feed my lambs

wonderful thing for Friday, 9 Jan: I've been studying and pondering this injunction from D&C 84:85: "Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man." Also, D&C 100:7: "But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things." The imperative is laid upon us all, whether full-time missionary or not, to share the gospel with our neighbor (D&C 88:81). I find these two scriptures supremely helpful in fulfilling that imperative. Yesterday, it came together so sweetly and simply that I marveled; also, in pondering over it later, I saw how it can be done even better! I went into a store called "Bimbus" to buy a present for our soon-to-be 17th grandchild, the owner came up, asked if she could help, I said I was browsing, and asked her how her day was going. From there, the conversation just flowed, nothing forced, no duty-driven awkward questions or statements. We talked a little bit about the mission, the Church, family, and good works in general, all interests we had in common. They (the lady and her assistant) were left with passalong cards, a description of where the church is and what time we hold meetings, and a beautiful spirit - I know, because I felt it. I planted (well, actually, the missionaries - "on bikes, tall, in dark suits"- planted; maybe I tamped down the dirt), don't know who will water, but God will give the increase (I Cor. 3:6), because what we share is true and feeds a deep, fundamental need. fun thing: after Christmas sales and a fortuitous flight to the States. For Christmas, we just Paypal-ed money or ordered from Amazon; the cost to mail something from here and the cost to buy something here are both exorbitant. However, it's after Christmas, so I got 50% off, and Sorella Gunnerson is going home to Salt Lake soon (Jesse and Rachel live there as well), and has agreed to find a place for this little gift in her already stuffed bags. Sweet!