Field Trip/Mercy and Grace

JD's Buddies

 Recently I was able to go on a field trip with John Derek.  It was fun to spend time with him.  As I watched him interact with the people around him I was amazed to see how much influence he has.  Everyone wanted to be with John Derek.  If he switched to something else they would switch.  If he said to move on they moved on.  I love seeing him be a leader instead of a follower. 

Butterflies by John Derek

When he first was in Kindergarten he was a follower and the people he followed were not good examples.  The Lord told me to hold him back a year, this put him as the oldest in his class and he shines.  He is a leader, he is still kind and concerned about others. 

Viewing Water Creatures

We loved the field trip, he took pictures of butterflies and even got to look at different creatures that live in wetlands.  We concluded with Daddy joining us for lunch.  It was a delight to be with my buddy.

Lunch with Dad

The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition), by Tad R. Callister

pg. 318--"Sometimes we have a tendency to shy away from the word grace and instead to emphasize the works (while certain others take the opposite approach)--but in truth, these two concepts go hand in hand.  When the lifeguard stretches out a pole to the downing swimmer, the swimmer must reach out and hold on if he desires to be rescued.  Both the lifeguard and the swimmer must fully participate if the swimmer's life is to be saved.  Likewise, works and grace are not opposing doctrines, as is so often portrayed. To the contrary, they are indispensable partners in the process of exaltation."

Sometimes I know I fall in this category.  To think that we need the works and grace is just a side element.  But what a beautiful illustration of the two.  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who provided a way for me to return to Him.  That I will do the best I can and the rest will be given by my Savior Jesus Christ.  What a blessing.