The Parable of the Bicycle

by Stephen E. Robinson

I was sitting in a chair reading. My daughter, Sarah, who was seven years old at the time, cam in and said, "Dad, can I have a bike? I'm the only kid on the block who doesn't have one."

Well, I didn't have the money then for a bike, so I stalled her. I said, "Sure, Sarah."

She said, "How? When?"

I said, "you have to save all your pennies, and soon you'll have enough for a bike." And she went away.

A couple of weeks later I was sitting in the same chair when I heard a "clink, clink" in Sarah's bedroom. I asked, "Sarah, what are you doing?"

She came to me with a little jar, a slit cut in the lid, and a bunch of pennies in the bottom. She said, "You promised me that if I saved all my pennies, pretty soon I'd have enough for a bike. And, Daddy, I've saved every single one of them."

My heart melted. My daughter was doing everything in her power to follow my instructions. I hadn't actually lied to her. If she saved all of her pennies, she would eventually have enough for a bike, but by then she would want a car. I said, "Let's go look at bikes."

We went to every store in town. Finally we found it -the perfect bicycle. She was thrilled. Then she saw the price tag, and her face fell. She started to cry. "Oh, Dad, I'll never have enough for a bicycle!"

So I said, "Sarah, how much do you have?"

She answered, "Sixty-one cents."

"I'll tell you what. You give me everything you've got and a hug and a kiss, and the bike is yours." Then I drove home very slowly because she insisted on riding the bike home.

As I drove beside her, I thought of the atonement of Christ. We all desperately want the celestial kingdom. We want to be with our Father in Heaven. But no matter how hard we try, we come up short. At some point all of us must realize, "I can't do this by myself. I need help." Then it is that the Savior says, in effect, "All right, you're not perfect. But what can you do? Give me all you have, and I'll do the rest."

He still requires our best effort. We must keep trying. But the good news is that having done all we can, it is enough. We may not be personally perfect yet, but because of our covenant with the Savior, we can rely on his perfection, and his perfection will get us through.

June Recipe

Quick and Dirty Chocolate Pie 
Note: This is seriously one of the best desserts I have EVER
made. -Sydnie Powell

Ingredients:
2-4 Tablespoons heavy cream
3-4 Tablespoons honey
2 Cups Ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon good tasting Stevia
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Directions:
Combine heavy cream, honey, salt, ricotta, stevia, and vanilla in
a food processor. Blend for a couple minutes, until perfectly
smooth. No lumps! Melt unsweetened chocolate on High in
microwave for 40 seconds. Stir, and melt chocolate in 15 second
intervals until liquefied. Scrape chocolate into food processor and
blend until thoroughly incorporated. With no streaks of chocolate
visible. Taste filling, and add more stevia if necessary. Spread
filling into a pie plate, or whatever serving container you desire.
Chill until firm. Top with stevia-sweetened fresh whipped cream
(3/4 cup). Grate 85% cacao chocolate over whipped cream if
desired.

June Quotes

"The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to
love her mother." -Elaine S. Dalton

"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised,
unnoticed, and yet on of the most valuable assets in our
society." -Billy Graham

"What is a dad? A dad is someone who wants to catch you
before you fall, but instead picks up, brushes you off, and
lets you try again. A dad is someone who wants to keep you
from making mistakes but instead lets you find your own
way, even though his heart breaks in silence when you get
hurt. A dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds
you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you
succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail…"
-Author Unknown

"A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet
where his money use to be." -Unknown

Happy Father's Day

Pet Emergency & Disaster Plan

I am Sister Anastasia Vandoros and I have the calling in the ward to work on the Emergency and Disaster committee, specifically to help members to prepare, care for, and maintain pets as part of their family in the event of an emergency/disaster that might occur in the area. I have literature for display and to hand out for that purpose.

Animals unlimted Inc is a non profit, charitable humane organization headed by Anastasia. In that capacity I have received an okay from Bishop Grasteit to request donations of animal supplies to AU Inc so the group (along with other animal groups who would rally around) could assist the Ward in any kind of emergency disaster which might hit our area. We had experience in the Katrina disaster which gave us the know-how to help animals in an earthquake and/or fire.

We need the following items: Dog & cat houses, cages of all sizes, carrying cases, leashes collars, harnesses, kitty litter and boxes, washed clean blankets, feeding bowls & dishes, etc., medical supplies new and unopened, only canned food at this time due to storage problems.

If you wish cash donations are being accepted so we can buy the above items. Tax deductable receipts will be issued for all donations. Donations can be dropped off before or after church at Anastasia's Big Blue Chevy can at the back parking lot on the 22nd and 29th of June. If you have any questions please contact Anastasia Vandoros at (818) 340-3327.

We do not have to choose between please & animals. Together we can plan for both. Remember Noah took only eight people on the ark all the rest were animals.

Now is the time to part with those pet supplies you have no use for any more but have been hanging onto for sentimental reasons. The living animals will have a great need for them.

Thank you,

Anastasia Vandoros

Box Spring

Hello Sisters. Sister Taylor has a single raised box spring if anyone is looking to make their bed higher. If you are interested please call her or me (Lisa Bell)