This week my wife and I got a thank you card from one of the sisters in our ward. This last week Emily and I had delivered some flowers to a member of the ward. Emily loves to grow flowers; they bring her so much happiness and my wife loves to share some of that happiness with other when she can. She had picked some of these flowers and we delivered them to an individual who could enjoy them also. When we arrived at their home, we found the individual surrounded by family, so we made our conversation brief not wanting to take much of their time away from their family. Later in the week we received the thank you card, thanking us for the flowers and said, “It was a busy time when you came down. But next time, if you come, please try to stay for a few minutes. I appreciate you – more than you know.”
These words penetrated my heart, such a heartfelt declaration of love could not be found in greater words from a sister we have truly love. This examples brings to mind the example of the disciples who after the death of Christ were found on the Road to Emmaus and their met the resurrected Savior although “their eyes were holden that they should not know him.” These disciples were low in their grief as they related to the Savior all that had recently happened in Jerusalem and the grief death of their Master. The Savior than took time to sit and teach them from the scriptures. The disciples than seeing that the Savior might leave them and go on, “constrained him, saying Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, he took bread and bless it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
This last week our bishop asked each of us how we can show better love and kindness, he has asked us to reach out and bless others and minister to them. Brothers and Sisters, there are so many of us who need a friendly smile and a warm heart. I imagine that many of us during this time of physical distancing have forgotten what a hug feels like.
My job keeps a mask on my face throughout the day, I don’t know any other way to make a Pediatrician more scary to a bunch of kids and little ones than to cover their face with a large mask and eye coverings, but this is my new work outfit. However, with that mask on I am still amazed at the smile that I can still bring to the faces of these little ones. Despite the garb, I can get them to look at my eyes and eventual they see the smile that is hidden beneath the mask. Some of them are able to work out that I do not mean any true harm, and am trying to give some reassurance that everything is going to be okay.
Brothers and Sisters, I hope that we can do the same, I hope that we can look for those who need our time and minister to them. I promise that if you let yourself, your heart and those to whom you serve will burn with the love that comes through Christlike service and discipleship. Find ways to let others know that you love them and reassure them that despite the restrictions and current state of the world that their Savior loves them.
I hope that you can see my smile behind my mask,
With love,
Brother Rogers
Zoom Meeting:
There will be a Sunday School Meeting this Sunday at 10:00 am to all those who would like to participate. See email from Brother Rogers for a link to the meeting and the password.
Day of Prayer: per the stake letter:
“The Cache County Council has called for a Day of Prayer for Cache County on Sunday July 19. We encourage you and your families to participate and to unit our faith in prayer for the blessings of God’s healing, peace, and deliverance for our County, Utah and the United States of America.”
Releases:
Kenna Falslev (YW 16-18 President)
Emma Shumway (YW 16-18 First Councilor)
Presley Horman (YW 16-18 Second Councilor)
Cambria Cann (YW 16-18 Secretary)
Jenna Shumway (YW 12-15 President)
Carly Nash (YW 12-15 First Councilor)
Elsie Hansen (YW 12-15 Second Councilor)
Shiloh Burt (YW 12-15 Secretary)
Callings:
Joe Astle has been called as a Priest Quorum Specialist
Annika Harris (YW 16-18 President)
Emery Darley (YW 16-18 First Councilor)
Olivia Lagerholm (YW 16-18 Second Councilor)
Alexa Stevens (YW 16-18 Secretary)
Jaydn Falslev (YW 12-15 President)
Evelyn Larsen (YW 12-15 First Councilor)
Ulyssa Lagerholm (YW 12-15 Second Councilor)
Elsie Hansen (YW 12-15 Secretary)
Congratulations:
We would like to congratulate Zack Grob and Rachel Worthen on their recent marriage on July 8th.