Poem: A Shepherd

The shepherd was weary as he stood

leaning on his shepherd's crook.

Worried thoughts passed through his head--

--a family with a lack of bread,

a dirty floor to lay his bed,

a wayward brother gone astray,

he hadn't got much sleep today.

The sheep he tended grazed and lolled

without worry, around they sprawled.

He watched them. Protected them.

They knew him, and he knew each one.

He stood, wishing life could be so simple 

as trusting that someone greater than he

was watching and protecting his own family.

When suddenly, off in the distance,

a light began to blossom

from dark to light, a glorious sight,

the shepherd watched in awe.

A messenger, sent from not too far

bearing good, and welcomed, 

tidings of great joy.

Finally, we are gathered as sheep.

We know our Shepherd,

and He knows us each.

We are watched. We are protected.

Good tidings, oh world--oh, what great joy!

For we are safe within His fold.

Poem: What Do You Do?

I once came across three young men
working outside in the heat of the sun.
Each was performing the exact same labor
but I decided to ask the motive of each one.

"I am cutting some grass," said the first of his job
as he sleepily wiped sweat from his brow.
"I am earning six dollars an hour" said the next
pushing through till the job was over.

Then, to the third, I asked, "what do you do?"
He looked up, stood tall, and with pride
he said, "sorry, sir, I can't waste much time to chat,
for I'm pruning the lawn for a temple of God."

(Poem adapted from a story shared in General Conference.)

The Grateful Chain

I am grateful for Summer, because I love to be warm.

I am grateful for Winter, because it makes me love Summer more.

I am grateful for blankets, because they keep me warm.

I am grateful for bright pink blankets, because they make me happy.

I am grateful for the color pink, because it is HAPPY!

I am grateful for rainbows, because when I see them, I have a good day.

I am grateful for my Physics class in highschool, because now I know why we have rainbows.

I am grateful for school, because I learn how things work.

I am grateful for Wikipedia, because it carried me through tough assignments at school.

I am grateful for my history classes, because now I know how to not make history repeat itself.

I am grateful for parrots, because they are talking animals, and that's fun.

I am grateful for carrots, because I like the snapping noise they make when I eat them.

I am grateful for my ears, because I can hear music.

I am grateful for music, because it is what I am made of.

I am grateful for a body, because it lets me run and jump and dance and move.

I am grateful for health, because it gives me opportunities.

I am grateful for new experiences, because I get to change and grow.

I am grateful that I can change, because I am imperfect.

I am grateful for imperfections, because they teach me to be strong.

I am grateful for a Father in Heaven, because He gives me strength.

I am grateful for my parents here on earth, because they support and love me.

I am grateful for family, because they are my best friends.

I am grateful for love, because it fills me with warmth.

I am grateful for warmth, because it reminds me of Summer.


Make a GRATEFUL CHAIN!