Don't be a Pigeon...

So! I'm not going to write a whole bunch this week. I got to Skype with my wonderful family so I don't have a whole lot to say other than this: Don't be a pigeon.

As a missionary, you start to look at things in the world differently. You see certain situations and begin to relate them to gospel principles and the teachings of Jesus Christ. This week I have drawn a rather peculiar parallel between the things you see in regular missionary life and the gospel of Jesus Christ: Don't be a pigeon. 

In the wonderful ville of Bergerac there is a crazy, crazy lady (crazy person of the week) who loves to feed the pigeons out of her apartment. So every time we pass by her apartment there are several pigeons eating bread and whatnot on the sidewalk and the road. 

Although this woman is well meaning, she endangers the pigeons LIVES. Yes LIVES. Little does she realize that the pigeons are such little pigs that they devote their full attention to eating as much bread as possible instead of watching the road for cars or bikes. Don't be a pigeon. 

Early this week, we passed by her house, as usual and there were several pigeons eating about... and to our amusement, there was a pancaked pigeon in the road... so of course we stopped and took a picture :) 

After laughing about it I actually began to reflect on why would the pigeon not move out of the way or what caused it to become so distracted. later in my studies I studied free agency and the God given right we have to choose for ourselves. 

Deuteronomy 30:19  “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life..."

Agency is our greatest resource we have on this earth. We use it everyday! Probably hundreds if not thousands of times! 

The pigeon named "Pancake" misused his agency and became distracted and unfortunately chose death. When you put it into the perspect of the scripture given, why would anyone choose death? Because we become distracted and don't realize that by disobeying the commandments of God, we are choosing death! 

So, let us remember--Let us not be like pigeons and this day "choose life"

I love you and hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Je vous aime

Elder Johnson de Begerac 

The stump is almost out.  It wiggles now when you push on it.