100 Pesos

The early 1920s in Mexico were hard times.
The violent revolution had just ended.
There was little cash circulating, and most of it was in silver coins.
People often conducted their business through barter, or exchange of goods and services.

One day toward the end of Summer, Grandpa John came home, having completed a trade and having received as part of the deal 100 pesos in silver coins.
He gave the money to Ida with instructions it was to be used to cover the upcoming school expenses of the children.

Ida was grateful for the money but reminded John that they had not paid any tithing all summer long.
They had had no cash income, but Ida reminded him that the animals had provided meat, eggs, and milk.
Their garden had provided an abundance of fruits and vegetables, ad they had made other trades for goods not involving cash.
Ida suggested they should give the money to the bishop to cover their tithing.

John was a little disappointed, as the cash would have helped a great deal toward the children's schooling, but he readily agreed they needed to pay their tithing.
He carried the heavy bag to the tithing office and settled with the bishop.

Shortly afterward he received word that a wealthy businessman from the United States, a Mr. Hord, would arrive the next week with several men to spend a few days in the mountains hunting and fishing.

Grandpa John met the party of men at the railroad station not far from Colonia Juarez.
He had the string of saddle horses and the necessary pack animals ready to transport the baggage and camp equipment into the mountains.
The following week was spent guiding the men and caring for the camp and the animals.

At the end of the week, the men returned to the railroad station to take the train back to the united States.
John was paid that day for his work and was given a bag of silver peso coins to cover the other expenses.
Once John and his men had been paid, John returned the balance of money to Mr. Hord, who was surprised, as he had not expected any money to be left over.
He quizzed John to make sure all costs had been covered, and John answered that all the expenses for the trip had been met, and this was the balance of the funds.

The train whistled.
Mr. Hord turned to go and then turned back and tossed the heavy bag of coins to John.
"Here, take this home for your boys," he said.
John caught the bag and headed back to Colonia Juarez.

That evening as the family gathered around after supper to hear the stories from the trip, John remembered the bag and brought it in and set it on the table.
John said he didn't know how much was in the bag, so for fun the bag was emptied onto the table--it was quite a pile--and when it was counted, it came to exactly 100 pesos in silver.
Of course it was deemed a great blessing that Mr. Hord had decided to make that trip.
John and his boys had earned good wages, but the 100 pesos left over was a reminder of the exact same amount of tithing paid the week before.
To some, that might be an interesting coincidence, but to the Whetten family, it was clearly a lesson from the Lord that He remembers His promises to those who faithfully pay their tithing.

-Carl B. Pratt -The Lord's Richest Blessings -April 2011 General Conference

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

-Sarnic Dirchi