Gratitude...

I read a story today that really touched me and I want to share it with you.  This story comes from my dear friend Sister Jacob who was a missionary in my LDS recovery group until she left on another mission with her dear husband to the Philippines.  Sister Jacob is an absolute angel and I have been truly blessed to have her in my life.  The following story comes from her recent update letter that she sent home.
We wanted to share one last story of a dear sister named Sinforiana whom we found with the help of another branch member and the Cortes Elders.  We had to walk quite a distance after traveling a mile down a dirt road and parking the car and then ask for directions several times until we came to a small nepa hut surrounded by coconut trees; stacks of chopped wood and some chickens.  Sinforiana came out of the hut with a small child in her arms whom we later found out was her little niece.  The mother, Sinforiana’s sister is unmarried and the two sisters live together on a family plot that includes a brother and his family.  Sinforiana is 41 years old and has never married.  When Elder Jacob took out his binder with the names of the branch members on it and pointed to her name she covered her mouth with her hands and explained with great delight:  “I thought my name was taken off.  I thought I had been forgotten.  I have been praying and praying that someone would come; that someone would remember me.”  We taught her a lesson and at the end she offered the prayer.  She cried throughout the prayer expressing gratitude over and over again to the Lord that He had remembered her and sent the missionaries.  Her sister brought out some jack fruit that she had picked from the tree and cut up for us and generously shared it.  The only money they have is what they get from cutting up wood and selling it for a few pesos.  They have no electricity and when we asked her to read she was unable to read very well because she has such poor vision.  It is a major obstacle to reading the Book of Mormon.  The light is so dim if they do have electricity that it is very difficult for many older people to see the print.  Sometimes they have no lights and must use precious candle light to see the words.  We left humbled and determined to get some glasses for her to be able to read when it is light.  It was a sweet reminder of the Lord’s care over each of His children; that He is mindful of their needs and desires and of what great joy the Gospel brings into the hearts and homes of those whom we would consider “the least of these.” 
This story has left me feeling deep gratitude for the comforts that I take for granted each and every day.  I am also left feeling gratitude for my Father in Heaven and his mindfulness of each of us.  I too once felt as if I'd been forgotten and through many tender mercies I again was found.  

He will find all of us, this He promises us... 


"For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick"

Comments

  1. i love this too. I especially love this because the last few months mr. scabs has been initiating our family prayer and each night before our children go to bed he asks, "what are you grateful for?" we all say what we're grateful for and then say our family prayer and tuck them into bed. Its a simple and beautiful way to end the day.

    i served in the Philippines too. this brought back memories.
    thanks

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    Replies
    1. Oh that's awesome! I'm glad you liked it:-) And especially that it brought back fond memories.

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