Day 7:
Scripture: Matthew 25:35: I was an hungered and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.
Thought/story:
The following experience was posted on a Christian website by a physician in Colorado, USA, who coasted into a gas station after his car had sputtered and died. As he prepared to call a tow truck, he saw a woman, whose old car was parked by a gas pump, slip and fall down.
“I got out to see if she was okay. When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was [a] young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.
“At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient [car] crammed full of stuff with three kids in the back (one in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95. I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying, ‘I don’t want my kids to see me crying.’”
Understanding her situation, the physician took out his credit card, filled up her car with gas, and then bought two big bags of food and some gift certificates for her and her children at a fast-food restaurant next to the gas station.
“She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City [Missouri, USA],” he said. “Her boyfriend [had] left two months ago, and she had not been able to make ends meet. … In desperation [she] had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about five years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there. So she packed up everything she owned in the car.”
The doctor gave her a hug and offered a prayer for her safety on the road. As he walked to his car, the woman asked, “Are you like an angel or something?”
The doctor replied, “Sometimes God uses regular people.”
Then he observed: “It was so incredible to be a part of someone else’s miracle. And of course, … when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I’ll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won’t find anything wrong.
Does the Lord trust us to be an answer to someone else’s prayer? Can He count on us to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost? The more we follow the Spirit’s promptings, the more opportunities the Lord will present to us to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.
Song:
"Lord, I Would Follow Thee" (Hymn, # 220)
"Silent Night" (Hymn, # 204)
Service/Family Activity:
· Prayerfully consider a family in your neighborhood or ward to “Jingle.” Print the You’ve been jingled flyer. Leave the flyer, cookies or a treat at the door of a neighbor, friend or stranger!
· Select a child from the “angel tree” (usually located in walmart) and provide them with Christmas gifts. As a family, go to walmart, dollar general, etc and select the gifts together. Take time to discuss the blessings you have as a family.
Day 8:
Thought/story:
Marc and Sister Dunkley
By Terri Ann Petersen
It shall be given you by the comforter what you shall do (D&C 31:11)
It was a bright summer day. Everyone in Marc’s family was busy working outside. David was mowing the lawn. Dad was fixing the car. Mom was weeding the garden. Marc started to feel a little lonely. Hmmm,he thought, I will go visit Sister Dunkley.
Sister Dunkley lived just up the street. Marc liked her. She had beautiful white hair. She made delicious cookies. Her house always felt warm and happy. Mom said that he could visit her, so he skipped all the way there.
Marc knocked on Sister Dunkley’s door. No one answered. He knocked again. Slowly the door opened. There was Sister Dunkley. She looked a little tired. Her beautiful white hair was a little messy. She was still in her pajamas.
Sister Dunkley smiled a tired smile. “Why hello, Marc. Would you like to come in?”
“Yes, thank you.” He sat down on the couch. Sister Dunkley sat down on a chair.
“I don’t have any cookies today, Marc,” she said.
“That’s all right, Sister Dunkley. I just came for a little visit. Everyone is busy at my house.”
Marc looked around at Sister Dunkley’s house. Something did not feel right. From the couch he could see her bed. It was not made. He could see her kitchen, too. The dishes were not washed. He looked at Sister Dunkley. Why was she still wearing her pajamas?
Marc got down off the couch. “I need to go home.”
“That was a short visit.” Sister Dunkley looked puzzled.
“I need to tell my mom something.” He walked out the door, then ran down the street. He ran all the way to his own backyard. “Mom! Mom!” Marc grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the house.
“My goodness, Marc, what is the matter?”
“It’s Sister Dunkley! We need to make one of those Relief Society dinners for her. She’s sick, and we need to help her.”
“How do you know she’s sick?”
“When I visited her, I sat on her couch. I could see into her bedroom. Her bed was not made. I could see into her kitchen. Her dishes were not done. She still had her pajamas on, and her beautiful white hair was a little messy. Now, Mom,” Marc said, his hands on his hips, “when you are sick, you don’t make your bed. You don’t do the dishes. You wear your pajamas, and your hair is a little messy. So I know Sister Dunkley is sick.” Marc pulled his mom’s hand again. “Come on—let’s go make one of those Relief Society dinners.”
A smile slowly crossed Mom’s face. “Marc, let’s you and I go back to see your sweet friend, Sister Dunkley.”
Marc and Mom went to Sister Dunkley’s house. Mom knocked on the door. When no one answered, Mom slowly opened the door. “Sister Dunkley!” she called.
Marc ran across the living room to Sister Dunkley’s bedroom. “Look, Mom! She’s lying on her bed!”
Sister Dunkley tried to get up, but she couldn’t. She was too sick. Mom sat on her bed and quietly talked to her. Next Mom made a telephone call. Soon Sister Dunkley’s son came into the house. He looked worried. He thanked Mom for helping his mother.
“Don’t thank me,” Mom laughed. “Thank my little detective, Marc. He had the sense to know something was wrong.”
On the way home, Mom held Marc’s hand. “I am very proud of you, Marc. Thank you for coming and telling me Sister Dunkley was sick. When you felt uncomfortable, that was Heavenly Father telling you something. That feeling came from the Holy Ghost. He was telling you to pay attention, that something was not right. Since you listened to that feeling and came and told me, we were able to help Sister Dunkley. Those feelings can help us be safe and guide us in what we need to do. They tell us that Heavenly Father loves us. I am happy you came and told me what you were feeling. Today, Marc, you listened to the Holy Ghost. Come on! I’ll race you home so we can make one of those Relief Society dinners.”
Song:
"Because I Have Been Given Much" (Hymn, #219) (No link available due to copyright)
Service/Family Activity:
· Random acts of Kindness
o Put up lights for someone
o Make hot chocolate for someone
o Shovel snow for a neighbor
o Bring in a trash can for a neighbor
o “Candy Cane Attack” all the cards in a parking lot
o Walk through a store and smile at every person you see
Day 9:
Scripture:
Matthew 6:14: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 5:44: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.
Thought/story:
Anticipating the Need to Forgive
By A. Dean Byrd
Deciding ahead of time to forgive those who hurt us—even intentionally—empowers us to move forward.
We will be on the receiving end of hurtful remarks or actions countless times throughout our lives. Deciding ahead of time to forgive those who intentionally or unintentionally hurt us empowers us to move forward without bitterness or pain.
We are required to “forgive all men” (D&C 64:10). Christ is our example. As He hung on the cross, He prayed for the soldiers who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). As the Savior was ready to forgive even the greatest offenses, we can also prepare ourselves to forgive those who will hurt or offend us.
“A spirit of forgiveness and an attitude of love and compassion toward those who may have wronged us is of the very essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), “Of You It Is Required to Forgive,” Tambuli,Nov. 1991, 2, and Ensign,June 1991, 2
Song:
"Where Can I Turn for Peace?" (Hymn, #129)
"Away in a Manger" (Hymn, #206)
Service/Family Activity:
· Write a letter of forgiveness to someone who has wronged you. You can choose whether or not to mail that letter. But just writing it, letting go of anger and hurt and choosing to forgive will bring you peace!
· Make a goal to see the good in someone who has wronged you.
· Forgive yourself! Use the atonement and forgive yourself for something you have been holding onto. The Savior loves you and is ready to forgive. (If you need to meet with the Bishop, make an appointment. The Savior gave us the atonement because he wants us to use it!!!!!) No one can be perfect, but we can all strive to be better.
· Write thankful letters to those who have touched your lives and hearts for good! This could be to a parent, relative, friend, teacher, etc. While we must remember to forgive, we must also remember to express gratitude to those who lift us up!
Day 10:
Thought/story:
Reaching Out to Those Who Mourn
By LaRene Halling Petersen
On April 15, 1981, Russ, my husband of 11 years, was killed in a car accident on his way home from work. I was left with four small children, ages 10, 7, 3, and 2. Looking back on the days and weeks following the accident, I can almost feel the cold numbness inside me that I felt then. I don’t remember much about those days, but I do remember the love and compassion I received from others. It made those dark days bearable.
We often include in our prayers a plea for the Lord to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (see Mosiah 18:9). But how often do we take the opportunity to be the one who gives the comfort? So many times we feel uncomfortable around someone who is suffering a loss because we don’t know what to say or do. I too have arrived at a viewing or funeral wondering what I would say. However, through my own experience I learned about what someone in mourning needs, as well as what others can do to help.
Visitors When I Needed Them
During the days before and after my husband’s funeral, I had so many people visit, and I truly felt the love of Christ from those who came. But, inevitably, the day came when visitors had to leave, friends had to return home to their own families, and I was alone. When some of the numbness wore off and reality began to sink in, I realized how alone I was. As I knelt by my bed on one occasion, the tears flowing freely, I cried over and over to my Heavenly Father: “Please send someone to me. I can’t be alone tonight.”
Five minutes later a sister in my ward, whom I didn’t know well, knocked on the door. She said she had been thinking about me and decided to drop by. She stayed for about 30 minutes, and as she was leaving a neighbor came over just to see if I was all right. Before this neighbor left, more neighbors, a young couple, stopped by and invited my children and me to go with them for ice cream. By the time we got home, I felt I could face the next day.
These charitable people didn’t feel the need to bring food or a gift when they visited me. They didn’t feel the need to know me well in order to come. Some of my choicest experiences have been these spur-of-the-moment visits, when people knocked on my door unannounced and simply said, “I’ve been thinking about you and just felt I should come.” I don’t suppose these people know how much their visits helped, but I do know the Lord sent them in answer to my prayers.
A Helpful Hand Extended
I found that the little things people did for me meant so much: neighborhood fathers who played soccer and baseball with my sons; the neighbor who took all three of my sons on a fathers and sons’ outing; the many invitations I received to lunch or to go shopping; offers to stay with my children so I could get away for a while; neighbors who tilled and planted my garden; the handshakes and cheery hellos from ward members at church; and the very special friend who said, “Call me anytime, day or night, and I’ll be there.” And she was.
Compassionate Communication
Through my experience I also gained insight into the communication between one who mourns and one who gives comfort. As friend after friend came through the line at Russ’s viewing, too overcome to speak, all we could do was hug each other—no words were necessary. Others I didn’t know as well would simply squeeze my hand or pat my shoulder. If they spoke at all, the simple words “I’m so sorry” were all I needed to know they cared.
Then during the following weeks and even months, I often needed to talk. I found that those who helped the most were those who let me talk instead of talking to me. They didn’t tell me to feel a certain way, or to be grateful for the blessings I had. I was grateful for the many blessings I had received, but I still struggled with many emotions. I felt so much better when someone would say, “I understand that you feel that way, and that’s OK.” This allowed me to open up and experience my emotions in order to effectively deal with them.
I noticed many people were afraid to mention Russ’s name for fear it would remind me of painful things. But because I was already thinking about him most of the time, what a relief it was when people opened the subject and I was free to express my thoughts. The hardest times of all were those when people would avoid talking about Russ, almost acting as though he had never existed. It was so much easier when they would mention his name in a natural way and allow me to take it from there if I wished.
Two weeks after Russ died, I told the Lord I would accept Russ’s death and asked Him to guide me in what He wanted me to do and be. Though I was by myself at times, I was never really alone. I made steps toward dealing with my husband’s death, and Heavenly Father did His part to make sure I had the help I needed when I needed it. I am grateful to those who acted on those words so often used in prayer: “Comfort those who stand in need of comfort.”
Song:
"Have I Done Any Good?" (Hymn, #223)
"Christmas Bells" (Children's Song, #54)
Service/Family Activity:
· Hug someone! Everyone struggles with something. Make a goal to hug someone and tell them you love them.
· If you know of an individual or family that is struggling, invite them over. Let them know you care and give them a chance to talk if they need to.
Day 11:
Thought/story:
Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself
“As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way.” —President Thomas S. Monson
From “Love—the Essence of the Gospel,” Ensign,May 2014, 91–94.
When a lawyer asked Jesus which of the commandments was the greatest, He could have chosen any of the many commandments from the Old Testament, from the law of Moses, or from the Ten Commandments. Instead, He summarized all of the commandments in these two:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
As President Thomas S. Monson taught in general conference 2013, keeping one commandment helps us keep the other: “We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey. Likewise, we cannot fully love our fellowmen if we do not love God, the Father of us all. … We are all spirit children of our Heavenly Father and, as such, are brothers and sisters. As we keep this truth in mind, loving all of God’s children will become easier” (“Love—the Essence of the Gospel,” Ensign,May 2014, 91).
Developing charity—Christlike love for others—will improve our relationships, help us serve willingly, and fit us for eternal life (see Moroni 10:21). Charity is a spiritual gift that we can pray for and live for; it is “bestowed upon all who are true followers of … Jesus Christ" (Moroni 7:48). It is the “more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31) spoken of by the Apostle Paul and includes being kind, patient, humble, meek, hopeful, and generous (see 1 Corinthians 13).
Life is the perfect laboratory to develop charity. The Savior’s teaching called the Golden Rule can guide our actions: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12). All of us are imperfect, yet we all desire to be treated kindly despite our shortcomings.
Consider these teachings from President Monson regarding the many ways we can show love to others:
- “Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love. … Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals."
- “Some of our greatest opportunities to demonstrate our love will be within the walls of our own homes.”
- “When it is necessary for us to reprove another, we afterward show forth an increase of love [see D&C 121:43].”
- “Love is expressed in many recognizable ways: a smile, a wave, a kind comment, a compliment.”
- “Other expressions may be more subtle, such as showing interest in another’s activities, teaching a principle with kindness and patience, visiting one who is ill or homebound.”
Song:
"I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus" (Children's Song, # 78)
Service/Family Activity:
· Go caroling and spread the message of the Savior’s birth through music
· If not done in a previous activity, “Jingle” your neighbors. Prayerfully consider a family in your neighborhood or ward to “Jingle.” Print the You’ve been jingled flyer. Leave the flyer, cookies or a treat at the door of a neighbor, friend or stranger!
· Go caroling at a nursing home or retirement center.
· Help a neighbor or ward member hang Christmas lights.
· Help someone with a home project.
· As a family, serve in a local food bank.
· Compliment someone at work, school or at home.
Day 12:
Scripture: Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven
Thought/story:
Let Your Light Shine
By President Thomas S. Monson
From “Be a Light to the World” (Brigham Young University devotional, Nov. 1, 2011)
Each of us came to earth with the Light of Christ. It is up to us to keep our light burning brightly for others to see and follow. One of the best ways to keep the faith we need is to study the scriptures and to pray.
As you keep the flame of testimony burning brightly, you will become a signal light of righteousness for all to see. The Savior said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Our opportunities to shine are limitless. They surround us each day. As we follow the example of the Savior, we will be a light in the lives of those around us—whether they be our own family members, our friends, or total strangers.
We can be a light to the world. Just as turning on a light switch in a dark room will fill the room with light, being an example of righteousness can help light up an increasingly dark world.
My friends, we can be, as the Apostle Paul said, “an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12). We can always be known as followers of Christ and become “as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).
Song:
"I Believe In Christ" (Hymn, # 134)
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (Hymn, # 209)
Service/Family Activity:
· Write a letter to the Savior expressing your gratitude towards him.
· “My Gift to Jesus” Cut a piece of paper or cardstock into a fun shape (snowflake, candy cane, Christmas tree, et). Write that gift you will try to give your Savior this year (something you will give up, something you will work harder at, etc.) Hang it on the tree as a reminder to yourself. Next year, when you get your ornaments out, look at your “Gift to Jesus ornament” and reflect on how you did! (Remember, the Savior loves you whether you do great at this gift, or whether you can do better! Earth life is a time for growing and learning! If you realize you can do better at your gift, try again next year! He is always waiting with arms open and loves you!)
· Decide how you can be a “light” and record your experiences in your journal.
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