help but ponder a bigger life-changing question regarding what would happen if a line was forming in this world for people who want to go home after this life to the Kingdom of God? Consider for a moment that there would be an angel assigned to stand at the end of such a line holding a similar "End Of Line" sign on a long pole. Would individuals come up to that angel and ask about the destination of the line? And when the angel responded, "This is the line for those people who want to return into the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ," how would those people react?

It isn't enough, however, to just want to get into a line and expect that it will lead you into the presence of Heavenly Father and the Savior without any effort on your part. Listen carfully to the Lord's teaching regarding His Father's Kingdom beyond this life:

And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. (D&C 84:38)

Receiving the Father requires a sincere willingness to learn and obey God's commandments while participating in the sacred ordinances associated with His Plan of Salvation. We must live the truth that we know and testify of Christ in all places, to all people, and under all conditions. The way home to the Kingdom of God is not a line in which we stand but rather it is a straight and narrow path that we must walk with faith in our Lord and Savior. Heavenly Father does not expect us to find our way along this path without His help and the assistance of other disciples of Christ. The scriptures openly tell us "for of him unto whom much is given much is required" (see D&C 82:3).

Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church testifies that we help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young. "And then," President Eyring continues, "we must help rekindle that faith quickly before it dims as they wander off the path."

 

"So you and I can expect a nearly continuous opportunity to help travelers among God’s children. The Savior told us why that would be so when He described the perilous journey home for all of God’s spirit children through the mists which sin and Satan create:

 

“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Foreseeing the needs of His children, a loving Heavenly Father placed directions and rescuers along their way. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to make safe passage possible and visible. He called as His prophet in these times President Thomas S. Monson. Since his youth President Monson has taught not only how to stay on the path but also how to rescue those who have been led away into sorrow."

 

Throughout our lives here on earth, Heavenly Father assigns us to many differnet stations where we might be able to strengthen and lead others to safety. Sometimes it is in our role as a spouse or as a parent, or perhaps when we are teachers or youth leaders. That station might be while we are serving in our capacity as a neighbor, friend, or a co-worker. It can come when adult children show love and support for an aging parent or other elderly people. And certainly, the list of stations includes full time missionaries seeking to bring souls to Christ.

MISSION CHRISTMAS PROGRAM VISITOR

Elder & Sister Lindsay with Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta

 

All of the missionaries in the Maryland Baltimore Mission gathered at the Columbia Stake Center on December 17, 2012 for a transfer meeting, Christmas dinner and special program. The was the first time since we came to the mission 15 months ago that all of us were together in the same place at the same time. While it was a wonderful opportunity for all of the elders and sisters to interact with each other for a few hours, this was also somewhat of a bittersweet experience as we said goodbye to 17 of these young men and women who had just completed their mission assignments and were leaving the next morning to travel to their homes around the world and be reunited with their families in time for Christmas.

As a surprise, Mark Richards, the mission president, arranged to have Dennis Pitta, the 27 year old tight end for the Baltimore Ravens professional football team, come to the dinner with his wife as a special guest. Dennis, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall, is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a member of the Church living in the Eldersburg Ward of the Columbia Stake. Brother and Sister Pitta spoke to the missionaries for a few minutes, and then it was my responsibility to take a photograph of each elder, sister, and senior missionary couple with the football player (that was no small task with more than 150 people lined up for this photo opportunity).

As you look at the photograph, you may be wondering why each of us is wearing a Hawaiian shell lei. One of the departing elders is from the Big Island, and his family sent a whole box of them to the mission office for their son to distribute to everyone at our Christmas get-together. Sister Lindsay and I have now placed ours on the Christmas tree in our apartment.

 

Sadly, we had about a dozen new missionaries scheduled to arrive from Utah in the afternoon in time for this Christmas event but their flight was grounded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania due to heavy fog. The airline put the elders and sisters in a hotel overnight until they could safely travel to Baltimore on Tuesday morning on the first available flight. 

 

Each of the six mission zones provided delightful entertainers for a special talent show, which everyone really enjoyed. We have some "really awesome" (President Richards' favorite superlative phrase) musicians and comedians among the missionary workforce with their incredible energy and enthusiasm, which tends to remind the senior couples of how it used to be for those of us who have somehow grown older.

 

Sister Lindsay and I were happy to see and speak with Brother and Sister Pitta again while we were at the Washington DC Temple on Tuesday morning. Dennis explained that Tuesday is his day off from his work schedule with the Ravens.

SHOWING GRATITUDE FOR GIFTS RECEIVED

We best acknowledge a gift by using it

 

During this Christmas season there will be considerable gift-giving between family members, friends, business associates, and acquaintances. When you receive such a gift from someone else, beyond the verbal expression of appreciation and perhaps a thank you note sent to the giver shortly thereafter, how might you genuinely show your gratitude for that which you have received?

 

If the gift is an item of clothing, you would show how much you like it by wearing the garment. An edible present such as candy, fruit, or cheese might be cheerfully shared when others come to your home. Not all of the gifts that we receive, however, come in boxes with colorful paper wrappings and ribbons. Indeed, some of these less physically tangible but unmistakeably valuable gifts come to us from our loving Father in Heaven.

 

There is an area in southwest Baltimore where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a small congregation identified as the Brooklyn Park Branch. This is a relatively poor neighborhood, but the Church members who worship here have warm hearts and generous spirits. Everyone who walks through the front door of the building is immediately accepted and made to feel welcome.

 

Sister Lindsay and I had been invited by another senior missionary couple assigned to Brooklyn Park to attend  their Christmas dinner and special program this past Saturday evening. Within a few minutes after coming inside, an older female member of the congregation walked up to us, introduced herself, and presented us with a white envelope. The handwritten words on the outside of the envelope simply said, "Merry Christmas" and her name was carefully printed inside on the beautiful card.

 

I watched her go around the room to every family that was present and repeat the same action, which prompted me to ask our missionary friends to tell us something about this woman who obviously wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. This Church member's true story is an amazing example of someone who was given a special gift later in life after years of struggling with drug addiction and other afflictions.

 

In the midst of her personal trials and weaknesses, this woman discovered the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and embraced it with a grateful heart. At the age of 40, she learned how to read and write, and one of her special ways of expressing her thanks to God for the gift of literacy is to write Merry Christmas and sign her name to as many greeting cards as she can share with others she meets along the way, even total strangers.

 

Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church, offers this timely thought,  "In our day the spirit of giving gifts plays a large role in commemorating the Christmas season. I wonder if we might profit by asking ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give to Him or to others at this precious season of the year?"

 

The good woman in Brooklyn Park Branch has learned that all good gifts come from God, and she happily acknowledges the gift that she has received later in life by cheerfully  and freely sharing it with others. God loves a grateful heart!

NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD TOWEL

The blue towel now has found an unexpected new purpose

 

We don't know how or when the old blue towel first found its way into the trunk of our automobile. The towel doesn't match anything that we have at home, but it suddenly appeared there one day some time earlier during our mission. There wasn't much use left in it when it came into our possession. It was a bit ragged around the edges with a a number of unraveling strings of thread indicating its rapidly deteriorating condition, and there was considerable evidence that the previous owner had employed the towel for a painting project or two.

 

Rather than throwing it away, Sister Lindsay decided that we might as well leave it in the trunk. There might be some occasion to use it as a rag should we need to clean up anything that either gets spilled or needs wiping.

 

A few months ago while we were preparing for a baptism at Church we discovered that the person being baptized had forgotten to bring a towel. Sister Lindsay remembered that we still had the blue towel in the trunk. Since it had just recently been washed, she quickly retrieved it. The baptism proceeded as planned without incident. 

A few days ago while the font was being filled with water for another baptism, we learned that the man who was about to join the Church had also forgotten to bring his towel. One of the young missionaries walked up to Sister Lindsay and asked, "Do you still have that blue towel in your car?"

And so, the old towel has found new life and purpose beyond its natural state. It might be said that all of us in our natural state are enemies to God and His righteousness; however, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can and will find new life and purpose that leads to salvation.

"The enabling power of the Atonement," according to Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve, "strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity.

“It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.”

Even though we may be old and frayed around the edges like the blue towel, our lives stained by sins and other shortcomings, still God has a plan for us through the grace of Jesus Christ to make old things new again enabling us to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. We can all be used to further the work of building the Kingdom of God here on earth. The willing become able in the hands of the Master.

HAS ANYONE SEEN THE TOOTH FAIRY?

 

The Tooth Fairy probably isn't coming this time

 

Once upon a time as little children (a long time ago for some of us) we learned some interesting things based upon what we were told by other people. For instance, by word of mouth, our siblings, neighborhood playmates, and even our parents taught us that when we lost a baby tooth we should place t it under our pillow when we went to bed at night. We were told that sometime while we were sound asleep with our head upon the pillow the Tooth Fairy would magically take that little tooth we no longer needed and give us some money for it!

 

As a little boy and a faithful follower of this instruction, I quickly discovered that in my house the going rate for a baby tooth was ten cents. Curiously, my mother who seemed to know everything was never able to explain why the value of a tooth that fell out of the mouth of a little boy or girl varied from a nickel to a dollar in different families. Mother probably didn't realize that my young friends and I discussed these important financial matters from time to time when one of us actually lost a tooth. She also seemed to be at a loss to provide any insight as to what the Tooth Fairy does with all of the baby teeth that have been collected through the years. There must be a huge pile of these things somewhere!

 

I must confess that our own eight children received this same instruction about the Tooth Fairy when they were growing up as well. From the Lindsay Family Children's Storybook, a collection of approximately 150 true stories written about the things our sons and daughters said and did while they were busy growing into adults, there is a documented instance recorded when our daughter Melanie thought that the Tooth Fairy had visited her father.

I left early one morning on a business trip long before dawn and on my way out the door placed my loose change on the bed so my sleeping wife could use it for our children's milk money at school when she awakened.  She pushed the money under my pillow, so the children wouldn't accidentally knock it on the floor. Sometime after I was gone, our young daughter came into the room and climbed into the available empty space in the bed next to her mother. While adjusting the pillow, she discovered the coins and asked her mother, "Did Daddy lose some of his teeth?"

As adults we still sometimes lose a tooth, but somehow it isn't the same as it was when we were innocent children. My dentist has told me for a number of years that I have a particular tooth with an internal crack that will one day cause that tooth to break. Well, that day arrived a few weeks ago. While we are away from home serving our mission for the Church, we can't go home to have my dentist take care of the problem; however, one of the counselors in our bishopric is about to graduate from the University of Maryland Dental School here in Baltimore.

He is going to repair the broken tooth with a crown while being mentored by one of his professors who will supervise the procedure. I'm sure that I will be in good hands and that all will be well. It is a blessing to know that the Lord provides what is needed for His missionaries while they are in His service. The Tooth Fairy, however, probably isn't coming this time.