"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"

Our Primary, the organization for children 18 months to 12 years old, has recently begun a closing exercises and sharing time.  This closing exercise consists of children saying the opening and closing prayers, reading a scripture, sharing the theme for the month, leading the other children in reciting the Primary theme and giving a talk.  We have a small primary so the children that come all the time get lots of opportunities to have an assignment.

The children are crazy for this!!!  They love having an assignment and are prepared the next week with what they are supposed to do.  Recently one little boy, who always seems to have an assignment didn't receive one.  He was so sad, he cried.

We sort of laughed at this but just think about it.  Wouldn't it be great if we all had the same enthusiasm as these children in doing what the Lord asked us to do?  As a church leader, wouldn't you love to have people begging to have an assignment?  Our children here in Santiago are truly special.  They are so willing to do whatever is asked of them.  They WANT to be asked to do something.  They are a great example to me of how I should be in looking for, volunteering for and accepting assignments I am given.

Ibraim playing the role of David

Aron playing the part of Goliath.

I was trying to keep them entertained in the nursery with wadded up tape.

The youth are just as wonderful.  From the moment we arrived you could see how wonderful the teenagers were.  Some were all alone.  One young man walks an hour to church each week and arrives early.  

Gino on Sunday

Gino asking Mark a question.

The first week we were here we met Gino.  He is 13.  He introduced himself as the president of the Deacons' Quorum.  What a great kid.  Last week we were visiting a young man who turned 12 last Saturday.  He would now be able to pass the sacrament with the other deacons.  We invited Gino to go with us to visit Richard.  I have never seen a young person teach like Gino did.  He explained the responsibilities to Richard.  Asked him if he was prepared to do it.  Then he turned to Richard's mom and asked her if she'd support her son.  He then told him how reading the Book of Mormon each day would help him.  He told him it would be best if he'd get to church 30 min. early so he could help with anything that needed to be done.  When the Branch President spoke to Richard, Richard kept repeating what Gino had told him and how he wanted to do just like Gino advised him.  During the testimony meeting, Richard stood up and bore his testimony.  It was all very sweet to witness.

May we all be a little more child like in our enthusiasm and joy in serving the Lord.