Amazing Love

You know the song Amazing Grace.  Well this isn't about that song.  There is a song And Can It Be where in the chorus it says "Amazing love, how can it be?  That Thou My Lord, would die for me."  This isn't about that song either, at least not really. 

So why did I title this week's blog "Amazing Love?"  I guess because I am kind of weird.  But here is an explanation of why I thought of the phrase amazing love:

Tuesday night I was outside feeding the fish in the pond and as I walked back to the house, I glanced down toward the basement and the blinds were not yet shut.  (Don't worry, the apartment is in the back of the house and the only ones who could see them would be me and the occasional raccoon that gets in the trash).  The elders had just arrived home and I could see them both, next to their desks, on their knees praying.  I couldn't hear the words of the prayer, but I have no doubt that part of that prayer was a blessing on the people who live in this area.  I'm sure they were praying for those they are trying to teach, and those who would be taught, if only someone would invite them to hear the words of these fine missionaries.  Anyway, it brought my mind to the question "Why would two nineteen year old young men (heck they are still boys) leave the fun of youth and school and home and girls and everything else, just to preach the gospel? 

JUST to preach the gospel???  No, I would say it is because of that gospel that they are out here.  Most missionaries today are serving because they can, not because they have to.  They feel the love of our Savior and want to share that love.  That's pretty amazing to me, isn't it to you?

My sisters decorated the apartment before the missionaries moved in a year ago.  One of the things they did was to put up a stencil on the wall of their bedroom that says "A man stands tallest when he starts the day on his knees."  These elders stand pretty tall! 

The progress in our area is slow.  I don't know what happened - just a few months ago there was a baptism almost every week, now they are struggling to find people to teach.  That's rough to take, but Elder U and Elder B2 are not letting it get them discouraged.  They are out there every day making appointments and pleading for referrals.  One day their hard work will pay off.  I'm sure you remember the story of Abinadai in the Book of Mormon.  He didn't do so well with the people he was teaching (understatement).  But he did touch the heart of one person and that was Alma and that one conversion resulted in thousands of people joining the church. 

That's about all for this week.  I wasn't home much so not a lot to report on.  The work continues and the Gospel is true!

I just want to throw out a question for everyone.  Do you love Jesus Christ?  How Much?  Enough to leave your home?
Kenneth Cope sings a song in his album A Prayer Unto Thee called "Because I Have Been Given Much" but he adds a verse:

Because of Thy Life's mission Lord, I too must serve.  I'll leave the comfort of my home to teach Thy Word. I'll seek Thy sheep who've gone astray, and those who've never known the way.  I will make Thy work, my work today.  I shall give love to those in need and show that love by word and deed. Thus, shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

You don't have to leave the comfort of your home, but you do need to leave your comfort zone and open your mouth.  Invite your friends to hear the message that is so important that tens of thousands of latter-day saint young men and women do leave the comfort of their homes to teach.  It's that important.

The Lord does have AMAZING love for all of us.  May we share that with others.
The Lord loves missionaries and missionaries love referrals.  DO IT.
Be amazing this week.
Don't forget to pray for the missionaries.  If you know a missionary who is out serving now, mention them in your prayers by name.  Be specific about the blessings you would have them receive.
Love to all.
Thanks for reading my blog.