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The Home of Hồ Chí Minh

Alo -

It has been a fantastic week here in Vietnam preparing for Tết and getting ready for the New Year. A majority of our friends are all going back to their hometowns, so it will be a slow week for a bit, but we are excited! 

Nothing too extraordinary happened this week - last week we did a hike at a nearby "mountain" and then got some pizza at a nearby mall. While waiting for a taxi, we got a tour of a pagoda which has a huge cave inside of it, full of bats. Apparently Hồ Chí Minh lived there, which I'm not certain I believe but it was interesting. You could shine the flashlight up on the ceiling of the cave where the bats were hanging and make them hiss, which was funny. 
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Spiritual Thought: What could I have done more for my vineyard?

This week during my studies I felt an impression to share this thought about hope, patience, and humility. I know many who read my emails are not religious or are unfamiliar with the Book of Mormon, but I think what I have to share is applicable and useful for all of us, regardless of any religious connection. I invite you to read my small message and hope it can inspire you. 

In The Book of Mormon, there is a prophet named Jacob who is testifying about The Lord gathering his people and building his church in the last days. The prophet Jacob uses an analogy of a vineyard/garden, comparing planting, harvesting the trees and their fruits to how God will gather us again. The story follows two main people: The Lord of the Vineyard and his servants. 

At first, the Lord of the Vineyard is pleased with the fruit his vineyard is making. Occasionally, some trees would become "corrupted" and produce wild fruit, due to their roots being weak or the soil being bare. When this would happen, the Lord of the Vineyard would cast away the bad branches to preserve the good. The Lord of The Vineyard works tirelessly to keep his vineyard healthy. Despite his hard work, the "wild" or corrupted fruit overrun the vineyard, and the Lord of the Vineyard is discouraged. The following are some verses I complied of what his reaction and words were, while talking to his servant:

"[41] What could I have done more for my vineyard... [43] I did even plant in a good spot of ground; yea, even that which was choice unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard... [46] notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit; and these I had hoped to preserve... it grieveth me that I should lose them... [47] what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long and the end draweth nigh... [49] What could I have done more for my vineyard?"

The servant, after listening to the Lord of the Vineyard express his sorrow, replies by saying, [50] "...Spare it a little longer". 

The Lord of the Vineyard accepts this invitation - and the Lord of the Vineyard and his servants go to the garden once again and work with all their diligence and might. The vineyard is eventually restored, with the trees producing sweet fruit, bringing happiness to the Lord of the Vineyard and all of those who worked with him.

I think we can all recall a time when we have worked tirelessly on something -- only to have it fail or not be what we hoped for. We make plans, develop relationships, put in hard work, dream, sacrifice money, time, just like the Lord of the Vineyard "dug about" and "pruned" his vineyard. The disappointment of our unfulfilled expectations can be crushing, especially when it involves our friends or family. We can often be critical and angry at ourselves, saying, "What more could I have done?". 

The answer of the servant is a simple and powerful statement of humility and patience. By saying "spare it a little longer" essentially tells us: Don't give up. The servant invites us to be humble enough to place our trust in the Lord, to align ourselves with his will. The servant invites us to be patient, to continue humbly working to receive the blessings which will come about. 

For my message today, I invite you to "Spare it a little longer" - or to keep going, and not give up. I don't know what challenge or situation you are currently in, nor do I claim to have a perfect solution to it. However, I do know that our challenges and trials are ultimately here for us to learn and grow. The pain and sadness we currently have will eventually be complimented with unimaginable peace and joy as we persevere with humility and patience. Just like the Lord of the Vineyard, we too can have satisfaction and peace from our work and efforts.  

Spare it a little longer and let me know if I can help you!
Anh Cả Reynolds








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