Hope everyone is doing
well and enjoying this wonderful holiday time!
I’m really grateful
for this time of year when everyone is focusing on "the reason for the
season"
We had a good week we
gave some Christmas cards to squirrels, saw some ducks, and got a little snow,
we also got to go to the temple for zone conference it was so nice to be able
to spend time in that peaceful setting.
I’m grateful for the
gospel of Jesus Christ I'm grateful for its simplicity and how much strength it
can give us to deal with anything we are struggling with.
The message is simple
the invitation is too, rely on Him that is the reason for the season, every
season.
Key Principle:
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of
art: everything from Picasso to Raphael. When the Vietnam conflict broke out,
the son went to war and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The
father grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, there was a knock at the door. A young
man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir,
you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He
saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet
struck him in the heart. He died instantly. He often talked about you and your
love for art."
The young man held out the package and said, "I know
this isn't much. I'm not a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted
you to have this." The father opened the package and gazed at a portrait
of his son. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured his son in the
painting. The father hung the portrait over his mantle. When visitors came to
his home, he always drew attention to the portrait of his son before he showed
them any other great works.
When the father died, his paintings were to be auctioned.
Many influential people gathered, excited about the opportunity to purchase
them. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his
gavel and asked for someone to start the bidding. The crowd scoffed and
demanded the Van Goghs and the Rembrandts. But the auctioneer persisted.
"Who will start the bidding? $200? $100?" The crowd again insisted on
seeing the famous paintings. Still the auctioneer solicited, "The son! The
son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally a voice said, "I'll give $10 for the
painting." The longtime gardener of the father was poor and couldn't
afford anything more. While the auctioneer continued to pursue a higher bid,
the crowd became angry. The auctioneer pounded the gavel and sold the painting
for $10 to the gardener.
An eager buyer from the second row bellowed, "Finally,
on with the auction." But the auctioneer explained, "I'm sorry, the
auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a
secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation
until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever
bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything."
Love you all have a very
merry Christmas!
XOXO
-Sister Sophie Brooks
19 Ackley Place
#2
Jamaica Plain MA 02130
