Parable of the Orange Juice, Albuquerque, NM

A lady has invited a dear friend over for breakfast. She pours herself a glass of delicious fresh squeezed orange juice that would make your mouth water smelling the light citrus flavor. She takes a drink of it and is clearly enjoying it. The friend is watching, a little confused. Finally, she asks, "May I have a glass of the orange juice?"

The lady then replies, "Yes of course! I just didn't offer it to you because I was scared you wouldn't like it or that you would be offended that I offered it to you. I know I love it so much but I just didn't know if you would, so I thought I just wouldn't offer it."

Now, how silly is that story? It is just orange juice! clearly someone would not be offended by being offered orange juice - and clearly no one would be afraid of offering orange juice. So why are we with the gospel? We have the most wonderful gift from Heavenly Father - the knowledge of His plan for us - and yet we are not so eager to share it with those around us who need it. We should be bursting at the seams to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of Jesus Christ- to everyone whom we come in contact with!

Two wonderful people in the Volcano Cliffs ward have done just that this past week. Amber, who just got engaged, decided it was high time she invited her boyfriend/fiance to listen to the missionaries and of course, he said yes! So we started teaching him this week! and he is so accepting of all of it! We explained the restoration and he kept saying how much it made sense. And I have to tell you, that was only the second lesson Sister Walker and I had taught together and we really didn't have time to prepare together, but we taught so well together! We were so unified and it was so incredible. I know this companionship is inspired. and I am so excited for the next 5 (hopefully more) weeks together.

Another wonderful person in the ward, a laurel, decided she should invite her friend to partake of the goodness of the gospel and the blessings which she enjoys each and every day. She invited her friend to church and then to meet with us afterward. We did. We taught Aubie the first lesson and she loved it. She is going to be baptized. I know it. Share the orange juice. they are really just waiting for it.

Bobbie is still doing wonderfully! She is not on date for baptism yet though - but we had the most powerful lesson with her this week. After she went to Utah - which she loved- they had discussed when her fam would be ablwe to come down for her baptism and they came up with December or January. That will not do! We talked about baptism and the importance of it and how it is something she does not want to put off. The hot topic was faith- having faith that as we take those steps to show heavenly father we are committed, He will take care of the rest and allow everything to fall into place. Adn then our ward mission leader, who was in atendace at the lesson, said to her how great it would be if she were to be baptized on the 28th of Septemberand then to be able to atend the womens conference that night with her daughter. Little did he know, that was the date sister walker and I had been praying about for her! So we told Bobbie that and I think the spirit really did testify to her that she needs to be baptized sooner than later. We see her this week and we will see how she is feeling about it now. Now we just need to figure out how to get her family down to New Mexico - no mom, I do not think it would be a good idea for you to bring them.

In your sharing the orange juice with those around you - consult Matthew chapter 10. It teaches you all the things you need to do to be a successful missionary. I would love to go into more detail with you - but alas, my time here on the computer has come to an end. Read it - tell me what you have learned.

I love you all! o

Sister STuart