I love opening the mailbox at the end of my driveway everyday to see what has come.  And I love getting packages! Sometimes I race my kids to get the mail in the early afternoon.  And it was like getting birthday presents for 2 weeks as the hats arrived to be sent to Mongolia!

Yesterday I received 2 bills, an invitation for a credit card, and a pretty springtime magazine.  I wonder what will come today?

In our Primary each Sunday we open a little mailbox and a few children receive an assignment to read a scripture, say the opening prayer or prepare a talk for the next Sunday.  We have even had CTR rings and warm fuzzies come out of our mailbox.  Sometimes a card will be pulled out with a special announcement for a baptism or to tell us that someone has completely memorized their Articles of Faith.  I love the Primary Mailbox!

So this week, I’ve been trying to think of something special to do… and I can’t think of a thing. Can you help me with ideas?  What would YOU like to see come out of the mailbox?

I have dear friends who have served as missionaries in Mongolia.  At the time I read the story, they were preparing to leave to serve another 18 month mission in Mongolia and I learned that Sister C was making hats all the time to send over for the Mongolian children. I thought, “Hats? I can do hats!  And I bet lots of people would be willing to do hats!”  So, I sent out a request to my local friends and my internet friends.  Brother and Sister C left soon after my request went out and I’m sure they’ve made it safely to Mongolia.

As of yesterday morning I had 76 hats!  During the late afternoon, I stopped to pick up a package from Sister C’s house. She had left me a shipping box and extra yarn to make more hats.  As I opened the bag, I discovered not only yarn, but 30 hats that she apparently made before she left!  So now, there are 106 hats to send! 

We’re going to do this AGAIN later in the year!  The feeling of giving service to others is just the best! And it’s hard to describe.  It’s one of those things you just have to DO so you will really understand.   What will you do to serve someone today?

I think most people like to receive gifts.  It’s especially fun when it’s something you have anticipated for a long time! Some gifts are just for fun, and they might not even last very long, but there are also gifts that are well made and worth keeping for many years!  I have received books and clothing and even an instrument as gifts during my life.  These things have been useful and meaningful, and some of them are still with me.  However, there is one gift I have received, besides my actual life and body, that is worth more than all the other gifts I have ever been given, and that is the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Following the ordinance of baptism, the hands of worthy priesthood holders are placed on the head of the person for a blessing of confirmation as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  This gift is given so that we may have the Spirit with us always, to lead, guide and comfort us so that we might be able to continue on the right path and live according to the principles outlined in the gospel.  Then we will be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father. 

We are able to keep the Gift of the Holy Ghost as long as we are working to be obedient to the commandments. When we make mistakes or poor choices, we can repent and we are blessed to have the Holy Ghost remain with us. 

The Holy Ghost is a person, just like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, but he does not have a body.  Because he is a personage of spirit, he is able to communicate with our spirits more readily. He can warn us of danger and help us to feel safe and comforted.  He can prompt us to call a friend in need or even help us to understand something we are trying to learn.  One of the most important things the Holy Ghost does for us is testify of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  One of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon is Moroni 10:5.  “And by the power of the Holy Ghost,  ye may know the truth of all things.”

I am thankful that we have the Holy Ghost to guide us and testify to us of truth. Heavenly Father is so generous as he blesses us each day!

There are many acronyms in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s almost got it’s own language in some ways!  Here’s a fun list to start. 

LDS = Latter-Day Saint

AoF = Articles of Faith

BoM = Book of Mormon

FHE = Family Home Evening

D&C = Doctrine and Covenants

WoW = Word of Wisdom

Can you think of more?

Baptism is a covenant.  A covenant can be thought of as a 2-way promise between the person being baptized and Heavenly Father. As we make promises, He makes promises to us such as accepting us a members of His church and kingdom on earth, forgiving our sins when we repent, and giving us the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  And someday we will be able to live with Him again.  We will receive these blessings when we keep the promises we make as part of the covenant of baptism. 

My son is getting ready to take that first step on the ladder!  It is one of the most exciting and important times in a persons life!  These promises have eternal significance!