The Friendship-er Sept 2012
Providing in the Lord's Way
When I had just had my third baby we lived in a house that had a magnificent apple tree in the front yard. The apples were plentiful and delicious. This particular fall though, I couldn't look at that apple tree without feeling totally overwhelmed. I just didn't have time to harvest the fruit and make the most of the free food growing in my front yard. It was painful for me to watch each apple drop to the ground as I sat inside the house with three young children who seemed to need me every second of the day.One afternoon Sister Pedersen came to the door. She had a small gift that she had made for the baby. I gratefully accepted it. She asked me how I was doing. I said I was managing just fine. "What an amazing apple tree you have in the front yard," she said. "I know," I said. "I do plan to get out there to gather the apples to make apple sauce one day soon . I am just finding it really hard to find the time." "Do you mind if I take a few home with me," she said. "Of course," I said, "take as many as you want Sister Pedersen."
The next day, Sister Pedersen knocked on the door again. In her arms was a big box of plastic containers full of apple sauce. "What's this?" I asked. "It's apple sauce, for your freezer," she said. I then realized that after I closed the door the day before, Sister Pedersen had gathered all the apples that she could from our tree. She then went home and made apple sauce for me. I got a tear in my eye as I realized that Sister Pedersen had really sensed the anguish I felt over wasting that fruit. Although my dilemma could seem trivial, she had sincere compassion for me.
This sister was a great example to me of what is means to serve with compassion. In reality, we can serve every day of our lives, but without compassion. The Lord requires our service to be compassionate. Our spiritual progress is inseparably bound together with the temporal service we give to others. Our greatest goal should be to feel the compassion that our Savior felt for those he served. It is not our job to judge the importance of other's needs. Our objective is to serve with compassion and love. May this be a great desire within our hearts.
Love Sister Phebe May
Important Dates-
1 Ward Corn Roast
8 Stake Priesthood & Auxiliary Leadership
15 Regional Day of Service (Food Drive)
29 General RS Meeting
30 Fast Sunday
September Lessons:
2 RS Presidency Message
9 George Albert Smith Ch. 17- The Strengthening Power of Faith
16 George Albert Smith Ch. 16- Stay on the Lord's Side of the Line
23 TFOT- President Thomas S. Monson "The Race of Life"-
Page 90 Ensign
30 To be Determined by Bishopric
September Birthdays:
Alisa D. 1
Jessica D. 3
Julie L. 4
Gladys Z. 7
Carol Lee H. 9
Erin L. 14
Edith M. 14
Shirley P. 14
Catherine T. 20
Laura B. 24
Alice N. 24
