The Parable of the Bean Bag Frog

I know I said that today's post would cover the Parable of the Bean Bag Frog, Cornelius and Elder Holland's Talk.  There is, however too much that goes with the Cornelius story so it will have to wait for the next post.  Elder Hollands talk will also have to be in another post on account of how long this post is.  Kapwuramahk!  (sorry!)

***06/17/04 Orientation Notes: Day One, Part Two
          1. Principles of the Bean Bag Frog
               a. problem/need
               b. do your part: ask
               c. listen/act

CONFESSION: I don't have my copy of the Parable of the Bean Bag Frog.  I have used it's principles and am still working on trying to find it.  Although, I think I gave it away (my copy of the story, not my frog).  So, I'm also trying to get a new copy from the source, along with permission to use it here.  I have added a page (/\)with an edited version of a one I found on someone else's blog.

          Here's the basic run-down of "The Parable of the Bean Bag Frog"
A true story about our mission president, President Pulsipher, his wife, Sister Pulsipher, and their daughter Kristen.

• Kristen lost her bean bag frog that she loved.
• Kristen's dad asked her if God knew everything, and therefore knew where her frog was.
• Kristen and her dad prayed and asked God to help them find her frog
• Kristen's dad told Kristen they needed to wait and pictures would come to their heads of where to look
• Whenever a picture came to mind they went to look
• They prayed as a family that night for more help
• Kristen's mom woke up, in the middle of the night and found Kristen's frog

Here are some of the things we can learn from "The Parable of the Bean Bag Frog"

• God knows all things
• God can help us with everything and anything that is good
• We need to ask God for the help that we need
• God communicates with us, through the Holy Ghost,by sending us thoughts and ideas or pictures to our minds and feelings to our hearts
• We need to wait quietly, ponder and study in order to receive answers to our prayers
• God sometimes answers our prayers through others

President Pulsipher used to share a story about how he would get help at work. He worked for an engineering company in computer software production.  Sometimes he would reach a point where the software wouldn't do what it was supposed to do.  He would ask Heavenly Father for help in the following format, "Heavenly Father, I have a problem and I need your help.  Will you please help to me ..."  Then he would wait for the answer to come.  And the answer would come to his mind as pictures and thoughts and he would be able to work out his problem.

The interesting ending to the story is that Sister Pulsipher is the one who found the frog up high on a shelf, in a place no one considered.  She was able to receive the answer to the prayer when her mind was quiet and open.  Sometimes we pray and ask God for help and go on expecting an answer, which is good.  But the noise of being busy during the day, and focusing on other things doesn't leave our minds open to hearing the quiet promptings that God is sending to us.   When we especially need answers from God, it does well for us to find a quiet place to think, ponder and listen for God's answers.  Then when we receive an answer we must act on it.  Even if we don't understand how it will work out in the end.  We need to trust that God knows all things and can help us with all things.  I know that God will always answer us, because God loves us and wants us to be happy.

Next Post: Cornelius (for reals!)

Now onto the literal mountain of dishes that need to be done ... :) Happy Friday.