Great Work

 

Women's shelter


July 18, 2022 

Dear family and friends, 

I learned a new word this week:  Minka.  One of the speakers in the Spanish ward was a man from Ecuador.  He said the word is from the Quechua language and refers to a pre-Columbian Inca tradition of a community working together for the common good.  He spoke of neighbors helping put a new roof on a neighbor’s home and the joy it brought not just to the neighbor, but to the whole community.  He testified that Jesus Christ came to serve us and that if we follow His example, we will find joy. 

I also found a new place to serve this week:  a local woman’s shelter.  I was able to help sort donated clothing.  I worked alongside two women, one who was an attorney and one who was homeless.  I love the equality that exists in service.  There is a mural on a wall at the shelter that says “Do that thing you think you can’t do.”  It made me think of something I had been reading in the Old Testament this week.  When Nehemiah was rebuilding the ruined walls of Jerusalem and some people were giving him a hard time he said, “I am doing a great work…I cannot come down.” 

I Sometimes we think our efforts don’t amount to much.  For example, I routinely let people go ahead of me in line at the grocery store.  It’s not a big deal, but people act like it’s a great work.  A couple weeks ago I was on the receiving end of a great service.  My house in Utah had a plumbing leak and a family member fixed it for me.  He acted like it was no big deal, but to me it was “great work.”  I believe any kindness is great work because, “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” 

Keep doing that thing you think you can’t do.

I love you all, 

Sister Manwaring 


Me with hermanas Johnson & Villacres

Hermana Morales, Hermana Johnson & me

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