This month I was watching a church video online called Flecks of Gold. In it, Elder M. Russell Ballard tells the story of a man who travels west to seek his fortune in the California Gold Rush. He has heard that there are gold nuggets so big a man can hardly carry them. He goes and pans for days, and finds none of what he thinks he will find. Frustrated he is ready to give up. An old prospector happens along the way. The prospector tells the man he is missing what is there, there are flecks of gold in the rocks. The man thinks the flecks are hardly worth his time. Then the prospector shows him a pouch of thousands of precious tiny flecks of gold. The old prospector says "The patient accumulation of these flecks has brought me great wealth."
I thought of visiting teaching and the great opportunity we have to do small and simple things for each of the precious sisters we have been assigned. A heart felt letter of concern. A phone call of friendship and cheer, a dinner brought in for congratulations or even in times of sorrow, are small flecks of gold, which can make our experience with visiting teaching as the prospector said, one of great wealth. You may feel that the ladies you are assigned to watch over, are quite perfect, and that there is nothing that you could possibly offer to them. You may feel that they are not actively attending church, so they do not wish for a message, or even for a friend. You may feel that you are simply too busy to fit one more thing into your schedule. Please know that the sisters you have been assigned, are beloved daughters of our Heavenly Father. He has chosen you to spend but a small moment each month checking on them, becoming their friend, loving them as He would. Please know that you were assigned together for a special purpose. You have something to give each other, that no one else may be able to give at this particular time in your lives. Know that our Heavenly Father who sees the big picture of all that is to come for each child of His, matched you together. When you wonder what you could possibly give to that sister, just know that He knows, and go and find out for yourself. Elder M Russell Ballard finishes this little video with this "Our small and simple acts of service, over time, will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a sense of peace and joy."
May you feel peace and joy as you become friends with the women you visit this month is my wish for each of you wonderful women!
Love ya-
Crystal Erickson
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