Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Where Much Is Given, Much is Expected

First off, I'm not one who would consider myself "wealthy". We are not. We make a modest wage, and live by modest means. On the other hand, I do consider myself to be very "blessed". We are not completely "without" and have been given so much by the Lord. We don't go hungry, and seem to always have the ability to pay our bills and provide the necessities to our kids. Well, Alex has a Student in his class who is a member of our same church. He hasn't been an "active" member in a long time. He talks about it with Alex sometimes. One thing I love about my husband is that he is a "natural missionary". He truly cares about others. He would never force his beliefs on anyone, but is always willing to share and encourage people to research it and pray diligently for truth. This Student of his has come into some tough times. His girlfriend is pregnant and just lost her job. He is also out of a job. Alex encouraged him to start going back to church.
So one Sunday they drove to a nearby Chapel. There was hardly any parking. The student said that they were about to decide to go somewhere else when he felt like he needed to go to the building that appeared to be very busy. They mustered up the courage and went in. It was stake conference! HE said that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was speaking. This student was so excited to tell Alex about his experience. HE told Alex that Jeffery R. Holland said there were members in the audience that have been less active and such and said that this is the time to be active and in the church. The student felt like he was talking to him directly. The student said that Jeffrey R. Holland said to the congregation that we are in the last chapter before the second coming. Anyway, the student was very pleased and excited to let Alex know all about it. So he's been going back to church, and of course, times are still pretty tough on him.
Another one of Alex's students let Alex know that this Student and his girlfriend have been eating lunch meat for meals and are completely broke. They have nothing. Alex must have been feeling compelled by the Lord, because he came home and said he wanted to take them some groceries. So Saturday morning we got up and pretty much emptied our pantry and fridge of anything we had that was unopened. We gathered together quite a few sacks of groceries and took them to this Student's apartment. It was tiny. They didn't have alot of space. His pregnant girlfriend was there with this Student's two kids. We unloaded and told her we just wanted to help. She was very grateful, and then we left. Monday at work, the Student told Alex that she called him just after we left and broke into tears. Sunday she spent alot of her day crying. She just couldn't believe that someone would do this for her. I just want you all to know that I feel so blessed. I am so glad we were able to help this family. I wish I could have done more. I am truly grateful for my blessings.

8 comments:

  1. What a great story, it made me cry. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  2. Wow.. talk about goosebumps! I love this.

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  3. Oh I love that story. I have always wanted to do something like that but have never found the right opportunity. That is so awesome.

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  4. Wow, Anna that's so amazing. You're absalutely right....Alex is awesome!

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  5. Thanks for sharing. What a great reminder... to be aware and then to act. What an awesome story.

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  6. You are a great example. Isn't it neat how the little things to us can make a big difference in someone else's life? Thanks for sharing your experience.

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  7. You guys are inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

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