Here is a portion of a weekly email from President Kohler, our current mission president:
"As we were in graduate school living in student housing, we lived in a complex of tightly packed 3 bedroom apartments that formed a rectangular area with grass in the middle where many young children of the families played. Because of the constant use and abuse of the children, the grass was very worn and bare.
In a bottom corner apartment lived a family from a very far and foreign place. At one point, this couple had their parents come and stay with them for an extended period during the summer.
Each morning all summer as I would sit on my balcony studying, unknown to him, I would watch this older gentleman come out and pour bowl after bowl of water directly on the grass in front of their apartment. At first, I didn't know what he was doing, but his action intrigued me and I thought " why is he doing that? Is he really trying to help the grass grow? Doesn't he know there are automated sprinklers? That the kids will just trample the grass down? That it is impossible to pour water everywhere? Why there? Won't he be leaving soon? Isn't that the job of someone else? Doesn't he realize how hot and dry it is?"
However, as I continued to observe this event day after day, I began to notice something. I noticed that indeed his corner of the grass was getting greener. His corner was growing and looking healthy and good. He seemed happy and pleased even if nobody else noticed. Through the constant persistence of his effort, he was seeing results. This simple experience changed my outlook and my very life. I think of this man often and have realized some very important lessons that I try to implement in my life.
This man had seen a need and decided to do something about it. He did not wait for someone to invite him to act, he took control of the situation and acted independently as an anxiously engaged steward (D&C 58:26). It did not matter if he was from a distant part of the world and he soon would be leaving. It did not matter that he could not water all the grass himself. He felt that it was his responsibility to take care of the portion he could do something about, that part of the vineyard in which he labored. It was not a difficult task he was performing, but he had to first notice the need, make a decision and plan to do something, be persistent, and not care if nobody else was doing it. It was within his control to make a difference and he had the ability to cause a change.
It dawned on me that I was not watering my grass and neither were any of my neighbors. Yes, we had noticed it looked bad and even complained about it from time to time asking why someone wouldn't do something about it. What if we all were to water the little part where we lived? Then the whole area would be better and greener , and more enjoyable for all."
Pres. Kohler then shared how this analogy parallels a mission. We can even use this analogy in the context as members of the church in our daily stewardships and callings. You are invited to WATER YOUR GRASS!
We continue to love our service. Each day we notice more people that can benefit from our love, diligence, and service. What a joy that is! We keep busy and happy!
We send our love and regards to family and friends,
Elder and Sister Didenhover
Mom and Dad,
Gramma and Grampa D.
"As we were in graduate school living in student housing, we lived in a complex of tightly packed 3 bedroom apartments that formed a rectangular area with grass in the middle where many young children of the families played. Because of the constant use and abuse of the children, the grass was very worn and bare.
In a bottom corner apartment lived a family from a very far and foreign place. At one point, this couple had their parents come and stay with them for an extended period during the summer.
Each morning all summer as I would sit on my balcony studying, unknown to him, I would watch this older gentleman come out and pour bowl after bowl of water directly on the grass in front of their apartment. At first, I didn't know what he was doing, but his action intrigued me and I thought " why is he doing that? Is he really trying to help the grass grow? Doesn't he know there are automated sprinklers? That the kids will just trample the grass down? That it is impossible to pour water everywhere? Why there? Won't he be leaving soon? Isn't that the job of someone else? Doesn't he realize how hot and dry it is?"
However, as I continued to observe this event day after day, I began to notice something. I noticed that indeed his corner of the grass was getting greener. His corner was growing and looking healthy and good. He seemed happy and pleased even if nobody else noticed. Through the constant persistence of his effort, he was seeing results. This simple experience changed my outlook and my very life. I think of this man often and have realized some very important lessons that I try to implement in my life.
This man had seen a need and decided to do something about it. He did not wait for someone to invite him to act, he took control of the situation and acted independently as an anxiously engaged steward (D&C 58:26). It did not matter if he was from a distant part of the world and he soon would be leaving. It did not matter that he could not water all the grass himself. He felt that it was his responsibility to take care of the portion he could do something about, that part of the vineyard in which he labored. It was not a difficult task he was performing, but he had to first notice the need, make a decision and plan to do something, be persistent, and not care if nobody else was doing it. It was within his control to make a difference and he had the ability to cause a change.
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| He felt that it was his responsibility to take care of the portion he could do something about, that part of the vineyard in which he labored. |
It dawned on me that I was not watering my grass and neither were any of my neighbors. Yes, we had noticed it looked bad and even complained about it from time to time asking why someone wouldn't do something about it. What if we all were to water the little part where we lived? Then the whole area would be better and greener , and more enjoyable for all."
Pres. Kohler then shared how this analogy parallels a mission. We can even use this analogy in the context as members of the church in our daily stewardships and callings. You are invited to WATER YOUR GRASS!
We continue to love our service. Each day we notice more people that can benefit from our love, diligence, and service. What a joy that is! We keep busy and happy!
We send our love and regards to family and friends,
Elder and Sister Didenhover
Mom and Dad,
Gramma and Grampa D.
