Parable of the Pearl

Our most recent Sunday School lesson was about the parables in Matthew 13, one of my favorite chapters in the New Testament. It gave me the idea to share one of my favorite parables that I heard on my mission, which was first told by Pres. Packer in the April 2000 General Conference. This may be my shortest blog to date, but I think it has a good message regardless:

A merchant man seeking precious jewels found at last the perfect pearl. He had the finest craftsman carve a superb jewel box and line it with blue velvet. He put his pearl of great price on display so others could share his treasure. He watched as people came to see it. Soon he turned away in sorrow. It was the box they admired, not the pearl. Now I ask a question: What could the box and the pearl represent to you?

Gratitude

More and more, I am learning that Thanksgiving should not be the only time of year that I share things I am grateful for. Every day is a blessing all by itself, but sometimes I forget that. For a while now, I've been wanting to post a blog using pictures, and this seems like the best time to do it. Here are some things I am grateful for:

I'm grateful for a Divine Redeemer. Where would I be without Him?

How grateful I am for a poor farmboy who had faith that God answers prayers

I'm grateful for a bridge between heaven and earth

I'm grateful for ordinary, but inspired, men who will guide us in these last days

I'm grateful for parents who know what's right and have the patience to put up with me

I'm grateful for a sister who is more unique than she realizes (in a good way)

I'm grateful for Chinese siblings who generate an unbelievable amount of laughs and energy

I'm grateful to have two sides in a family (and Facebook for helping me find these)

I'm grateful for a friend to take daily walks with

I'm grateful for friends who have been there in good times and in bad, and who I can't possibly find room in here to thank on an individual basis....but you deserve my gratitude nonetheless

I'm grateful for coaches and teammates who pushed me and helped me discover my potential

I'm grateful for that name tag and all that it stood for

I'm grateful for Hamilton, OH, where it all began

I'm grateful for Wilmington, OH, where miracles happened

I'm grateful for Hazard, KY, where my shoes got holes but my testimony grew

I'm grateful for Cincinnati, OH, the city I always wanted to visit, but where I never thought I'd be sharing the gospel. What a perfect place to finish my mission!

I'm grateful for those with whom I testified, taught, and learned from

There's no way I can write about gratitude without mentioning the people I taught and served with, both members and investigators. Know that if I had time, I'd put a picture of each of you up here, but then this blog would REALLY be something. Your sacrifices will never be under-appreciated.

Lastly, I'm grateful that I can go to school at a place where the gospel is strong, a temple is close, and the surrounding mountains are awesome!