With Blessings Unnumbered

This week my mom called me at work.  I wondered what was the matter?  She said, "I hope I'm not in trouble."  Then she proceeded to tell me that the housing coordinator for the missionaries had just called.  The sister on the phone told her that our committment would be up in December of this year and asked if we want them to find another place for the missionaries to live.  Mom's answer was very quick in comming and told the sister on the phone that the missionaries were welcome to stay in our home for as long as they need a place to stay.  The sister asked, for how long, six more months?  Mom just said, that they could stay for as long as they need us. 

There is no expiration date to our committment to serving the Lord or His missionaries.  I think that mom is afraid that they might take "her boys" away from her.  She has grown to love each one of these fine young men staying in our home.  I jokingly told her that it was my home and she couldn't commit me to such an obligation.  She knew that I was joking and that I love these choice servants of the Lord as much as she does.

The opportunity to house the missionaries brings with it many blessings.  The spirit of the Lord is strong in my home and the motivation for me to be a better person is also a great blessing.  We have made some great friends through all of this. 

Last night Elder K. stopped by to visit.  It was great to talk with him and hear that he is still strong in the gospel.  He finished his full-time service as a missionary in August and now he is going to college.  What is really cool is that he has been called to be the executive secretary to the Bishop in his student ward.  That calling has great responsibility and requires a lot of time away from studies, and yet he is doing better in school than before.  The Lord truly blesses those who serve.

I remember another great blessing which comes from having the elders live in my home.  I was given the very sacred and precious privilege to give a blessing to one of our elders.  (Nothing bad was happening- If you have ever been a full-time missionary you know that sometimes you just need a blessing).  What a wonderful honor it was for me to lay my hands on the head of one of Heavenly Father's chosen servants.  (These guys have the same charge as the members of the quorum of the twelve apostles).  The feeling of love in the room was so strong.  I feel like I was the one receiving the blessing and not the elder.  I thank him for that solemn privilege.

I loved the words of Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Twelve Apostles in his talk to the priesthood last night.  What is really great is that he spoke of the importance of being worthy to serve.  He "got in the face" of the young men of the Aaronic priesthood, and then he told the older men that they are not exempt from the challenge either.  If you are a parent of a young man make sure that he understands the importance of being ready in ALL ways to serve the Lord.  Who knows, maybe one day I will be talking about YOUR son and how he sneaks around the house at 10:00pm to come to the laundry room to get his clothes without waking mom. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true!  You have a testimony, why not share it?  It won't diminish when you share it, instead it will grow, and so will your love for your neighbor.

Please pray for our missionaries.  Mention them by name when you pray to Our Heavenly Father and He will bless them. 

Thanks to all who share their sons and daughters and grandpas and grandmas with the work of the Lord.