Flower Mound Saints “Light the World”

Looking for a way to make the holiday season more meaningful? “Light the World” is a worldwide initiative that encourages people to engage in daily acts of service throughout the Christmas season.

The service initiative, now in its second year, invites the public to participate in service opportunities within their families and communities while also celebrating the life and light of Jesus Christ. A service advent calendar offers prompts and suggestions for individuals and families looking for ways to help those around them or simply to lift someone’s spirits.

Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lewisville Stake took part in “Light the World” last year.

Amanda Dahl, a 2016 Flower Mound High School graduate, was inspired by one of the service prompts that said, “Jesus healed the sick and so can you.” She purchased flowers and created bouquets to brighten the day of patients at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Flower Mound. “I went to the hospital front desk and said, “I want to give these flowers to someone that needs to be uplifted today.”

“The nurses and doctors told me some rooms that might need cheering up,” Dahl said. “I walked into one of the rooms and there was a lady laying in bed. I said hello and put the flowers on the table in front of her. She smiled and said that those flowers were just the thing she needed in the middle of a hard day.

“In another room I found a woman sitting up in her bed. I introduced myself and gave her the flowers. She was speechless for a moment and then said thank you. She said she was getting released from the hospital after having been admitted for a month. She said I made her day with the thoughtful gift.

“When I left, I told the volunteer I wish I had a million flowers to give to every person in the hospital. I had such a warm feeling in my heart because I knew I was sharing the light of Jesus Christ with others.”

Caryn Beck of the Flower Mound 1st ward delivered over 100 handmade knitted squares to the Warm Up America Foundation where they eventually will be turned into blankets and given to the homeless in Dallas.

Stephanie Waite, also of the Flower Mound 1st ward, donated used eyeglasses “so that others may see,” she said. Waite also wrote a meaningful letter to her mother. “She appreciated my email because it made her feel better about something in the past she had regretted.”

Jaime Deter of the Flower Mound 3rd ward thought of her favorite scripture telling of the Savior’s birth in Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born…”

“When I saw the challenge to share my favorite scripture with someone who might need a boost, I suddenly had a wonderful idea,” Deter said.

“I made edible nativity scenes out of white chocolate and gave them to my friends. I decided I would make enough to give one to each of the ladies that come to my monthly Bunco group along with giving some to my neighbors.  I included a little card that included the scripture from Isaiah.

“I felt strengthened and I really wanted to give this gift of love and light. I truly felt my Savior’s love as I worked on each of the nativities. I know the love He has for me and for each of God’s children. His love really is wonderful and everlasting and can bring light and peace to our hearts

“Our beloved Savior is the common bond that brings us all together at Christmas. Giving a sweet treat is a tradition that I’ve done for decades, but this year it took on a greater and more sacred meaning to me as I testified of our Savior’s love.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites everyone to participate in its “Light the World” campaign which begins on Dec. 1 and continues through Christmas Day, Dec, 25. The service advent calendar is available for download at Mormon.org that includes suggestions for each day, so participants can “Light the world in 25 ways over 25 days”.

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/25-ways-25-days-calendar?cid=HP_TH_30-11-2017_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL2-2_