I decided that as this was the year that “Light the World” really took on meaning for me—that I’d like to include as many of those Posts in this last part of our Mission Blog as I could recover. Obviously, it would have been easier to “do as you go”— but then hindsight is always 20/20 also.😉. I remember our first Christmas in New York City in 2016– when we were in Times Square with all the lights and signs and billboards—looking up and right there as prominent as anything and big as Life
— the Church has a huge “
LIGHT THE WORLD in 25 ways in 25 days” and we were so excited for such a GREAT MESSAGE!!!
So here is our look back to these wonderful days of messages of service and Christmas spirit.
.
2017
“Light the World” Day 4–“Matthew/22:39 “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self”. I got a slow start — but I’m picking it up on this date as I have loved this dear Sister Margaret May since I met her soon after we started our NY Manhattan Temple Mission in the aspiring of 2016. We so wanted to take her to see the “Rockettes Christmas Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall in December of 2016. We tried—but could not connect—so this year (2017)—we tried again and it turned out so GREAT!!! We love her dearly and admire her love for others; the Temple and the Lord!
- Day 5 "Light the World" is from Matthew 15:4--"Honor thy father and thy mother".
- My parents, Ielo and Grace Goff, were two of the most humble and loving parents. My Dad taught
- me to be "colorblind and kind" and from my Mom I learned that people with disabilities also have many talents and want to share with others, too!! I know I did not appreciate how good they really were while I was growing up. But I truly hope they know how much I love them for their sacrifices for me were numerous.
“
Light the World--Day 6"Judge not that ye be not judged." Matt 7:1 In reading the Oct 2017 Gen Confo talks, I went back to Pres Uchtdorf's opening talk--towards the end of his message--where he
talks about the early leaders of the Church and how some were very critical of the Prophet Joseph and other leaders. And some fell away. But Pres Uchtdorf cautioned that "we might have a tendency tojudge these brethren and other members like them--perhaps by saying to ourselves "well I would
never have abandoned the Prophet Joseph." He said to be careful--"we have no idea what it was like to live at that time , in those circumstances" And that is so true--let's try not to be judgmental of
anyone--for we don't know "their story or circumstance". I know I need to do better at this--and today
is a good place to begin.
"Light the World" Day 7--"Suffer the little children to come unto me." Mark 10:14
Anyone who knows me will understand how much I LOVE my GRANDS!! They are precious,
delightful and deserving of every good thing!! I have missed them more than words can tell these 21 months we have been serving our Mission here in the Manhattan New York Temple. I ❤️that the Savior loves the children and tells us pretty straightforwardly how we should treat them and be like
them. I hope we can Light the World by leading out in our love and respect for these "little ones"!!
"Light the World" Day 8 (I'm working on MST for this one)
Matt 5:45--"Love your enemies. . . do good to them that hate you. . . and pray for them that despitefully use you". We need this so much in our World today. Christ is our perfect example of this and all I can do is just keep striving and working to be like Him. As I walk these sidewalks in NYC, I
am so thankful for my life. I have been trying to look people in the eye and smile at them and I get
some smiles back!!I am so glad I have Hope to keep me striving in "hard tasks". And the "evergreen
tree" to remind me, particularly as the Celtics observed--that because they stayed green through the
‘dark half’ of the year, their symbolic meanings included qualities such as:
• Strength
• Invincibility
• Determination
• Immortality
• Revitalization
That's a good enough list for me!! Light the World by your Hope and your Strength!!
"Light the World" Day 9--Matt 25:36--"I was sick and ye visited me".
There are so many in this world that struggle each day to even eat a decent meal--we walked past a man in a wheelchair last week who was so crippled, with missing limbs and such, and yet he had a
happy face as he held out his hat for handouts. We passed by, then stopped and went back with more than "just change" as he was asking--and wished him a Merry Christmas. You'd have thought we'd given him "the world" as he called after us with his "God bless you's"!! To me, those are the "truly
“deserving" of our means and compassion. They may be "down"--but they're not "out" yet!! Light the World by your generosity.
"Light the World" Day 10--John 5:39 "Search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have ete
. " Our "project" (Sister Mumford appointed/Brother Mumford enlisted) for the families with small
children in our ward in Rego Park (in Queens, NY) where we attend Church and serve--was to make
little Book of Mormon Stories booklets that they could use in FHE and family scripture study. It was
a "duo effort" and we handed them out today. Glad that we could help, in some small way, these
young families with their scripture study time. Later this evening, the Missionaries in our 2 Lincoln
Square building here in NYC, gathered to sing and rejoice in the Carols of Christmas in our Lobby
around the beautiful grand piano. What a glorious Sabbath day it has been. "I know the Gospel is
TRUE!!
"Light the World" Day 11--Matt 25:35 "I was a stranger and he took me in". This "collection of pics" represent several aspects of this scripture. From L top corner--We finished a "Quilt for Refugees"with Barbara Heideman, the beautiful stained glass windows in St. Patrick's cathedral (depicting many aspects of Christ's life), the Statue of Liberty and all that she "beckons" and our dear Friend, Ellen P,
that we met in Central Park--and whom we have discovered is an incredible person who touches so
many lives!! No more Strangers here!!
"Light the World" Day 12--Matt 5:4 "Blessed are they that mourn." Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to this wonderful woman, Marie and her family as they will celebrate this Christmas without
their beloved husband, Dad and Grandpa." Our dearest Bob Cella passed away this last August after a
very valiant fight with brain cancer. We learned so much from Bob and Marie as they lived this Life
to it's fullest even when it became very apparent that this cancer was terminal. Ron, Bob and another
dear friend, Scott Jefferies, were "the 3 Amigos" since meeting and serving as Missionaries in the
Great Italian Mission. What a rich blessing that Mission (even after 48+ years) has become for us in
so many ways. We so loved Bob and we continue to send our love and prayers to you, Marie.
( This is our son, Bryce’s post for this day. It was so “heartfelt and so good” —I share it here to
remember the “treasure” he and his family are to me)
Day 14: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
In Matthew 6, Christ brings up two big temptations we all face that can distract us and pull us away from the important relationship we have with God the Father. The first temptation evident in Matthew 6 is the religious man doing his works before man to receive the praise of man instead of doing them
in secret, where only God knows. The second temptations we face is the temptation of being like the
world in seeking treasures of this earth. So often, we look at the things of this earth and say, “If only I
had that, then I would be all set.” We seek to find security and satisfaction in temporary things instead
of what we already have in our relationship with God. Both these temptations want our attention, and
both distract us from what truly matters – our relationship with Christ and our Heavenly Father.
As I was driving home from dialysis last night, I couldn't help but think of the many kindnesses we’ve been shown. So many people have provided assistance to me and my family over this past
year. My parents, Ron and Carol Mumford, have been serving a mission in New York, but members
of my family have offered help in watching our kids as I recovered from four bouts with
sepsis/bacteremia. My brother, Brad, has helped us afford the house we’re in now, at great expense to
him. I was given a scooter by my brother, Lincoln Mumford, to help me get around town. I have been
informed of numerous fasts that have been performed on our behalf. My parents have given money to help with medical expenses. This family of mine has been a great example of showing where their
treasure is in assisting family members in time of need.
I also have been blessed by numerous friends and associates. in early November, my wife's cousin
and his wife, Royal and Jennifer Petersen, gave us a car to assist in getting myself to dialysis and
back as we come into the winter months. I drive this vehicle and can’t help but think of the blessing it has been. This family does this often, where they look for people they can bless and then perform acts
of service. They serve as an example of showing where their treasure is in helping others.
I sometimes contemplate why I’m blessed to live where I do, to be raised like I was, and to have the life that I live. I’ve been blessed greatly by so many neighbors, friends, and family. The above
examples are just a few in this past year that I wanted to highlight. But there are so many others who
continue to serve our family, lift our burdens, and help us through our trials.
As I think of service, I want to highlight my wife, Lissa V. Mumford. There isn’t a day that goes by
when I’m not amazed by her giving mentality. If she sees an opportunity to make a meal, she takes it.
An opportunity to provide goods or services for a family in our ward, she’s usually first to volunteer.
She is an example to me of knowing that when “she is in the service of her fellow being, she’s only in the service of our God.” (Mosiah 2:17) I’m so grateful for this season where the message of the
season causes me to reflect on the many blessings I have in my life. Thank you to all who
#lighttheworld with your quiet acts of service. Our family has been forever blessed because of your
actions..
"Light the World" Day 15-- Matt 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful". Jesus Christ shows us the way in all facets of our lives. Serving on a Temple Mission for the past 21+ months has blessed us so much!!
There are so many ways we can follow the example of Christ and be merciful and kind in our
families, in looking out for those who could use a helping hand and in granting forgiveness in those
things in which we've been too demanding or harsh. I know days go better if I can "rise above" being petty and selfish and give others a "break" in our judgment of them. Light the World--SMILE and lift a load!!
"Light the World"--combining days 16, 17 & 18--from Top L--NY Manhattan Temple Missionaries "meeting annually in the Building Lobby to sing Christmas Carols around the piano and Christmas
tree at 2 Lincoln Square" (truly we sounded like Angels!!), to making sacred covenants in the Temple and "being forgiving of others' trespasses" to "being clothed by a very special friend's "gift" to keep me warm"---these are evidences all around of efforts to truly "Light the World" and find great JOY!!
"Light the World" Day 19--Matt 5:12--"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad." This beautiful collection of women are the Full-time Temple Missionary Sister's I am so blessed to be serving with in the NY
Manhattan Temple each day. They are truly "elect women" who are examples of all facets of service in the Gospel. We "celebrated" each other by this "gathering" to Alice's Tea Cup for "Crumpets and
Tea (herbal, of course).". We were so "glad" we could be together and enjoyed ourselves immensely!!
"Light the World" Day 20--Luke 12:15 ". . . for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." I/We are surrounded by so many reminders of "choice people" who
make/have made sacrifices and are so "happy" in the circumstances they do enjoy. I believe if said another way--"Quality not Quantity" could be used here. #Light the World in enjoying your Journey here--every day!
"Light the World" Day 21--Matt 25:35 "For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat". We have met some of the BEST People while we have been serving here in NY. Some have fed us physically--like going to Chinatown for a marvelous "dim sum" lunch with the Tans ( from Singapore) and the DeBrys (from SLC, UT) ; some have fed us spiritually as did Sister Pratt when she shared her wonderful conversion story; and then those who "lift us" like little Quincey Carol who is representative of all our wonderful GRANDS that we love so much; and this "Subway performer" just doing his best to earn a meal with his talents. Life has so much to offer us, "Light the World" by caring about, enjoying and helping those in your "path of influence"!! #25 ways in 25 days~such an adventure!!
"Light the World" Day 22--3 Nephi 27:21 "That which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do." Good works and love and influence in our families, among our peers and even with strangers all can contribute to making our lives rich and full with things that matter most!! Live to be "the very best person", one that you can be "counted on" because your example leads out for GOOD!! And you truly will "Light the World". . . . Everyday!!
"Light the World" Day 23--Matt 25:36 Jesus taught "I was in prison, and ye came unto me". Some prisons are literal, places where you are "locked up" with no freedom to leave on your own. Other "prisons"can include physical and mental afflictions and/or addictions.
The pictures I chose for this day are on a little "happier thought" --the "Lady in the Harbor" who begs "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."(by Emma Lazarus)
I wonder if we can "light the way" for someone who is "troubled" or "trapped" with a kind word or action. Or maybe an acknowledgment that they are "doing OK" just by trying and not giving up!! Hopefully we can become more aware of situations where our "light" does "double-time" until someone we know and love--FINDS their light again.
"Light the World" Day 24-- 3 Nephi 18:15 "Ye must watch and pray always." Jesus has such wonderful "reminders" for us to pray. We know that His Mother, Mary, surely taught him to pray from a very tender age;the Sacred Grove near Palmyra, NY, was the setting for one of the simplest yet very important prayers, uttered by Joseph Smith, in these Latter-days; the Temple is the setting where we are tutored in prayer form and make sacred covenants that will bless us and loved ones forever. Prayer really does "Light our Way" and as we say our prayers--I hope that a "prayer of gratitude" is also one that we use often. I am so-o-o blessed each day with this most important "ingredient" to help my day go better, and Heavenly Father has promised to answer the prayers
of those who do humbly ask.
"Light the World" Day 25--Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven" Dec 25, 2017 finds us in New York, again at Christmas. We have enjoyed time with our Missionary friends and we have seen them as they have shown their Light! We found ourselves in The Church of St Paul the Apostle--(the top picture) (in Upper Westside Manhattan) as a Missionary Group who didn't have any family in town for Christmas. We went for the Concert (at 11 pm) before the Mass (at midnight). We were told to come "early" as by 10:15--the seats are gone. And at 10:30 pm--they almost were. This is the first time I have ever been to a Concert/Mass on Christmas Eve as I am usually with family reading and participating in our own Nativity. The organ is beautiful and the music while unfamiliar, very beautiful and almost majestic. There are so many grand Churches just like this all over New York and it is good to see that there are good people everywhere who "Light the World" and "let their Light so shine before men. . . " I LOVE this time of year--there is a "thrilling, albeit brief" resurgence of a desire to leave materialism and reach out in seeing the need to "lift our Brothers (and Sisters) all over the World. Listening to this majestic music--makes me feel that right now--at this very moment--ALL oIS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD". . . And He will come again and IT WILL!! This I know!!
