Things are heating up here in Heidelberg! No really, it's been around 100 degrees this week. Also, the work is on fire here :)
I think they must be putting something in the water here in Heidelberg (that's the only explanation I can think of)... SO many people have been coming up and talking to us these past few weeks! It's exciting to see how many people are curious and have the desire to learn more about Christ! Human beings, they are simply awesome :)
And our congregation here in Heidelberg. The best. They are always so ready and willing to help us and work with us. Everyday, I think about how blessed I am to be here.
One topic came up a number of times this week, let's start off with a poem on the matter:
’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile:
“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar, a dollar”; then, “Two!” “Only two?
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three--” But no,
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
And going, and gone!” said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand
What changed its worth.” Swift came the reply:
“The touch of a master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
A game--and he travels on.
He’s “going” once, and “going” twice,
He’s “going” and almost “gone.”
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.
The world often tries to convince us to sell ourselves for less than our true worth, to objectify, and belittle. But, there is one who knows and sees our true worth, our divine potential.
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;" (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)
You have great worth. You are a son or daughter of God! Don't forget that, and don't let anyone convince you otherwise.
Alles Gute
Love,
Sister Wahlquist
I think they must be putting something in the water here in Heidelberg (that's the only explanation I can think of)... SO many people have been coming up and talking to us these past few weeks! It's exciting to see how many people are curious and have the desire to learn more about Christ! Human beings, they are simply awesome :)
And our congregation here in Heidelberg. The best. They are always so ready and willing to help us and work with us. Everyday, I think about how blessed I am to be here.
One topic came up a number of times this week, let's start off with a poem on the matter:
’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile:
“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar, a dollar”; then, “Two!” “Only two?
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three--” But no,
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
And going, and gone!” said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand
What changed its worth.” Swift came the reply:
“The touch of a master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
A game--and he travels on.
He’s “going” once, and “going” twice,
He’s “going” and almost “gone.”
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.
The world often tries to convince us to sell ourselves for less than our true worth, to objectify, and belittle. But, there is one who knows and sees our true worth, our divine potential.
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;" (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)
You have great worth. You are a son or daughter of God! Don't forget that, and don't let anyone convince you otherwise.
Alles Gute
Love,
Sister Wahlquist