Freedom!

 It has been cool and has been raining on and off throughout the day. SK and I went shopping this morning to get a few things for dinner this afternoon with our district. We also went over to the church on St. Thomas where we each filmed a video of less than a minute for Dave and Deb. Their daughter asked each missionary to film something that they learned from them.

Happy to be a part of that, we filmed and I will submit our film in just a few minutes. Elizabeth has a huge task in front of her. There should be well over 300 missionaries who will submit a short video. That could take a while to watch.

It was glorious to be outside again. We walked not quite two miles but that felt good after a week of inactivity. It is so very lovely here.

When we got home, the elders called to ask if SK could possibly give them a ride to a family's home on the outskirts of town. SK happily complied and then stayed with them until they were ready to return. The family ended up feeding them a Brazilian feast, and all happily ate away. 

They got back late for the meeting that they had organized, and SK was complicit. What can I say? He is softening in his almost-old age.

In the meantime, it took me the entire time that they were gone to fix everything for BBQ Chicken Salads. We had eight in attendance, fairly small, but four were young men, so I wanted to have plenty. There was not a single thing that was difficult to fix....it is just a lot of chopping and cutting mostly. Washing six heads of Romaine was time-consuming without any of the great little gadgets I have in Gilbert. I fixed a dessert - chocolate mousse which was easy enough. It all just takes time, and I often find myself asking what I am doing that makes it seems so time-consuming.

We had an excellent meeting with some good training by Elder Reynoldson. He took us through John chapter one in the New Testament, which was outstanding as he taught principles that I hadn't ever picked up on from that chapter. THEN he challenged each of us to memorize "The Living Christ" before the end of July.

We all said we would, but it will be a lot more difficult for me than for the others...my head is stuffed with fluff. But I will give it my best effort. Hah. That is a great pursuit.  Here it is: (Maybe I can work on the first paragraph tonight.

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.