It's More Fun in the Philippines:
- This past week was full of fun activities and lots of very large blessings. I don't care about the trials we endured this week, because all of the positive things outweigh the bad (as they always do). One very fun activity was that we had a very large Christmas party in which ALL of the missionaries gathered together and had a workshop, games, skits, and gift exchanges. I can honestly say that Balayan Batangas Zone won it all! We ROCKED!!!
This week I want to share a story that was shared to us by my Mission President. This was always a FAVORITE OF MINE as a kid:
"Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes when the first tree said; “someday I hope to be a TREASURE CHEST, I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.”
Then the second tree said; “someday I will be a MIGHTY SHIP. I will take mighty kings and queens across the waters and sailed to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.”
Finally, the third tree said, “I want to grow to be the TALLEST AND STRAIGHTEST TREE IN THE FOREST. People will see me on the top of the hill and look up to my branches and think of the heavens and God, and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.”
After a few years of praying their dreams would come true, a group of woodmen came upon the trees. When one to the first tree he said, “this looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell this wood to a carpenter and cutting it down.” The tree was happy because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, “this looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.” The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsman came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down, his dreams would not come true. One of the woodmen said; “I don’t need anything special from my tree, I’ll take this one,” and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a FEEDBOX for animals. He was then placed in a barn filled with hay. This was not what he prayed for. Then the Second Tree was cut and made into a small FISHING BOAT. His dream of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into LARGE PIECES and left alone in the dark.
The years went by and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and a woman came to the barn, she gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feedbox that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event, and know that it held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got into a fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out of the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep them safe. The men woke the “sleeping man” and he stood and said; “PEACE” and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the king of kings on its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree, it was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of the hill. When Sunday came, the tree realized that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because JESUS had been crucified on it."
Then the second tree said; “someday I will be a MIGHTY SHIP. I will take mighty kings and queens across the waters and sailed to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.”
Finally, the third tree said, “I want to grow to be the TALLEST AND STRAIGHTEST TREE IN THE FOREST. People will see me on the top of the hill and look up to my branches and think of the heavens and God, and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.”
After a few years of praying their dreams would come true, a group of woodmen came upon the trees. When one to the first tree he said, “this looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell this wood to a carpenter and cutting it down.” The tree was happy because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, “this looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.” The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsman came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down, his dreams would not come true. One of the woodmen said; “I don’t need anything special from my tree, I’ll take this one,” and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a FEEDBOX for animals. He was then placed in a barn filled with hay. This was not what he prayed for. Then the Second Tree was cut and made into a small FISHING BOAT. His dream of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into LARGE PIECES and left alone in the dark.
The years went by and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and a woman came to the barn, she gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feedbox that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event, and know that it held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got into a fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out of the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep them safe. The men woke the “sleeping man” and he stood and said; “PEACE” and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the king of kings on its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree, it was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of the hill. When Sunday came, the tree realized that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because JESUS had been crucified on it."
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: When life doesn't seem to be going your way, just remember that God has a plan for you. He doesn't look at your current credentials, but rather he looks at your future potentials. And his plan for you may be hard to see right now, but just keep moving forward and he will guide your steps. SHARE a message about Jesus Christ to someone you care about, so they can remember the true meaning of Christmas.
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