What Birthday Gifts!

  

My heart has memorized moments on our Mission...to hold especially close on the days when I long to hold a grandchild's hand and laughter.  Some of these moments are sacred gifts given in the form of tender mercies...I remember the tilt of my grandfather's head from long ago, as he smiled and nodded quietly: 'well done' when I showed him a scripture I had copied down from the book of Joshua.  I Must remember four gifts for the week of my 60th Birthday!  Gifts...just to tuck me in...and I am grateful.  

The gift of refreshment in hearing the words of our Prophet at conference.  The gift of Renewal in celebrating the Easter Miracle.  The gift of Tongues and Testimony. The gift of Family and Friends.

Gift # 1: In a far away land, we gather around and squint at the computer screen in the light of the day  as we grab at every translated word that we strain to hear above the background of cars on cobblestone and the neighbors calling for their children in the heavy air.  What refreshment in familar music and prophetic messages, a homecoming moment.

Gift #2: Yesterday was Easter!  What a wonderful day for a Birthday!  I asked Heavenly Father early if He would help us to know if someone needed us to please guide us.  Across this city, a man named Avelino awakened and decided to go to a church.  He lives by a couple of churches but wandered until he found one.  He sat on a small wall across from the church and waited.  It was 7 a.m. and after some time, he left.  But soon, returned to the same wall and waited some more. 

We got ready for church and turned the corner just before 9 a.m.  I saw a man sitting on the wall across the street from the church.  "We need to invite him to come in with us," I said.  We invited him just as we went inside the gate...but sensing that he needed to be invited again, I turned back to him and he smiled and came in with us.  He sat through all 3 hours of meetings.  We invited him to our casa for lunch.  He told us about his day, his family who live on Praia, and then he told us about waiting on the wall and about his feeling in church... he said that he felt 'something special today'.   So did we.

 Gift #3:  We sat in front on folding chairs waiting to give our talks in Mosteiros.  The man just before me was speaking in Creole. 'Kennedy', nickname for: Jose Vieira de Pina (in the District Presidency), was sitting next to me and began translating for me by whispering Portuguese in my right ear as I was listening to the Creole in my left ear.  Soon I whispered back: "Eu acho eu entendo todo" (I think I understand all).  What Kennedy didn't understand is that by myself, I don't understand Portuguese or Creole...but Heavenly Father knows both!  I know the Gift of Tongues is real.  What a blessing in the moments when we need to understand and share the Gospel with each other. 

#4:  I often think of the scriptures as love-notes from our Heavenly Home, especially when somewhere inside of us we sense a homesickness of sorts.  It's easy at times for our spirits to miss what we have known and loved.  The tiny notes from family and friends who take time to email or leave a sentence or two on our blog are delicious and lift our days.  The influence of those whom we love is profound.  I have been richly blessed throughout my life. 



 When we even try a little bit to open the doors of our hearts...it seems that our Savior blesses us abundantly with gifts.  Oh what gifts.  What unspeakable Gifts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x5HiOp7EMo&feature=player_embedded