Hello family & friends!
I wanted to share with you what I shared with the St. Augustine Ward during
sacrament meeting yesterday, as Sister Dixon and I were assigned to give talks.
This is just my outline but I thought you would all enjoy it!
Share- a part or portion of a larger amount that is divided among a number
of people, or to which a number of people contribute; an instance of posting or
reposting something on a social media website or application
Sharing involves two or more subjects, it isn't an individual ordeal, but
rather one giving to another. As we are focusing on giving this Christmas
season, there is a gift that we can give that doesn't require money, high
standing, prosperity, wealth. It's a gift that's free: sharing our love and
testimonies of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the greatest, most rich
gift that surpasses any other gift with a dollar sign.
"As we share the gift, we follow in the Master's footsteps, who invited all
to hear His message. May we find greater holiness in our own lives and share the
gift with others this Christmas season." -Elder Russell M. Nelson
Alma 13:24 "For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in
our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of
men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory."
What better way to Share the Gift, than to share experiences with sharing
the gift!
Experiences---people that we have found, using 'He is the gift'
-Officer Ken Carver-
One of my favorite experiences with inviting others to view He Is the Gift
was when Sister Dixon and I were walking down Richie St. in the southern most
part of the St. Augustine Ward area, on Friday late afternoon. We saw a police
car up ahead at the end of the street and it looked like the cop was on duty
doing some serious work. As we got up closer, I turned to Sister Dixon and said,
'Are we allowed to share the gospel with cops on duty?' We really didn't know,
so what did we do? We walked right up to that cop and talked to him about what
'He Is the Gift' is all about and invited him to watch it. He asked for the pass
along card since he couldn't watch it right then and there and wrote our names
down. Later that evening when we were driving home, to our surprise Officer Ken
texted us and told us how much he enjoyed the video and that he is going to
share it with others. He said that every person needed to view this video.
Although he did not accept to listen to the message of the Restoration, the
Spirit touched His heart in a way that he will not forget in this Christmas
season.
-Jennifer & Sean family-
Another favorite experience of mine comes from Saturday. We were driving
down SR-16 on our way to a member's home, and while we got in the turning lane,
we saw a cute little mom walking with her three kids on the sidewalk. I was
debating on whether to keep driving on to the destination, but then thought, No!
This is a family. We need to talk to the them. After turning, we pulled off the
side of the road into the grass, got out and ran/walked really fast until we
caught up with this family to share the video with the children. They accepted
to hear more about Restoration this upcoming week.
The best part about all of this is that you can have fun with Sharing the
Gift, whether people accept hearing more or not. People love the Savior and it's
the Spirit of Christmas that's most important that they feel more than anything.
You don't have to talk to complete strangers if you don't feel inspired, but
come up with ways to share the gift in a fun way with your friends.
-have a family home evening-pictures.
-if you're sending out Christmas cards, put a 'He Is the Gift' pass along
card in with the envelope. If you need pass along cards, 'Ask the Missionaries,
they can help you!'
-go Christmas caroling with your family and share the 'He Is the Gift'
video.
Prayerfully ponder ways to #ShareTheGift leading up to Christmas.
"I invite each of us to flood the earth with the messages of righteousness
and truth found in the He Is The Gift initiative...by using the hashtag
#ShareTheGift, we can sweep the earth with timeless--and timely--messages of the
Savior Jesus Christ." -Elder David A. Bednar
#ShareTheGift is the most beautiful transition to inviting others to hear
the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I have never seen so many people more open
to hearing this message than before He Is the Gift was released. Like Alma
said, Angels are preparing the hearts of children to listen to the restored
gospel. People are more turned to their Savior during this time, than any other
time in the year besides the Easter season. Let us share the light that we have
with others, that they may more fully enjoy the Spirit of Christ in Christmas
this season and forever.
I love the Savior so much and His gospel brings me the most exquisite
joy.
Love, Sister McCook
No comments:
Post a Comment