THE GATHERING HEN

I absolutely LOVE this picture we took the other day!

Who doesn't love seeing a mother hen with all of her young chickies gathered 'round her?  That little mommy instinctively has a love for those soft, creamy, yellow babies that is so completely beautiful, as she continually gathers them to safety, ever watchful.

Why would Jesus use this sweet analogy of a mother hen as he talked to the people about their disobedience?  Could it be that a mother's love is the nearest thing we know to Divine Love?  The Divine Love of our Savior, Jesus Christ is the ultimate, perfect love which He has for each and every  one of us.

Matthew 23:37 & 3 Nephi 10:4

Says the Savior "how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and would have nourished you, but ye would not".

The principle of gathering is as old as the human family.  We love to gather as family units, sharing a bond that is strong, because God ordained it to be that way.

The gathering up of the Children of Israel (which is a continuing process) goes hand in hand with Christ's perfect love for us.  He wants to nourish and bless our lives and families......but do we say we "would not" take that nourishment and those blessing because of disobedience?

He wants to save us with an everlasting salvation....but do we say we "would not" be saved?

He opened the Red Sea for the Children of Israel to pass on dry ground, yet, they "would not" obey His commandments.

He fed them manna in the wilderness for years and years, just so they would remember Him each day by partaking of His goodness, yet, they still "would not" be obedient.

He spoke to them in thunderings, lightenings and earthquakes, yet, they "would not".

Are we so different than the Children of Israel of the Old Testament?

Time and time and time again, He has asked us to serve Him.  Do we?

He beckons "Come unto Me".  Do we come?

He forgives over and over and over again, always ready to accept us, if we will put ourselves where we may be accepted by Him.  Prayer gives us His protection and peace.  Come and find protection in the arms of His love.  Let Him gather you unto Him as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.  He will lead you safely home.

As women, we gather our little chicks under our wings with love and tenderness, using a soft voice, for this is how Heavenly Father speaks to His children.

Tyt, Tagg and Lizzy Wright

By adding the 2 simple words "help Me" to the end of the previous scripture in Matthew 23, missionary work among God's children is emphasized.  

"how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and would have nourished you, but ye would not help me".  How many of us are helping God gather His flock?

Yesterday, January 25, 2014, we had the baptism of Kylee Shepherd.  Sisters Cragun and Kime worked diligently to teach God's plan of Happiness to her.  She was baptised by her Uncle Vaughn Smith.  We are so grateful to our Elders and Sisters for heeding the call to gather God's flock.

Elders Smith and Dohrman assisting in the baptism.  

Jubillant Sister Cragun, as she watches her investigator take a big step in life

Likewise, Sister Kime can barely contain her excitement!

Elder Smith with 2 crazy and wild guys, Ryan and Roger

The Sisters with 2 of their recent converts, Ryan and Roger

Our local ecclesiastical leader, President Davidson Stewart.  What a wonderful man!

Sitting on our porch studying the Book of Mormon

Lucky us....we were able to do a musical number for the baptismal service

Practicing

During the week, for Friday Fun Night, the Sisters taught a lesson on our living prophets.  We also played a game to identify the prophets and their words.

I, Sister Smith, was asked to draw another "pathway to baptism", adding an additional step from the previous one drawn last week.  So happy to do it, especially if it aids in the gathering process.

Some of our investigators & recent church members playing games with cups and ping pong balls.  Who knew that those items could be so entertaining?

We had a busy week of service.  It's amazing how great doing service can make one feel.  It's so important to serve one another

Then we took a break and went on a hike to Hog's Island

Even when we are taking a break, the phone rings.  That's why we are here, isn't it?

Elders Larson and Strong signing our shell

The week isn't quite complete without a few fun homes to highlight.  Pretty soon we will have all the homes on the island highlighted, then what?

If you can zoom in on the steps along the side, they are quite entertaining!

Fave!

There is a guy "liming" on his balcony with his feet poking up over the side.  To "lime" is to just lay around.  It happens a lot here....

Another fuzzy pix of Grenadian women in traditional attire.  We think, although no one has told us, that these are church going clothes.

Sunset from the church on Tuesday night before the reading class that we teach.  Isn't it beautiful?