The Pearl

 

I watched a devotional this week by Elder Gong. In it, he told a parable that has taught me a lot-- the parable of the pearl and the box. The story is, a merchant travelled so far and came back with a perfect, beautiful pearl. He wanted everyone to see it, so he hired someone to make a beautiful box to put it in, and he set it on display. Lots of people came to see, but the merchant was sad. He realized that the people weren't looking at the pearl-- they were focused on the box. 

I've been pondering this parable a lot this week. I don't want to be guilty of paying more attention to the box than the pearl. I want to center my life on what matters most. 

My "box" has been changing a lot this week. It's been wild! Sister Maxfield got all packed up and flew home to Utah on Friday! Aw, I will miss her!!! Now I have Sister Barlow, and she is good. She has a lot to offer and will be just what this area needs. Also, it has been COLD. Right now it is 5°, feels like -8°. And it is snowing so, so much! Everything is canceled and members keep telling us that we have to stay home. People here spoil us-- we are so blessed. Also, we got to feed baby bunnies!

Let me tell you about my pearl! I LOVE Jesus Christ. Let me tell you about some experiences I had with Him this week. 

-Cindy is a spiritual giant! She taught us on Saturday about the restoration of Christ's gospel. Hearing her testimony and seeing how much she has changed and grown is amazing. It almost made me cry seeing her take the sacrament again. Christ loves her so much. 

-I met Carol this week, and it was all God's doing. We had pday on Wednesday and Sister Maxfield wanted her eyebrows waxed, but everything was closed because of the weather. We called this place, and they said they were closed, but then they called us back and said Carol would come in to help us out. We were meant to meet Carol! She really opened up to us and told us about hard things she's going through and that her only strength through it all is from God. Then she gave us her number! We had lunch on Saturday, and we're going to do a Bible study with her on Wednesday. 

-We visited Kari and her family again, and we were able to teach her and her grandma, Linda, about God's plan for them and how Christ can help them get through really hard things. Aw, it felt good. There was a lot of peace there. We explained that Christ makes it possible for families to be together forever. Linda said that that would mean everything to her. 

My brother, Hyrum, is going on a mission to Ghana in June!! I got to have dinner with some sisters who just started their missions, and on Tuesday, we helped with a training meeting for missionaries who have been here for 3 months. With all this, I've thought a lot about how wonderful missions are. They are incredible and life-changing. But it's not the box (where you're at, who you're with, crazy experiences you have), as great as it is, that makes it so wonderful. It's the pearl. It's Jesus Christ and His gospel. 

I love y'all a lot! Have a great week. 

LOVE,

Sister Liberty Johnson