Jesus stretched forth His hand

Thoughts on 12 days on quarantine.

What a month this has been! Looking back to February 26th of this year also known as Ash Wednesday, right after I got back from my trip to the U. S. compare to life today is mind-boggling. The word Coronavirus has become a new word in our vocabulary and even our four year old grandchildren are talking about it. The fear that is felt among people today everywhere is overwhelming as the time Peter tried walking on water. 

Picture in your mind the details of the scene described in Matthew 14: 25 -32, imagine how Peter and the other disciples may have felt when they saw an image of someone walking on water and didn't know who it was? They were afraid.

I love the worlds by Elder Uchtdorf when he said: "Certainly our world has always been and will continue to be imperfect. The corruption and wickedness in our day is unique and alarming. Far too many innocent people suffer because of circumstances of nature, illnesses, as well as from man's inhumanity is alarming but in spite of all this, I wouldn't trade living in this time with any other time in the history of the world. We are blessed beyond measure to live in a day of unparalleled prosperty, enlightenment, and advantage of modern medicine. But most of all, we are blessed to have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ which give us a unique perspective on the world's dangers and shows us how to either avoid these dangers or deal with them. When I think of these blessings, I want to fall to my knees and offer praises to our Heavenly Father for His never-ending love for all of His children. 

I don't believe God wants His children to be fearful or dwell on the evils of the world. 'For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.' He has given us an abundance of reasons to rejoice. We just need to find and to recognize them. The Lord often reminds us to "Be not afraid" to "be of good cheer" and to "fear not, little flock." 

These are the moments that we need to remember when Peter cried saying: "Lord, save me "And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him and said unto him, O, thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14: 30-31) This is a great example of how Jesus Christ invites us to set aside our fears and doubts and instead, replace them with faith in Him. 

Con amor,

Vero

Feeding the Five Thousand

Thoughts on our 11 days on quarantine.

Have you ever felt inadequate to meet all the needs you see around you: in your home, in your relationships or in society? Jesus's disciples must have felt inadequate when He asked them to feed over five thousand hungry people (Matthew 14:21) when there were only five loaves of bread and two fishes available.

Each time I have read about that miracle I ponder how God might use our humble offerings of service to bless those around us. The lad who had the bread and the fish is nameless. His name was not mentioned in the story, likewise "many nameless people with gifts equal only to five loaves and two small fishes magnify their callings and serve without attention or recognition, feeding literally thousands. " James E. Faust

We live in a time when people will come to the aid of complete strangers; e.g. Doctors, and nurses working tirelessly at hospitals caring for those who have become ill with this pandemic. Bishops and Relief Society Presidents filling out food orders. Neighbors looking over the elderly around them. The act of kindness by the lad in the story is a reminder that even though no one will ever know his name, Jesus knew because without him, the miracle would have never taken place.



Con amor,
Vero

The Lord's Prayer

Thoughts on our 10 days on quarantine.
Jesus taught us how to pray by giving us a great example as a guideline found on Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever Amen.

But he warned us to not use vain repetitions. President Nelson taught: " The Lord prefaced His prayer by first asking His followers to avoid vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7) and to 'pray after this manner' (Matthew 6:9) Thus, the Lord's prayer serves as a pattern to follow and not as a piece to memorize and recite receptively. A lot of times our prayers become too mechanical and he wants us to come to him in sincere prayer as if we were talking to him face to face. 

We need to pray for everything big and small things. The Lord simply wants us to pray for God's help while we strive constantly to resist evil and live righteously. President Hinckley once said: "There is no power upon the earth like the power of prayer."

Today Daniel and I fasted all day because we both believe in the power of prayer. We didn't eat at all until 10:30 p.m. but we were not the only people fasting, our whole family was fasting, neighbors were fasting, our friends were fasting and even people we don't know around the world of diverse faiths were fasting to plea for God's help during this pandemic. 

I have a testimony that there is power when people everywhere set aside their differences and unite together in prayer for a common purpose as so many around the world did this day. 

Con amor,
Vero

Love Your Enemies

Thoughts on our 9 days on quarantine.

By this point in His ministry, it was clear that Jesus's teachings would be unlike  what the people of His time were used to hearing. The poor will receive the kingdom of God? The meek will inherit the earth? Blessed are the persecuted?

The scribes and the Pharisees were not teaching those things. And yet to those who understood God's law, these doctrines felt right. "An eye for an eye" and "hate thy enemy" were lesser laws, (Matthew 5: 38, 43) given to people who were unwilling to live the higher law design to help us one day become perfect, even as our Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5: 48) "

Part of becoming perfect means loving your enemies which is probably the hardest thing to do for any human.

Con amor,
Vero

Well done good and faithful servant

Thoughts on our 8 days on quarantine.

The parable of the talents found on Matthew 25: 15-30 is one I have ponder about because we all have been given talents we need to develop and at times we are afraid to do it and even hide it so I hope reading my patriarchal blessing can give me a clear knowledge on the things I need to work on.

I hope one day the Lord will say to me: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord."

Con amor,
Vero

Love One Another

Thoughts on 7 days on quarantine.

Interesting that each year when I do my "40 days of lent" in doing something special each day before Easter learning about Christ and His teachings I always find a new insight when I read John 13: 34 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." And John 15:12 " This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you." I can't think of a better way to summarize everything we are been taught by Him. All commandments before culminates into one. This is it! Love one another, it should not be hard to do when you look around. 

For the better part of sixty years, I have traveled to more than 70 countries, many of them dozens of times. I love the people throughout the world. I love the adversity of the color of people's eyes, skin tone from dark to light, range of hair from black to blonde. The incredible variety of their food, language, architecture, sights, smells, customs and costumes too. I believe God is the author of diversity and God wants us to reach out to people around you and abroad at times such as this. 


Con amor,
Vero

"I will Give you Rest"

Thoughts on 6 days on quarantine. 

I love the scripture found on Matthew 11: 28 " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are laden, and I will give you rest."

We all carry burdens. Some resulting from your own doing and mistakes, some caused by the choices of others, and some that are nobody's fault but are simply part of life on earth. Regardless of the reasons for our struggles, Jesus pleads with us to come unto Him so He can help us bear our burdens and find relief.

The world is in turmoil because of the coronavirus and many seemed very anxious and stressed out. It's understandable because it's one of those things totally out of our control but we can always remember that He is there to bear up our burdens. "Take my  yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 29-30 Elder Bednar taught, "making and keeping sacred covenants yokes us to and with the Lord Jesus Christ."

Con amor,
Vero

The Woman with the issue of blood

Thoughts on our 5 days on quarantine.

I love the story found on Mark 5: 25-34 because the woman with the issue of blood was considered unclean and was ostracized from the Jewish society. Nevertheless she reached out to touch His garment. The Savior knew what was in her heart "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

Sister Linda Burton declared: "The New Testament includes accounts of (certain) women, named and unnamed, who exercise faith in Jesus  Christ (and His atonement) , learned and lived His teachings, and testified of His ministry, miracles, and majesty. These women became exemplary disciples and important witnesses in he work of salvation."

Con amor,
Vero

Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda

Thoughts on our forth day on quarantine.

In the City of Jerusalem, there was a pool called Bethesda. Many people gathered around this pool, most of which were very sick. They were wishing to be healed in the water. Jesus Christ came to the pool of Bethesda and saw a man who had been sick for 38 years.

He asked the man if he wanted to be healed. The man said yes. Jesus told the man to rise, walk and be healed. The man was amazed at this miracle and told the jews that Jesus had healed him.

One message I received when reading about the many instances of miraculous healing performed by the Savior is that it also requires faith by the recipient. "Thy faith hath made thee whole" (Mark 5:34)

Con amor,
Vero

The Light of the World

Thoughts on our third day on quarantine.

In the scripture found on Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus wants us to be the light of the world. He said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. In order words, be a good example.

A thought that came to me was how today we had our sacrament meeting at home and felt so blessed to have the knowledge of the restored gospel but it would have done us any good if we had not turn on the light by holding a meeting to bless the sacrament, it requires effort. It also made me think how many other people are doing the same. We all should be a little light in this dark world.

As I compare the light within us kind of like the light fixture in our home is that in order for it work it needs to be turn on. It has a switch for it to work. To light up a room, requires action. We need to put the effort as well if we want to be the light of the world.

Con amor,
Vero

The Salt of the Earth

Thoughts on our second day on quarantine.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ tells his followers that they "are the salt of the earth," but if the salt loses its flavor, "its's there forth good for nothing, but be cast out." As much as we love our sodium intake daily, the symbolism of salt has deep meaning in the ancient Jewish culture and would have been even more relevant to the culture and religious practices of the time. While there are many interpretations to be drawn, here are a few especially poignant. 

The Covenant of salt
Salt was an essential preservation and often referenced in scripture and Mosaic rituals as a symbol of remembrance and preservation. This is most clearly seen in relation to sacred covenants. Both Numbers 18 and 2 Chronicles mention "a covenant of salt." The term salt was a direct reminder that a covenant is something that needs to be actively preserved. 

As "the salt of the earth," we have the privilege of unprecedented access to the savings and exalting ordinances of God. However, if we do not actively work to honor those covenants, we lose their power and protection. 

Endure is another word to use in conection with preservation in terms of modern-day applications. God's covenants are enduring. All we love and cherish endures into eternity because of Jesus Christ. By making and keeping covenants, we are able to utilize that power more prominently in our life. 

The Contamination of Salt
Elder Carlos E. Asay, while serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, shared some entering facts on how salt loses its savor, namely, that it only occurs through contamination. 

" A world-renowned chemist told me that will not lose its savor with age. Savor is lost through mixture and contamination. Similarly, priesthood power does not dissipate with age; it, too, is lost thought mixture and contamination... Flavor and quality flee a man when he contaminates his mind with unclean thoughts, desecrates his mouth by speaking less than the truth, and misapplies his strength in performing evil acts."

Christ was clear that salt becomes useless when it loses its savor. If savor is literally lost though contamination then we symbolically lose savor in our souls through the contamination of transgression and sin.

By remaining true, we can bring the light of Jesus Christ to the world, effectively so much more to the bland truths of a fallen world. 

Salt has long been used to preserve, flavor, and purify. Salt also had religious meaning for the Israelites. It was associated with the ancient practice of animal sacrifice under the law of Moses (Leviticus @: 13);(Numbers 18:19) When salt loses its savor, it becomes ineffective or "good for nothing" ( Matthew 5: 13.) I had a Aha moment when I realized that this happens when it is mixed with or contaminated by other elements. As disciples of Christ, we keep our savor by avoiding spiritual contamination from the world. This allows us to fulfill our preserving and purifying work as the salt of the earth.

Con amor,
Vero

Jesus Raising Jairus Daughter

Thoughts on our first day on quarantine. 

A ruler named Jairus asked Jesus to come to his house and heal his dying daughter. On the way they learned it was too late. The little girl had died. However, Jesus told Jairus not to fear but to believe in Him.

When Jesus entered the house he told the mourners not to cry. he told them the girl was not dead but asleep. they laughed because they knew she was dead. Jesus took the girl by the hand and told her arise. She returned to life and rose from the dead.

It's hard to read the New Testament without being impressed by the many accounts of the Savior performing miracles from a woman with a fever to a girl that has been pronounced dead. Certainly one obvious massage is that Jesus Christ is the son of God, with power over all things, including our physical pains and imperfections. But another meaning is found in His words to the skeptical scribes. "That ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." Mark 2:10  He clearly stated how he can heal both physical and spiritual.

Con amor,
Vero

Finding peace in the midst of the storm

Every "Cuaresma" or lent 40 days before Easter I have a tradition to read something about the life of Jesus every day and today I read the story when Jesus calms the storm. To reflect on the story, this is how it happened.

Jesus fell asleep as He and His disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee. A great storm arose. The wind blew and waves covered the ship. The disciples, afraid for their lives, woke Jesus. He stood and told the winds and the sea to be still. The storm stopped, and the sea was calm. The disciples were amazed that even the wind and the sea obeyed Jesus.

This story is a good reminder that in life, even when a storm hits, Jesus is there with us so we don't need to be afraid because Jesus Christ has power to bring peace in he midst of life's storms. A Facebook post said the following: Satan-- " I will cause anxiety, fear and panic. I will shut down business, schools, places of worship, and sports events. I will cause ecumenic turmoil and chaos."

Jesus-- " I will bring together neighbors, restore family unity, I will bring dinner back to the kitchen table. I will help people slow down their lives and appreciate what really matters. I will teach my children to rely on me and not the world. I will teach my children to trust me and not their money and material resources."

We are presently living a big storm of uncertain future for many. People have lost their jobs or lost significant amount of money in their business or stocks and no one knows when the storm will stop. The storm has come in a form of a virus and is causing so much financial devastation. I keep wondering, how bad can it get from where we are? But it's clear, we don't know until we've done this social distancing for a while to see if it's working.

For now, during this time of social isolation, we can still reach out and make a difference for good by lifting each other spirits. I love this quote by President Hinckley: " What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in  the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism. Let our faith replace our fears."

The silver lining for most people is that they can tune out the noise and hit the pause button on their rat race to spend quality time with loved ones. People are cooking and eating meals together and doing household chores together and doing school work together and other activities as a family. No more going back and forth to this and that because everything is cancelled. I hope people are making the most out of this situation spending time with loved ones and watching over their neighbor, especially the elderly. May we think of ways to help each other.

Con amor,
Vero

The Sermon on the Mount

Sitting on a Mountainside, Jesus gave what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. Included in this Sermon were the Beatitudes, special blessings that Jesus promised for righteous living. He also asks His followers to be good examples and to love their enemies.

By this point in His ministry, it was clear that Jesus's teachings would be unlike what the people of His time were used to hearing: "The poor will receive the Kingdom of God? The meek will inherit the earth? Blessed are the persecuted? The scribes and Pharisees were not teaching such things, and yet those who truly understood God's law, these doctrines felt right.

An eye for an eye and hate thy enemy were lesser laws (Matthew 5: 38,43) But Jesus Christ had come to teach a higher law design to help us one day become "perfect even as our Father which is in Heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48

Jesus taught them how to pray and encouraged them to repent of their sins and not judge others. He taught that those who obey His words have a strong foundation for their lives. Those who heard Jesus were astonished for He taught with the power of God.

I love how he blessed people as he talked to them.

Con amor,
Vero

Christ offers His living water

I love the story when Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink from a well. Jesus said that anyone drinking water from the well would get thirsty again but that whoever drinks of the living water He offers would have everlasting life. The living water in this story represents the gospel and when we worship, we open our hearts to the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

One of the messages to the Samaritan women was that how we worship is more important than where we worship. The woman asked Jesus to give her this water. As they talked, she first thought Jesus was a prophet and told him she knew that the Messiah, or Christ, would come and tell them all things but later she found out the man she was talking to was the Messiah, and she ran to tell others she had met the Christ, the Savior of the world.

Here Christ showed how he cared about women and how much he loved to talk to regular ordinary people; that is one of the traits I love about Him. Elder Renlund suggested to the the following: " As we face this worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, we are all washing our hands a lot. The best practice for hand washing is to spend plenty of time washing with water and soap. Similarly, the simplest protection from spiritual viruses in our lives comes from plenty of time with the Living Water, our Savior Jesus Christ and from the soap of repentance. May I invite you, each time you wash your hands in the coming days and weeks, to consider what the Savior has done for you and how you can be better." I also saw this quote from President Nelson, " When Jesus asks you and me to repent, He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit-- even the way we breathe. He is asking us to change the way we love, think, serve, spend our time, treat our (spouses,) teach our children, and even care for our bodies."
 
Con amor,
Vero

Jesus at the door

In a revelation given to the apostle John, Jesus said: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him." Jesus wants everyone to believe in Him, and receive the blessings that come to His righteous followers. He is ready and waiting to help everyone. He gives people the opportunity to learn about Him and accept His teachings.

Fast forward to today, COVID- 19 has proven to us that everything around us is still temporary. Things that surrounds us like malls, fast-food chains, gym, movies, work, everything, have all gone as we are learning to live without them. It is teaching us that at the end of the day, it's your own home and family, with having faith and God, that keeps us safe and all that matters. President Nelson has said: "when we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves."

Those who have faith in Jesus can open the door to Him by repenting, being baptized, and living righteously. These faithful followers will receive the great blessing of eternal life with Jesus and Heavenly Father.

Con amor,
Vero

A day to remember

I am confused? On one hand, I think that it is better to be safe than sorry if we were to be only 10 days behind Italy, it’s worth taking the extra pre-cautions for each of us to do our part, but on another, I wonder why SARS, Swine flu, Zika, Ebola etc. came and went almost undetected and never produced this kind of mass hysteria madness in proportion to the harm they caused financially? Could be that none of those infections reached the crossover the way this one has? No one knows. 

I am also surprised at all the people who are wiping out supplies and leaving nothing where many can’t get what they need. I call that overreaction based on fear and panic. Hoarding needs to be outlawed! Gandhi once said: "The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed." While living in the Philippines, I learned to have patience whenever disasters hits and they have had a good share of them. I heard a friend say: “Regardless of what happens, I am ready to go any day since death is eminent and will take us all someday anyway.” I keep telling myself, this too shall pass. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

I just hope the Corona scare does not do more harm than the illness itself. At least is good to know that if anyone gets it, he or she will have a 97% chance of survival. For now, I think is good to slow down, find peace, have faith and pray. This is but a moment in eternity. Today was the National Day of Prayer so it was surreal to think that this day, millions of people were praying in unison for those who are afflicted by the COVID-19 illness. We did our part praying several times and having a Sunday service at home, singing and partaking of the Sacrament which felt like heaven! 

Con amor,

Vero

Jesus Carrying a lost lamb

The Savior once said: "I am the good shepherd." A good shepherd will give his life to protect his sheep. He knows each sheep by name. The sheep know his voice and follow him and none other. If a sheep is lost, a good shepherd will search endlessly for it to bring it safely back to the fold.

The Savior has laid down His life for us. He will protect us from spiritual dangers if we follow His voice, but if we do what is wrong and stray from His word, He through the aid of His servants will find us and try to bring us back to safely. He knows each of us by name. And if we learn to recognize His voice and follow it, He will lead us back to Heavenly Father's presence.

Con amor,
Vero

The parable of the ten Virgins

I love how Jesus taught with parables using familiar objects and situations to teach a hidden spiritual truth. He used parables so that only those willing to study the parable would understand the message.

It was a custom among the Jews for the bridegroom to come at night to the bride's house where her bridesmaids attended her. When the bridegroom's approach was announced, these maidens went out with lamps to light his way into the house for the celebration. Five of the maidens had plenty of oil in their lamps to light the way, but five ran out of oil. The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish virgins because the oil of spiritual preparedness can not be shared.

This parable teaches us to be prepared spiritual for the second coming of Jesus Christ. The oil in the parable represents our faith, testimony and choices. Every time we choose the right by going to Church, praying, reading our scriptures, serving others, going to the temple, we are adding to our spiritual oil drop by drop.

Con amor,
Vero

When a loved one dies

One story about Jesus that has always amazed me is the story of Lazarus coming back to life after he was dead for four days. He was the brother of Mary and Martha who Jesus loved dearly. After hearing that Lazarus was very ill, Jesus went to them and prayed to Heavenly Father, then commanded Lazarus to rise from the dead and that is when Lazarus came back to life.

No doubt, Lazarus family were so happy but what if Lazarus life on this earth had come to an end? would the sisters still have faith? It's always important to accept God's will. Lucky for them, in this case it was God's will for Lazarus to come back to life.

Con amor,
Vero

The Prodigal Son

 Have you ever wondered how Heavenly Father feels about those who have sinned or are otherwise "lost"  Jesus told the story of the prodigal son to explain a father's feeling and about repentance, He told the story of man who had two sons. The oldest son was obedient and faithful. The youngest son asked for his share of his father's property and left home. He soon wasted all his money in sinful living and he became very hungry. Realizing he had been wrong, the younger son decided to return home and beg forgiveness.

As the son neared home, his father saw him coming and was overjoyed. The father celebrated his son's return with a feast. This made the older son jealous. The father explained to the older son that he would be given all the father had but that it was right to rejoice over the youngest son's repentance. no doubt that Heavenly Father rejoices when those who are lost are found.

Con amor,
Vero

The Rich Young Ruler

As we read Mark 10: 17-22 we are told of a rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked what he should do to have eternal life. Jesus told the young man that he must obey the commandments. When the rich young man said that he had been obedient to the laws of God. Jesus asked the man he needed to do one more thing. He needed to sell all he had and give to the poor and follow Jesus.

The rich young ruler was very sad. He did not want to do what Jesus told him to do. He loved his riches more than he loved God. The account of the rich young man can give pause even to the faithful to ponder, would I be willing to give up all my possession? 

Con amor,

Vero

Christ and the Children

Many people brought their children to be blessed by Jesus. The disciples thought Jesus should not be bothered and sent them away. Jesus told the disciples to let the little children come to Him. Then he taught a great lesson that only those with the faith of a little child can enter God's kingdom. Jesus showed his love for the little children as He welcomed them into His arms and blessed them.

Christ taught a good lesson that day because when I think of this incident with the children coming to see him, I think of todays Primary children, they are the future of His church who are eager to learn new things. I think of my grandchildren and how much I would loved if they could sit on HIs lap.

Con amor,
Vero

Christ Healing a Blind man

On a Sabbath day Jesus saw a man who had been born blind. Jesus spat in the dirt an made clay, then put the clay on the blind man's eyes and sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam. After doing as Jesus said, the man came away from the pool able too see.

The man's neighbors were amazed ad he explained to them how lJesus had leaked him. The Pharisees claimed that Jesus was a sinner for having healed someone on the Sabbath. When the man who had been blind was asked what he thought about Jesus, he said Jesus was a prophet. Later, Jesus found the man and revealed that He was the Son of God. The healed man believed and worship Jesus.

The disciples may have been surprised to hear Jesus say that their righteousness needed to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees who prided themselves on how well they kept the law of Moses. But Jesus taught a higher law, much more than the pure letter of the law one that required the heart, the soul and the mind.

Con amor,
Vero

The Ten Lepers

A lesson on thankfulness occurred when Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem through Samaria and Galilee. He met ten lepers. They cried out to Him: "Jesus Master, have mercy on us. He told them to go show themselves to the priests.

As they went to obey Jesus' command, they were cleansed of their leprasy. Even though all ten lepers had been healed, only one of the men thought to return and thank Jesus for the miracle He had performed for them. The man "turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face of (Jesus) feet, giving Him thanks." Jesus said to him., " Arise. Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

Sometimes I wonder, would I have been the one who returned to thank him? How grateful are we for all the many blessings and miracles in our life? I have started writing every day for the things I am grateful for. I got that idea from President Eyring's talk "O, Remember, Remember" back in October 2007.

Con amor,
Vero

Mary and Martha

How I wish I had lived in the time of Jesus because I know for sure I would have invited him to dinner. In this story, Jesus went to the home of His friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mary sat at Jesus feet to hear His teachings, while Martha prepared a meal.

Martha wanted Mary to help with work so she said to Jesus: " Bid therefore that she help me." Jesus understood how Martha felt, but he told her that Mary was wise in choosing to listen to Him. His teachings will stay with her always.

Sister Bonnie Parkin a former Relief Society General President, taught: "Mary and Martha are you and me... These two loved the Lord and wanted to show that love. On this occasion, it seems to me that Mary expressed her love by hearing His word, while Martha expressed hers by serving Him... Jesus did not dismiss Martha's concern, but instead redirected her focus by saying choose "that good part." And what is that? ... The one thing that is needful is to choose eternal life. (2 Nephi 2:28) We choose daily (chasing charity) "That Good Part"

Con amor,

Vero

Remembering the good Samaritan

In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus told about a traveler who was attacked by thieves and left half dead. A priest and then a Levite saw the hurt man, but each of them passed by without helping.

Finally, a Samaritan came by and stopped to help the man. He bandage the man's wounds and carried him on his own animal to an inn. The Samaritan left money with the innkeeper for the man's care.

It is helpful to remember that the parable of the good Samaritan was Jesus's way of answering the question: "who is my neighbor? By Jesus's day the animosity between the Jews and Samaritans had lasted for centuries. The Samaritans were descendants of Jews living in Samaria who had intermarried with Gentiles. The Jews felt that the Samaritans had become corrupted by the association with the Gentiles  and had apostatized. Jews would travel miles out of their way to avoid passing through Samaria.

This story truly shows us what it means to follow the commandment to love our neighbors.

Con amor,
Vero

Jesus walking on water

One night Jesus' disciples put out to sea in a boat while Jesus stand behind to pray to Heavenly Father. A storm came up and tossed the boat in the waves. when Jesus saw His disciples struggling with their ship in the storm, He started waking on the water toward the ship. The disciples were frightened when they saw a man walking toward them on the water.

Then they heard Jesus call to them and tell them not to fear. Peter asked Jesus if he could come to Him and Jesus told Peter to come but as Peter did so he b became afraid and started to sink. Jesus told hold of Peter's hand and helped him back to the boat. The sea became calm again and the disciples testified that Jesus was the Son of God.

The impression I feelwhenever I read Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6: 45-52 and John 6: 15-21 is the importance to set aside all fears and doubts and exercise faith in Him.

Con amor,
Vero

Ye must be Born Again

At a marriage fear in Cana, Christ changed water into wine-- an event John called the beginning of miracles (John 2:11) That is true in more than one sense; while it was the first miracle Jesus performed publicly it can also symbolize another miraculous beginning. The process of our hearts being transformed as we become ever more like our Savior.

This miracle of a lifetime begins with the decision to follow Jesus Christ, to change and live a better life through Him. Ultimately this change can become so complete that becoming "born again" is one of the best ways to describe it (John 3:7.) But rebirth is just the beginning of the path of discipleship.

Con amor,
Vero

Jesus fasts 40 days and is temped

From His youth, Jesus seemed to be aware that He had a unique sacred mission. But as Jesus prepared to begin His early ministry, after fasting for 40 days, the adversary sought to plant doubt in the Savior's mind. " If Thou be the Son of God," Satan said (Luke4:3) However, the Savior had communed with His Father in Heaven. He knew the scriptures, and He knew who He was. To Him, Satan's offer "All this power will I give thee" (Luke 4:6) was a hollow one, for the Savior's lifelong preparation allowed Him to receive "the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14) So despite temptations, trials and rejection, Jesus Christ never wavered from His appointed work. He was focused on doing His Father's work. " I must preach the Kingdom of God for therefore I am sent." (Luke 4:43)

It can be comforting to know that because Christ also face and overcame temptations, He knows the temptations we face and can help us overcome them. (Hebrews 2:18); (Alma 7: 11-12 ) I sometimes wonder if I had been fasting for 40 days and was temped to turn a stone into bread would I have done it? I wonder what is Satan temping me to do? and how can I prepare to resist temptation?

Sometimes people feel guilty when they are temped to sin. But even the Savior who lived without sin "Hebrews 4:15) was temped.

Con amor,
Vero

Christ ordaining the apostles

Early in HIs ministry, Jesus spent an entire night in the mountains praying to Heavenly Father. When daylight came, He called His faithful followers to Him and chose twelve whom He ordained to be Apostles. Jesus gave the Twelve the power of the priesthood, which is the power to act in His name which they were to use to help Him in His work-- preaching the gospel, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out unclean spirits.

Today we also have a quorum of the Twelve Apostles who speak to us every six months at every General Conference in April and October. They are getting ready to speak in the coming month and each time they speak is the same as if the Lord were speaking. I particularly like he April conference because it's in the Spring during the Easter season.

Con amor,
Vero