A Smile and a Wave

We can let the light within us show in many different ways.
It may be as simple as a smile.
I recently read the account of a man in the northwest United States who used to drive past a bus stop on his way to work.
He began to notice a young girl among some children waiting for the school bus.
Even when it was raining, she would smile and wave as he drove by.
He said: "The young girl was tall and slim and about 13 years old.
She wore a mouthful of braces and I could see them glisten in the glare of my car lights."
Her effort to be friendly gave his day a good start and was something he looked forward to.

This man's name was Hankins, and he had a daughter, Cheryl, who was about the same age as the girl at the bus stop.
One day Cheryl asked her parents' permission to attend an activity at a local church.
A neighbor girl, Vicki, had invited her to attend.
The activity was MIA, the forerunner to the Young Women program!
Cheryl enjoyed MIA and after a while told her parents that Vicki was a Mormon.
It wasn't long before Cheryl came home from school and said that Vicki was sending two young men over--missionaries--to tell the family about her Church.

The elders arrived, taught them about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and bore their testimonies of the Restoration of the gospel.
As a family they began to read these new scriptures and were soon captivated by them.
Mr. Hankins finally met Vicki.
She was the smiling girl he had seen so many times at the bus stop.
She was present when he and two other members of his family were baptized.

Looking back on Vicki's actions and those of other young people, Brother and sister Hankins became convinced that "the greatest potential for missionary work lies in the youth of the Church."
Brother and Sister Hankins have since served as missionaries themselves.
They relied upon the referrals and good example that they youth supplied.
Vicki--the girl at the bus stop who smiled every day, even when it was raining--changed their lives forever.

Each of you can be a friend to someone, even if it is only by smiling.
Like Vicki, you can let the sunshine that is in your heart show in your face.

James E. Faust -Your Light--a Standard to All Nations -April 2006 General Conference

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the Day!

-Sarnic Dirchi