Stripling Warriors' Mom: Blessings having the missionaries for dinner

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Ye Elders of Israel

Elder Peterson, Palmer, Bergen

Today we had the privilege of inviting the (3) missionaries over for dinner. I signed up in Relief Society on Sunday.

I decided to make Chicken Cordon Bleu. We had plenty of chicken breasts in the freezer and thawed them the day before. We also had most of the ingredients so it went well to make them. The chicken breasts were doubled and were quite filling to the young men. They raved about the menu and enjoyed the "smashers", (mashed potatoes), peas and corn, with green salad. I made peach cobbler from peaches Ron had frozen last summer.

I took their pictures to send them via email to their parents. Three missionaries came to dinner. Two of them had been out only three months, the other one had been out ten. Elder Bergen, from Texas, Elder Peterson from California, and Elder Palmer from Virginia.

I emailed their pics to their mothers. They each responded and were thrilled to get a current photo and see who their companions were they said.

I know what that feels like to get a phone call or letter from someone who happened to meet my missionaries while serving. I was glad they answered and were so thankful for feeding their sons.

Power to Act in God's Name

I believe and know very strongly that, " A man, young or old never stands taller than when he is doing his priesthood duties or responsibilities. Be it station as a Deacon, Teacher, Priest, Elder, High Priest, Home teacher, priesthood holder husband, father, son or grandfather, Bishop, or Prophet of God. He has a mantle about him that emanates and gives him the authority to act in God's name, and uses it in righteousness. It is a blessing to him and his family. To this I know that he raises the bar in doing his duty to God and his fellow man.”

" I stand in awe of the goodness that pervades within that soul who honors and lives up to his priesthood calling with a pure heart. It is evident to me and cannot be hidden. I believe that quality shines in their countenances and His image is radiated in their face's.

Insights by Anna 11.22.09

Touch of The Master's Hand

And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
" It was battered and scarred,
Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

Myra Brooks Welch